IT was easy to operate in the shadow of Steve Lomas over the past 18 months.

The Northern Irishman was a domineering presence around St Johnstone, even if he spent as much time as possible with his family in England. Yet on the days the manager was away from Perth, another more understated personality was making friends and influencing people.

Tommy Wright might not have been as prominent as his compatriot but his work as assistant manager was valued by those within the club, particularly chairman Steve Brown. So when Lomas returned to London to assume control at Millwall, there was an obvious candidate to replace him already on the Perth payroll.

Not only were St Johnstone collecting compensation and saving on Lomas' wage – Wright's assistant Callum Davidson was already on the playing staff – but they were also getting a man who could continue the accomplished work done at McDiarmid Park last term but perhaps do so without a little of the baggage that accompanied Lomas. Indeed, the former Northern Ireland goalkeeper's observation that "there always seems to be a manager getting into trouble and something with referees," could have been a direct reference to his predecessor.

That aside, it is hard to imagine Wright will change a successful setup. The 49-year-old may not have been the architect of the strategy that earned St Johnstone a third-place finish in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League last season but he was, more often than not, the man charged with implementing it in Lomas' absence. Also, Wright is experienced enough to appreciate the value of continuity.

"I've worked at all levels, which might be important for this club," he said, having cut short a holiday in Portugal to be unveiled yesterday. "I've been a youth development officer; I've managed part-time clubs; I've worked at Championship level in England at Norwich City; I've worked at international level; I've had 18 months in the SPL. I've worked under strict budgets. I've also improved the contacts I have up here over the last 18 months and improved my knowledge of the game so I think I'm well prepared."

So, too, are St Johnstone. Amid a summer in which both Hearts and Dunfermline Athletic are in administration, and Kilmarnock are engaged in a bitter boardroom dispute, St Johnstone continue to serve as a model of fiscal restraint. Brown has continued the work of his father, Geoff, in that regard and reiterated his commitment to that yesterday as he surveyed the wider Scottish football landscape.

Many managers, particularly new ones keen to make an impression, would rail against such prudence but Wright insists it is an attractive quality. "What I like is that it's a stable club run in the right way," he said. "You know we won't over spend. Every manager wants more money and I'll be no different, but I've built a relationship with the chairman and I understand where he's coming from. He'll give me the support he can within a budget and I think that's only right. He knows I won't be an easy touch for him. I'll push him for players but it will be within the guidelines of what we can spend. We're in a better position than we were last year so we won't be forced into panic buying."

With 16 players already signed for the coming campaign, Wright can afford to be relaxed. He confirmed Rowan Vine and David McCracken have left the club, but Gregory Tade is taking up the option of an extra year and Paddy Cregg has also been offered new terms.

Whether Richard Brittain will join them remains unclear. Until he is told otherwise, Wright is expecting the midfielder to report for pre-season training in little over a week but insists the decision is not in his hands. Brown, too, claimed the situation has reached a stage where jurisdiction has moved away from either St Johnstone or Ross County, who confirmed that the 29-year-old is back on their payroll having signed a new contract and been registered with the Scottish Premier League.

If the stalemate continues, the risk of court action remains, along with the potential for a landmark ruling regarding the validity of pre-contract agreements. That, says Brown, means it is a matter for the authorities to rule on. "We are still speaking to Ross County but we are looking for the authorities to make a decision," he said. "From our point of view, you can put the technicalities and legalities to one side. Morally, he committed to us.

"I was hoping we could agree amicably but I can't as chairman rip up a pre-contract. That would set a dangerous precedent. Someone will have to tell me that I have to release Richie Brittain, I will not be doing that voluntarily. In my eyes that would be gross stupidity. If he is not to be a St Johnstone player, we'd like to be told by the authorities."