Clark delighted to extend stay

ST JOHNSTONE goalkeeper Zander Clark has signed a two-year extension to his existing contract, securing his future at McDiarmid Park until 2020.

Zander has been with Saints since 2008 and has made the big breakthrough to first-team football this season.

The 24-year-old has played in all bar seven of Saints’ senior games this season and earned fine reviews for his performances between the sticks with Saints manager TommyWright championing him for Scotland honours.

Zander said: “I’m delighted to get this done. The club has been good to me and I’m grateful to have this sort of security and peace of mind.

“This season has f ar exceeded my expectations.

“I had hoped to try to get into the team but to have managed 30 starts is very pleasing for me.

“However, I’ m taking nothing for granted. With his second-half display against Motherwell at Fir Park l ast Saturday, Alan Mannus reminded everyone what a great keeper he is.

“I’ll need to stay focused if I want to retain my place in the team.”

Meanwhile, Steven Anderson and David Wotherspoon should be fit enough to be considered for t he game away t o Hamilton a week on Saturday. They have been out injured lately.

However, on medical advice, Steven MacLean will not play on Hamilton’s artificial surface.

Michael Coulson, whose first season with Saints has been a stop-start affair mainly due t o i njuries, played i n the 2-1 home Development League defeat from Aberdeen as he continued his way back to match fitness.

Craig Thomson, back at Saints after a loan spell at Stranraer, also played.

Greg Hurst netted the Saints goal.

St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark.