St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright is keen to bring in a head of recruitment at McDiarmid to help take the club forward.
The manager has put a proposal to chairman Steve Brown showing how a revamp of the scouting system would benefit Saints both now and in the longer term.
Financial considerations still have to be fully weighed up but Wright is hoping that if the green light is given, the club will reap similar rewards to those enjoyed by Motherwell in recent seasons.
The McDiarmid manager said: “I have been speaking to the chairman and we are looking at the scouting system.
“He has been positive about it and it’s something I would like to get in place.
“I would like us to have a head of recruitment because we don’t have that at the moment.
“I can understand why we don’t because it’s a cost but I am making the case that over time the long-term benefits will outweigh that.
“It’s my job to set that case out and show how it’s beneficial.”
Wright added: “We have managed until now without a proper scouting system but it’s about taking the club forward.
“At the moment we are relying on using our contacts to watch players for us and help us bring people in.
“Ideally, what I would like is someone down south looking at League One, League Two and the levels below that so we have eyes on players all the time.
“I have put the proposal in and the chairman likes it – it’s about improving the club.
“We have worked hard to improve the medical side and the sports science side over the years, now it’s about focusing on the recruitment aspect.
“Other clubs have it, Motherwell are a great example when you look at the players they have brought in from down south.
“They have brought them up, done well with them and sold them on when the time is right.
“What we want is to put a structure in place for the long term, so it’s not about me jumping up and down demanding to get something.
“If we get the proper system in place it will benefit me, the manager after me and the manager after him as well.
“Obviously it’s something that will cost money but I really think it will pay for itself in the end.”
St Johnstone all but secured their Premiership safety with their narrow win over Hamilton at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night.
While there are still important games left in this campaign, the Accies result has now allowed Wright to turn part of his focus to next season and attempting to have his squad in place sooner rather than later.
The manager added: “The job is not done yet but the Hamilton result does give us breathing space and allows us to start looking forward.
“We don’t think we’re 100% safe but the position we are in should give the chairman a bit of certainty.
“Over the next few weeks we will start getting players re-signed and get working on people for next season.
“I would like to get some business done before the end of May so we know what we’re working with.
“Ideally, we will get at least two players done quickly because I don’t think it suits us to wait.
“I have been meeting with the chairman and we know which areas we want to strengthen.
“Irrespective of whether we make the top six or not, there is still the basis of a really good squad here.
“What we need to do is add a bit more quality to take it up that level.”
