St Johnstone striker Steven MacLean insists it has been business as usual at McDiarmid Park despite boss Tommy Wright being heavily linked with the vacant manager’s job at Dundee United.
Wright’s proven track record of success at St Johnstone has made him one of the favourites in the opinion of the bookies to take over from Jackie McNamara at Tannadice.
However, MacLean is hoping his boss will be going nowhere.
He said: “We have had a few wind-ups and a laugh with the gaffer about it. He has taken it well. But really it has been business as usual.
“We understand why he is being linked with jobs that come up. What more could he have done for St Johnstone? He has won a Scottish Cup and got us into the top six and Europe.
“His record is second to none when you look at the budget he works with here.
MacLean added: “He has done a fantastic job. We know he will be linked with jobs but no disrespect to Dundee United, I’d expect teams in England will be looking at what he has done here.
“It means he is doing something right and that the players are doing well. It is good all-round for the club.
“The gaffer is under contract. Saints don’t want to lose him so it might be a good idea to get him tied down on a longer contract. That way at least they will get decent compensation if he goes.
“But the players definitely don’t want to see him go. He has brought most of us here and you can see the way we are playing for him.”