Next St Johnstone captain candidates assessed: Who will replace Liam Gordon?

Several key leaders have departed from McDiarmid Park.

The list of St Johnstone captains since the club’s return to the Premiership is impressive, featuring a seamless transition from one leader to the next. The line of succession from Jody Morris to Dave Mackay, Dave Mackay to Steven Anderson, Steven Anderson to Joe Shaughnessy, Joe Shaughnessy to Jason Kerr, and Jason Kerr to Liam Gordon has exemplified a decade-and-a-half of natural leadership progression. Each captain, while different in style, has been a notable leader.

However, there is now a vacancy. With Gordon moving from McDiarmid Park to Fir Park, his stand-in skipper Dan Phillips, and other influential figures such as Andy Considine, Ryan McGowan, and Dimitar Mitov also departing, there is no clear candidate for the captaincy.

Courier Sport evaluates the potential options –

Stevie May

When it comes to being steeped in St Johnstone culture, no one at the club can match May. He has won three cups and played alongside all the captains mentioned above, except for Shaughnessy, earning the respect of both current and former players, young and old alike.

However, May wasn’t a regular starter under Craig Levein last season and was even offered the opportunity to leave on loan in January. Any new captain will need to be as close to an automatic pick as possible.

Drey Wright

The Englishman isn’t a traditional, vocal captain like Gordon. However, he is a strong presence in the dressing room, communicates well with the media, and is likely to play many games this season if he remains injury-free.

Remember, a certain right-sided full-back performed admirably as captain under Steve Lomas and Tommy Wright, didn’t he?

Sven Sprangler

The Austrian checks several boxes. He is a consummate professional on the training ground, setting high standards with his dedication and work ethic. Sprangler’s playing style, marked by his willingness to throw himself into tackles, resonates well with both teammates and fans. He embodies enthusiasm and passion.

However, there are questions about whether Sprangler might be too nice a person to be skipper and if he lacks sufficient experience in Scottish football.

Graham Carey

The Irishman is likely the most vocal in-game presence currently at McDiarmid Park. He is a standard-setter and was instrumental in helping Saints maintain their top-flight status at the end of last season. Carey is expected to play many games this season as well. However, his most significant contributions have been in wide attacking positions, a role not commonly associated with team captains.

Nicky Clark

Clark can be discussed in the same terms as Carey when it comes to experience and presence. However, he operates in a part of the pitch that makes it difficult to communicate instructions across the team. Additionally, Clark’s recent injury record is a notable drawback.

Sam McClelland

 

The Northern Irishman needed a loan in the Championship to get first-team action in the second half of last season. However, a short spell with Dundee United has significantly boosted his status in Scottish football. McClelland made his debut for United in a top-of-the-table clash with Raith Rovers when the Tangerines’ title hopes were uncertain. He played a crucial role in helping Jim Goodwin’s side secure the title.

Levein has promised McClelland a chance to impress in pre-season, which he is now getting. The Northern Irishman has previously captained Chelsea youth teams and is the same age (22) as Kerr was when Wright chose him to succeed Shaughnessy as captain.

However, even if McClelland secures a starting spot for Saints, it is likely that his manager will want him to focus on his own game before considering him as a potential captain.

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