In November 2011, Lomas signed a two-and-a-half year deal to manage Scottish Premier League side St Johnstone following the departure of Derek McInnes to English Championship team Bristol City. Shortly after signing the deal to become first team manager he was joined by former Northern Ireland goalkeeper and Lisburn Distillery manager Tommy Wright who had agreed to join the club as an assistant to Lomas.[14] In his first season as manager of St Johnstone, Lomas took the club to a top 6 finish for the first time since 1999.[15]