Zander has Scot the lot
Keeper tipped for international call-up after stunning display
Liam Craig reckons it is only a matter of time before St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark is handed international recognition.
The McDiarmid midfielder watched the Perth stopper shine in the Highlands in Wednesday evening’s 1-1 draw with Ross County.
Clark proved to be the star of the show with a second half double-save which left supporters wondering how the ball avoided the back of the net.
Now Craig has backed Saints’ number one to make the step up to represent his country.
He said: “Zander made two saves and Richard Foster cleared one off the line. You are expecting the boy to score - time seemed to stop.
“Before you can react Zander has made some unbelievable saves. It was brilliant from the big man, who has been excellent for us this season.
“You look at who has been inthe Scotland squads. Craig Gordon is the obvious one and Allan McGregor and David Marshall have had great careers.
“Young Jack Hamilton got in the squad last season and Zander is definitely on par with these goalkeepers.
“You go back to when he was at Queen of the South. You had Hibs, Hearts and Craig (right) believes Clark (far left) deserves international recognition
Rangers in what was a tough league.
“He was excellent for them when they got into the playoffs.
“He has been doing it now for three years consistently and is still young. You saw on Wednesday night that he has all the attributes.
“If he keeps progressing the way he is then there is no reason why he shouldn’t be getting spoken about, if not getting into squads. “You need to give a lot of credit to Alan Mannus and goalkeeping coach Paul Mathers, even Mark Hurst,
young Ben
McKenzie and Ross Sinclair.
“We have four or five really good goalkeepers who push each other on every day.
“You can see it is paying off in games. Zander was called upon more on Wednesday than he was over the last two games and he was excellent.
“He definitely deserves international recognition, whether that is to be in the squad training or full caps. If he keeps progressing it will only be a matter of time.”
Craig helped Saints pick up a point at the Global Energy Stadium midweek and insisted that a draw against the Staggies is not a bad result.
“After the goal we were decent for a spell but they started to put long balls into the box to put us under pressure,” he said. “But we always looked dangerous on the break.
“They got the penalty but we had our chances. Macca was just offside for the goal and Mikey was causing
Fellow players have been delighted with Clark’s form
Ross County.
“Now we want to go into the break with a win in the derby.
“We’d been inconsistent for a while but that’s three decent results in a row.”
A reaction double-save in the second half helped keep Saints on track.
Clark remembered:“It was a bit of a stramash. That’s for sure.
“I got a touch on the first shot then Fozzy did
brilliantly. When it came back off the post I was like a dog chasing its tail.
“I think Joe got a block then I spread myself and it hit my leg. It’s about a reaction for the third one, which hit my arm.
“Goalies will always say ‘that’s our job’. It’s the reaction saves that we train for.
“I’m glad I could help us get the point.” problems down the right hand side.
“We were disappointed not to get a goal when we were on top.
“It’s never bad to come up to Ross County and get a point. We’re not far away, compared to this time last year, in terms of points return.”
Saints welcome rivals Dundee to McDiarmid Park on Saturday for what will be the club’s final game of the year.
Craig concluded: “We have a home game on Saturday and it’s important to build on recent results.
“Going into the break, it would be great to get the three points and still have a game in hand on most of the other teams.
“The league doesn’t lie but at the same time Dundee’s performances have been good this season. When you watch them they play decent football.
“It’s always a tough game in the derbies. We know how difficult it is going to be but we’ll have a plan to win the game.
“If we can get the three points it will cap off a decent start to the season going into the break.”