Wright said: "He's had other interest from other clubs but I think there was only one place he was ever going to come back to and that was us, because he played his best football here and we seemed to be able to got the best out of him when others couldn't.

"We are pleased we have got him on a long-term contract.

"We did try and get him when he was leaving Rangers but he wanted to try something different. It hasn't worked out at Melbourne but hopefully we will be the ones that will gain from that.

"He is looking fit and as soon as we get international clearance he will be involved."

Danny Swanson is another player who has signed for Saints three times while not hitting the same heights with both Hearts and Hibernian. And the much-travelled Tony Watt appears to have discovered a place he can call home at McDiarmid Park with eight goals to his name since his summer arrival.

"We try to treat them in the right way and encourage them just to enjoy their football, enjoy their training and work hard," Wright said.

"There is a real togetherness in the group as well, there always has been here.

"Maybe the fact we are a smaller club, we do everything the best we can in terms of finance, but I think the players appreciate what we do for them. It just seems certain players do well here, and hopefully that continues."

Wright will hope that appreciation continues with Joe Shaughnessy after Aberdeen confirmed they had offered the Saints skipper the chance to return to Pittodrie when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Wright said: "There is still work to be done in this window. There are players we are talking to about extended contracts and we are always on the lookout for new recruits."

Meanwhile, Wright admitted the William Hill Scottish Cup fifth-round draw was not ideal after they were handed a trip to Celtic Park.

"They will be favourites for it but it's a cup game, so we will wait and see. The only disappointing thing from the draw our point of view, and probably from their point of view, is we play each other three times in 10 or 11 days.

"But it is what it is, I'd rather be playing Celtic away than having a free weekend."

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