Drey Wright believes St Johnstone CAN dodge dreaded play-off on Survival Sunday as he draws on Colchester great escape
Saints wide man insists Craig Levein's men have it all to play for at Motherwell on Sunday.
Drey Wright will never forget the scenes when Colchester United survived relegation thanks to a goal eight minutes from the end of their final game of the season. It was the ultimate great escape - and a lesson for St Johnstone wide man Wright that where there is a will there is always a way.
Wright was an injured member of the Colchester squad for that League One clash with Preston in May 2015 which began with the U’s three points from safety, needing a win and favours elsewhere. But he watched from the stands as George Moncur slammed home an 82nd minute winner to spark a pitch invasion and scenes that will live with him forever.
Scenes that the 29-year-old is desperate to help recreate on Sunday when Saints visit Motherwell knowing they need three points - and for Ross County to avoid beating Aberdeen - to stage their own dramatic late escape from the dreaded Premiership play-off.
A 90th minute equaliser in Wednesday’s night’s clash between the two relegation threatened sides has kept St Johnstone in the fight. And Wright, charged by memories of the U’s survival nine years ago, can’t wait to play a part this time round. He said: “Can you enjoy it? Yeah, definitely.
“I have played in post-split games before where you’re secure and nothing is on the line, and it’s a dead rubber so you go through the motions. So having something to play for makes it exciting, there’s plenty to play for.
“We had an unbelievable last day at Colchester one year. We beat Preston - who eventually won the play-offs - on the final day to stay up.
“I wasn’t involved because I was injured, but I was at the game and it was great scenes. Hopefully it’s similar scenes on Sunday.
“We scored really late on, George Moncur scored it and there’s a clip of our goalie Sam Walker looking over to the dugout giving a thumb’s up because of scores elsewhere. There were fans running on the park and all sorts.
“Will we want to know what’s happening in the Ross County game? If we’re two goals up maybe! But for us it’s simple - we have to win. It’s out of our hands and we can’t affect anything they do. All we can do is try to take care of the job we’ve got and then see what happens. If County draw and we win we’re safe as well, so hopefully that puts some pressure on them.”
Adama Sidibeh’s late equaliser in Perth on Wednesday robbed County of the chance to secure survival with a game to spare. They now face an in-form Aberdeen on Sunday knowing they might have to win.
And Wright said: “Seeing their faces coming off the park, that was a massive blow to them. In the last minute of the game safety was snatched from them and hopefully that plays on their mind on Sunday.
“I can’t speak for the characters in their dressing-room but we’re hoping it was a big psychological blow. “They went from looking comfortable because we were not creating many chances and being safe, to suddenly having to do it all again on Sunday. Hopefully the way things worked out plays in our favour.”
Wright only returned from knee surgery, that had saw him sidelined since October, in time for the post-split fixtures.
But his experience could be crucial for Craig Levein as Saints scrap to save their top flight skins. He said: “I’m tired and sore but happy to be back and part of it.
“Obviously you’d prefer to come back with the team in different circumstances but I’m just glad to be able to help now. I am feeling good, feeling fit and feel like I am capable of making an impact on games.
“We are very confident. If we can bring the same energy we brought to the last two games we’ll give ourselves a chance.
“The County game showed character by going right to the end. Obviously it’s out of our hands now but it happens in football all the time, there’s no reason why we can’t win our game and they drop points.”