David Wotherspoon admits he breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Tommy Wright was staying at St Johnstone.
Wotherspoon’s career got back on track at McDiarmid Park after a mixed time at Hibs, with Wright moving for him not long after replacing Steve Lomas as Saints boss in the summer of 2013.
So it is little wonder that the 25-year-old was delighted when Wright turned his back on a switch to Dundee United despite being the Tangerines’ top target by agreeing a new four-year deal with the Perth side on Monday.
Wotherspoon said: “As a player you can’t worry too much about what is going to happen but it was a huge boost for me to hear that he is staying.
“The lads had a few laughs about the interest from United but we were wondering what was going to happen.
“I was also getting asked by fans about a potential move for the manager to United.
“They felt it would be more of a sidestep and maybe even a backwards move.
“They would have been disappointed if he had left, as would I have been.
“The manager was very keen on getting me from the start of his time in charge here. He was very positive.
“We have enjoyed a great understanding since I have been at Saints.
“He has given me a chance to play with freedom and emphasised that I should enjoy my football.
“In my first season I didn’t miss a game and, of course, we won the Scottish Cup and he has led us into Europe.
“He has a lot of qualities as a manager. He has an understanding of what players have to deal with.”