TOMMY WRIGHT is not a man to be messed with and under-estimating him would be equally foolish.

The St Johnstone manager has a way of looking at you which puts the fear of God into even the bravest. The big fella from Belfast knows football and for three years now has got the very best out of his squad. His players do not want to let him down and rarely do.

His club have finished, sixth, fourth and fourth again. They have won a Scottish Cup, beaten Celtic and Rangers, won their first ever away European game, against Rosenberg, and play with a spirit many other teams would kill for.

This all comes from Wright who signed a long-term contract in October when Dundee United came calling and who has now being linked with the vacant Nottingham Forest job. No offence to St Johnstone who are a shining example of how a Scottish football club should be run, but they are lucky to have the 52-year-old former goalkeeper.

Wright gets frustrated on behalf of his players because they don’t get the recognition for their achievements – he is right about that – but it is a puzzle why the manager seems left out when any praise is dished about.

Look at his record. What else could the guy do at that particular club? What would happen if Forest or someone else could tempt him away?

"Tommy is massive to the success that we have achieved here,” said St Johnstone captain Brian Easton. “When he took over at the club we had undergone a couple of good seasons and everyone was waiting for us to drop off. Tommy has taken us from strength to strength.

"He is just huge for St Johnstone. He has a great relationship with the media, the supporters and the players and his staff. We have a great management team and they are massive to everything that we have achieved here.”

Dundee United seem to have been the only ones to make an official move for Wright who it has to be said made the correct decision to body swerve that one.

St Johnstone had a good record of getting their managers big moves, Owen Coyle, Derek McInnes and Steve Lomas, all went to England but the current incumbent has been ignored so far.

"I am very surprised that Tommy has not been linked with jobs and that more clubs are not sniffing around him,” said Easton. “I don't know why Tommy has not been linked with jobs before but maybe it is because he is the manager of an unfashionable club like St Johnstone and he tends to get overlooked.

"I think Tommy just needs somebody to take a fancy to him and it is just the same as a player. If somebody takes a liking to you then moves can happen easily.

“It does surprise that there has not been more interest in Tommy; however that is a good thing for St Johnstone. This is a great place to come in and work and that shows in the character and belief that we have got in the dressing room.

"Tommy has instilled real character and fighting spirit within the whole squad.”

If Wright stays beyond this summer then it will be good for the Perth club and also Scottish football.

For the past two seasons they have been the team’s fourth best side and have yet to lose a match after split. Aberdeen and Hearts should improve and hope to challenge Celtic and there is, of course, Rangers to come into the equation. If the Northern Irishman remains at McDiarmid Park then the Saints will continue to march onwards and upwards.

Easton said: “I hope he does stay but if he did end up going elsewhere and moving on then everyone would be happy for him and want him to do well. I am sure he would.”

Wright didn’t recoil at the idea of a move to Nottingham when he was asked about it after Sunday’s draw at Tynecastle and while that club has had some difficulties in recent times, it would surely be a temptation.

"Nottingham Forest have got great resources and that could help Tommy out and it is also one of his former clubs,” said Easton. “It is what Tommy could bring to a club.

"Not everyone can do the man-to-man management like him and get the most out of all the players, which is half the battle.

"Some of the tactical victories we have had this season like Rangers at Ibrox in the League cup were manufactured on the training ground. That gives you an insight into both sides of his managerial style. Hopefully he sticks around for a wee while yet.”