St Johnstone have confirmed the appointment of Steve Lomas as the club's new manager.
Former Northern Ireland international takes McDiarmid Park post
St Johnstone have confirmed the appointment of Steve Lomas as the club's new manager.
The former Northern Ireland international joins the SPL club on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
The Saints had been on the lookout for a new man at the helm after Derek McInnes departed for Championship strugglers Bristol City last month.
Ex-West Ham midfielder Lomas, 37, will be assisted by Tommy Wright, who has quit as manager of Lisburn Distillery.
Lomas played for the likes of Man City and QPR, but only has managerial experience with English non-league side St Neots Town.
Solid
Lomas spoke with Bolton boss Owen Coyle and McInnes about the job before accepting and only heard good reports about St Johnstone.
He has also thanked departing chairman Geoff Brown for showing faith in his services and he is looking to repay the club with results on the pitch.
"Speaking to Owen and Derek they sold it to me well," he told
Sky Sports News. "I think if you look at the club it's solid.
"Geoff has taken the chance on younger managers and I hope to repay that faith he's shown in me.
"It's a good, committed club with a stable background and I'm looking forward to it, I'm excited.
"He hasn't said anything, but obviously we want to stay in the SPL, push on and improve.
Ambition
"I'm ambitious. I'm sure the players are. We've got a good set of players.
"There's been a little bit of uncertainty, especially the St Mirren performance, but I'm sure the lads will be keen (against Aberdeen) on Monday night.
"There's a good mix of experience. I've played against a few. So there's good players.
"I'll say to the players that I'll take everyone at face value. What I like about the Scottish game is it's passionate, it's committed, there's an honesty about it and there's things that are my values and what I believe in."
