Scottish football: Tommy Wright, Mark O'Hara, Jamie MacDonald, Boyce, Alloa

BBC commentator Rob Maclean continues a regular series of articles with his observations from the second weekend of the Scottish league season.

Sustained success puts Wright on rivals' radar

St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright makes a point to his players during their win at Motherwell — Wright's Saints have finished sixth, fourth and fourth in his three full seasons in charge

What a success Tommy Wright has been at St Johnstone. The Perth club have done well to hold on to their manager as long as they have.

The former Newcastle, Manchester City and Northern Ireland goalkeeper was brought in as number two to Steve Lomas towards the end of 2011.

Wright has been in full charge for the last three years, a period which has seen Saints win their first major trophy [the 2014 Scottish Cup], finish in the top six every season and pull off some impressive wins in Europe.

Unbeaten in their final five games of last season, Saints have now extended that run by another seven matches (setting aside their penalty shoot-out defeat after a draw at Brechin in the League Cup) at the start of this campaign, their latest win coming at Motherwell on Saturday.

That sustained success, delivered on a carefully controlled budget, won't have gone unnoticed.

Wright might have slipped under the radar so far when the managerial search engines are switched on. That's hardly likely to continue.

Starlet O'Hara making advances at Dundee

There was an unmistakeable glint in Paul Hartley's eye when he spoke to me on Saturday about summer signing Mark O'Hara.

Mark O'Hara gestures to the referee with his arms open during dundee's defeat by Rangers — Something to shout about? O'Hara is thriving in a more advanced role

I got the distinct impression he couldn't quite believe Kilmarnock had allowed the 20-year-old to swap Rugby Park for Dens Park.

The Dundee manager has high hopes for the youngster who played mainly as a defender at Killie. Hartley is playing him higher up the pitch and his performance stood out at the weekend, even during a first half dominated by Rangers.

Dundee's problem at the moment, naturally enough after the departure of Greg Stewart and Kane Hemmings, is a lack of cutting edge.

Their much improved second-half showing didn't see them making or taking enough chances.

But one position with no current cause for concern is the one being very effectively filled by the promising O'Hara.

MacDonald is one of Scottish football's top keepers

One player Kilmarnock have done well to hold on to is Jamie MacDonald.

There are better teams in the Premiership with a less dependable goalkeeper. He continues to make the saves which allow Killie to pick up points.

Kilmarnock keeper Jamie MacDonald celebrates victory at Motherwell with Souleymane Coulibaly — Souleymane Coulibaly scored the winner at Motherwell but MacDonald was vital to Killie's win

Saturday at Hamilton was a perfect example. MacDonald made a few good saves, his reflex stop to deny Ali Crawford was outstanding and it prevented Lee Clark's team going two goals down.

That allowed goal-scorers Kris Boyd and the spectacular Souleymane Coulibaly to turn the game on its head. But even then, Accies could have denied Killie a badly-needed win.

Again it was that man MacDonald who came out on top in a one-to-one with 'Shaka' Roy.

Another crucial save by one of Scottish football's top keepers.

Boyce's NI Euros snub could benefit County

Liam Boyce was hardly too chuffed when he was left out of the Northern Ireland squad which punched above its weight at Euro 2016.

But Michael O'Neill's decision might have worked well for Ross County.

Think about what's happened to Boyce's compatriot Josh Magennis after the part he played in France during the summer. In came Charlton Athletic to make Kilmarnock the sort of offer they couldn't refuse.

The same could have happened to Boyce had he been involved at the European Championship. As it was, he kept a lower profile in the close season and that could be of big benefit to County if his weekend exploits are anything to go by.

His hat-trick won the Highland derby in Inverness on Saturday. One of his goals, sandwiched in between a couple of headers, was a left foot-right foot combo right out of the top drawer.

Boyce has bounced back after that international disappointment and, reunited up front with strike partner Craig Curran, he seems set for another prolific goalscoring campaign.

Wasps buzzing in League One

It's seven out of seven for League One leaders Alloa Athletic as their amazing winning run continues.

Alloa celebrate Jason Marr's winner against Inverness in the League Cup — Alloa have won all five League Cup games, and their first two League One matches

There's a real feel-good factor in the way manager Jack Ross and his side have kicked off the season and a clear determination to get back to the Championship at the first opportunity.

When Stranraer scored in the fourth minute at Stair Park on Saturday, it just seemed to make Alloa angry. Stung into action, the Wasps certainly created a buzz with a five-goal, first-half reply and an eventual 5-2 win.

They have now scored 20 goals so far this season and Premiership pair Ross County and Inverness have been among their victims en route to a League Cup quarter-final at Celtic Park next month.

Promotion is the top target and Alloa are in a competitive league, but they are off to a stunning start.