Tommy Wright has admitted that defending his reputation on the back of criticism from a player’s wife is a career first.
And the St Johnstone manager claimed that pop star Amy MacDonald’s version of her husband Richard Foster’s exit from McDiarmid Park was “so far from the truth as you could possibly get”.
Speaking on the BBC’s Off the Ball radio programme on Saturday, MacDonald suggested Foster had been punished by Wright over “nothing”, describing him as being “hot-headed” and that he had “had a bit of meltdown” and “threw his toys out of the pram”.
Wright had thought the Foster episode, which ended with a hand-shake and the defender’s departure to Ross County, was over.
But the weekend comments have prompted him to have his say.
“The show she was on markets itself as petty and ill-informed, so they certainly got both of that last weekend,” said Wright.
“It was petty and it was certainly ill-informed, it was so far from the truth as you could possibly get.
“One of the staff listened to it and said it had the feel of a schoolboy running home saying the big, bad teacher had been shouting at him.
“But more often than not in those situations, when you find out more about it they’ll see there was a lot more to it than that.
“It wasn’t a normal, everyday incident and it wasn’t the first incident.
“If that was normal, I wouldn’t have any players because none of them would be here.
“But if Mrs Foster wants to think that then fair enough. I’ll not get involved in a spat with her.
“Richard has quite openly admitted that his temper has got him in bother before with managers at other clubs.
“I’m just the latest one in that so I don’t think we can all be wrong.
“Managers have to deal with a lot these days, criticism from pundits, supporters and fans of other clubs.
“But it’s reaching new levels when a former player’s wife is having a go at you!
“I thought it was done with, Richard and I shook hands and he’s moved on to another club.
“I did what I thought was right for this club and I actually think moving on was right for him too.
“So as far as I was concerned it was done and dusted.
“I had a good relationship with Richard, I probably did more one-to-ones with him than any player I have ever managed.
“But if believing what she believes keeps her happy, then I’ll take full responsibility for it.
“Will I lose any sleep over it? Absolutely none.”
