Tommy Wright has dismissed any suggestion that St Johnstone have made the top six “through the back door”.
The Perth club may have lost their last two pre-split fixtures, but that doesn’t diminish their achievement, the McDiarmid Park boss insisted.
And nor does Wright have any time for people who suggest that whether you finish the high or the low side of the cut line isn’t that important anyway.
“I’m sure there are a few clubs who would love to be in our position and are gutted,” he said.
“But ultimately after 33 games we have proved to be the fifth best team in the league. And people are forgetting we’re just one point off fourth.
“We’ve achieved it through hard work and some good play along the way.
“It’s grossly unfair to suggest we’ve come through the back door and relied on other teams. We haven’t.
“That’s five seasons in a row, which is the longest run in the top six. It’s also the longest run we’ve had staying in the league.
“There is a lot for the players to be proud of.
“I said at the start of the season that it would be tougher and it was. I hate saying it but I’ve been proved right.
“The radio was on in the bus on the way home. We heard how despondent some were about not making the top six.
“We would have been down but wouldn’t have seen it as an out and out failure.
“I wouldn’t say the targets set out with the club are unrealistic. But people need to take a look at times and think how well this squad of players have done.”
Wright added: “I watched Jim McIntyre’s interview after their game and saw what it meant to him.
“He’s first to recognise the investment they’ve had and the investment to get into the top six. So for us to do it again is incredible.
“It means a lot to clubs. The weekend was exciting.”
Wright admitted that a succession of early starts to the season as a result of European qualification have had an impact this campaign.
“We’ve come back on June 15 and have had to deal with a lot this year,” he said.
“Injuries are part and parcel of the game. I know that and fully expect that.
“But the number of injuries to key players has been unreal for us this season. That’s due to the success we’ve had and continually coming back early. It’s a big factor.
“The players should be proud and the supporters should be absolutely delighted with what the players have achieved.
“We’re experienced enough to manage the training. But mentally and physically there’s been a lot of demands on about 60 or 70 percent of the squad over five years.
“There has been very little time to recover.
“People will moan and tell them to do a proper day of work. But it’s tough being a professional footballer and putting your body on the line every week.
“It’s a great life, don’t get me wrong, but the demands put on our squad have been right up there with the likes of Celtic.
“I’m as happy as I’ve ever been with making top six. Last season I felt we could have done better and even now I felt we could have done better.
“But football and sport is all about ifs and buts. And that’s the beauty of it. The fact is we’re top six again and nobody can take that away.”