I knew Zander would Goalkeeping coach Mathers full of praise for cup hero Clark
“Right then, what are we saying about the penalty kicks?”
Goalkeeper coach Paul Mathers put the question across to Zander Clark as a smile started to appear on both of their faces.
Seconds before, Clark had helped create one of the most dramatic moments in the history of the Scottish Cup. Scottish football.
The towering shot-stopper’s 122nd-minute headed assist – you read that correctly – had just helped to haul St Johnstone level at Ibrox.
Chris Kane was the man to tap over the line but Clark was off doing laps of the pitch in celebration, arms out, disbelief all around.
It was jump off the sofa, slide around the living room and watch on repeat for the rest of your life kind of stuff.
For all the drama, excitement and laughter, suddenly Clark had to get himself back down to earth for a penalty shootout.
“The whistle went 30 seconds later,” Mathers recalls. “But he was so focused and calm. It was actually surprising how calm he was.”
With the adrenaline surely still pumping around Clark’s body, he denied James Tavernier’s opening penalty and Rangers were in trouble.
He would later get down quickly to deny Kemar Roofe and Saints were in dreamland all over again.
“We went through a few things and fortunately it went Zander’s way,” Mathers said.
“Steven Gerrard put Jermaine Defoe on and I was pretty certain where he was going to go with his penalty.
“It was unfortunate we didn’t save that one too. You do the analysis. And sometimes you just get a feeling.
“It’s a big debate with penalty kicks. Is it a lottery, bad luck, good luck, this or that?
“At the end of the day we’ve been involved in two penalty shootouts this year and won two. Zander has now produced four saves in them.
“That is a good ratio and, on the flipside, the four we hit against Rangers were just great.”
Ali McCann struck the winning kick beyond Allan McGregor and the Perth party erupted. Saints danced on the field of play.
When celebrations eased and with a semi-final place stunningly secure, attention turned back to Clark’s extra-time header.
“We were looking at it and looking at it,” Mathers laughed. “Was it going to hit the outside of the post, inside of the post?
“Do we practise headers? Not at all. Never.
“There is a video from behind the goal and I think it shows his header was going in. But Kano made sure.
“What surprised us was that he stood in the middle of the six-yard box on his own.
“Usually the goalkeeper would be right in amongst everyone else. But he was standing all on his own.
“I always try to stay quite calm.
But I did give a few shouts when the goal went in.
“I remember seeing Callum Davidson and Steven MacLean celebrating. They were actually quite close to headbutting each other.
“Me and Alex [Cleland] are the calm ones on the coaching staff. The manager and Macca can get a little more boisterous.
“It’s still all a bit surreal. We’re having these great times but without the fans there. Imagine they were at Ibrox?
“The feeling in the dressing room after the game, you can’t beat those. The players and the staff have worked hard for it.”
It should not, of course, be forgotten just how special a performance Clark produced in