Zander has to be at the top of his game
Kevin backs Perth keeper
Kevin Cuthbert realises everyone needs to pull their weight when coming up against a team of Celtic’s class.
And the former St Johnstone shotstopper, who has recently opened up a new gym in Perth, knows how important Zander Clark can be this Sunday.
Cuthbert played more than 100 games for the club and reckons the current Saints No.1 can play a key role in achieving a positive result.
Ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at McDiarmid Park, he said: “You know if you play your part, it gives the team a right chance.
“When you are playing these type of games, you need a big performance from your goalie.
“You are going to be under pressure and it’s not going to be a game that you win comfortably. It’s always going to be difficult.
“You prepare for that and know it’s coming. Zander was just a young lad when I left. I think he was only a schoolboy.
“He has done well this season. Ultimately, playing week in week out at a club – and playing well – gives you a springboard.
“He is big lad and has been in the first team now for a few years. You do your job for the club and just focus on that.
“He is no longer an up-and-coming player, he is an established first team player and that brings its own responsibility.
“As a goalkeeper you are there to be shot at and blamed for mistakes, even if they aren’t yours. You have got to have thick skin.
“The older you get and more experienced you get, the more you can deal with that.”
Cuthbert’s
Scottish Cup memories against Celtic date back to
2007 and a 2-1 semi-final defeat at Hampden.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had tumbled in the box early doors under pressure from Cuthbert and, while no contact was made, a penalty was given.
He tucked home the spot-kick before Martin Hardie brought Division One Saints level, only for Vennegoor of Hesselink to net a second-half winner.
“To be honest, I didn’t have the best game,” said Cuthbert. “At the time we were flying high at the top of the league.
“We got there and were underdogs. When you actually look back at our team that day, we had a lot of good players.
“Ultimately we were there right until the end. We gave a good account of ourselves.
“On another day we might have nicked into extra time and then you just never know what might have happened.
“You look back on your career and there are highs and lows.
“There are games you look back with pride and games you look back and think what if it had gone the other way.
“Back then we were taking out anybody. We beat Rangers, Dundee United and Dunfermline when they were top teams.
“For a period of time, St Johnstone were the side you didn’t want. We would always battle away.
“And I can’t ever think of us being run over the top of against a Premier League club. We always competed.
“For the club it was a really good couple of years and a good time. I think that squad built the foundation for the next three or four years.”
This Sunday, Celtic fans will occupy three stands of McDiarmid Park but Cuthbert still reckons Saints have the potential to cause an upset.
He said: “If you’ve got a club that will bring extra supporters and revenue, I don’t see the problem with it.
“It creates a better atmosphere and shows the league off better.
“St Johnstone are on a bit of form now so they probably aren’t fearing anyone, as much as Celtic are on fire.
“If anybody is going to do it, why wouldn’t it be St Johnstone?
“Cup competitions are great and Saints took an unbelievable support down to Ayr.
“It’s a sign that supporters look at the competition as one where there is always an opportunity to get to the latter stages.”
Now a personal trainer, Cuthbert has been mightily impressed by St Johnstone’s 10-year run in the top flight of Scottish football.
“St Johnstone have been going through a good 10-year period of being relatively successful,” he said.
“As much as they have been in the top six over the years, staying in the league is probably still job one on the to-do list.
“It can maybe be taken for granted that they are just going to stay in the league because they have done so well.
“They didn’t get off to the best start this season but have still got a chance of getting top six.
“For me, the fact they have never been in a relegation battle goes to show how strong a club they are at the minute.
“It’s really underestimated how good a job the manager has done.”