St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright excited for new season
St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright is happy to get the new season up and running with a trip to Elgin City in the Betfred Cup on Saturday.
Saints' group in the revamped competition includes Falkirk, Brechin City, Stirling and this weekend's hosts from League Two.
After a final warm-up game against Livingston on Tuesday night, which ended 1-1, the Northern Irishman is keen for the real stuff to start at Borough Briggs.
Wright told the Perth club's official website: "We are looking forward to the game on Saturday - that will be the season started.
"It's an early start but it's good to get competitive matches going quickly, I think the players will enjoy that.
"In the pre-season games you can tend to overpass it a bit and we did that at times against Livingston.
"But I expect us to be a bit more ruthless on Saturday.
"It's a tough group, particularly in terms of having Falkirk in it who are one of the best sides in the Championship.
"It's a difficult group but I'm just pleased to have avoided playing on plastic pitches."
David Wotherspoon (wrist), Dave Mackay (hip) and Ally Gilchrist (pelvis) will not feature after missing pre-season matches at Glentoran and Livingston.
Midfielder Murray Davidson was taken off at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Tuesday night with a hamstring problem but is suspended.
Elgin have added Kyle Macleod to their squad after a loan deal for the striker to return to Borough Briggs was agreed with Ross County.
Manager Jim Weir is hoping Shane Sutherland, who has rejoined after a season with Peterhead, will help them pull off a shock in Group B.
Weir, who has no injury worries to contend with, said: "Shane has been great in pre-season and looks a more mature player than the one that left. He can take the game to them and that may work in our favour.
"It is a demanding game to open with however one we can look forward to."
Source: PAR
