TOMMY Wright last night rolled out the welcome mat for new Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
St Johnstone’s manager reckons his fellow countryman’s arrival at Parkhead can only be good for Scottish football.
And the Northern Irishman hopes Rangers land transfer target Joey Barton to provide a further boost to the profile of the SPFL.
Wright said: “It’s good for the league that a manager of Brendan’s quality is coming up. Celtic have taken their time and appointed a very good manager.
“It certainly doesn’t surprise me that a manager of Brendan’s calibre would want the job. Celtic are a massive club.
“This is a club he has ties to in terms of being a supporter but ultimately it is a great challenge for him.
“I’m sure he will have had assurances of a budget for players and I think we will see most clubs strengthen this summer.
“Brendan has already been linked with Steven Gerrard and Rangers are after Joey Barton. That is good for the game in general because they are big name players.
“They are great professionals and wouldn’t just be coming here for a final pay day if they do come to Scotland.
“With Rangers coming back, Celtic were always going to invest. And to be fair they backed Ronny Deila as well.
“They have a strong squad already. I would imagine some will leave but they will add real quality over the summer.”
Wright, who has tied-up young defenders Liam Gordon and Jason Kerr on new 12-month deals, believes the Scottish Cup final post mortem shouldn’t be allowed to ruin the feel good factor in Scottish football.
He said: “Looking beyond the cup final fall-out I think when the dust settles and we are looking at a new season then there will be every reason to be positive about the game here.
“There should be a feel-good factor about the game and what happened after the cup final shouldn’t be allowed to detract from it.
“There is more broadcasting money and, with Rangers coming back into the league, gates should increase.”
Wright, who is still chasing Falkirk midfielder Blair Alston, added: “For clubs like ours, with the league getting tougher next season, it is about getting the balance right in terms of the budget, strengthening the squad but without putting yourself in jeopardy financially.”
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