Tommy Wright insists he can continue to fulfil his ambitions at St Johnstone after signing an extended contract.

Wright this week signed a new deal that commits him to Perth until June 2019 after Saints rejected an approach from Dundee United to allow them to speak to the Northern Irishman.

The 52-year-old won the William Hill Scottish Cup in his first season as Saints boss, after stepping up to replace Steve Lomas, and followed that up with another top-six finish and European qualification last term.

And he believes he can continue to achieve in Perth rather than looking elsewhere.

"Some people have suggested that by staying that long that you're not ambitious, but I am," he said.

"If I can get St Johnstone in the top six every year, it's a great achievement. Getting to semi-finals, getting to a final, possibly winning another cup.

"We are working hard at bringing young players through, we've 10 out on loan, and we're hoping at least some of them progress into the first team. So there's lots going on."

Wright, whose team are looking for a fourth consecutive win when they host Partick Thistle on Saturday, said: "I look at the changes from when I first came into the club in November '11 and how we have added to staff and how we do things like sport science, analysis and the medical team. When we came here we only had one physio and now we have two full-time physios.

"We have built up the club and it takes time, we are trying to build up something that will be sustainable for the next 10-15 years.

"We have a strong squad of players who are contracted and they are players who I think can continue to get me success on the pitch."