Scottish Cup hero Mannus will quit Saints this summer

Another of St Johnstone’s Scottish Cup-winning heroes will be leaving in the summer – goalkeeper Alan Mannus.

On the back of the news that Steven Maclean has signed a pre-contract with Hearts, Perth boss Tommy Wright has confirmed that Mannus will also depart after his current deal runs out.

The Northern Irishman has spent seven seasons at Mcdiarmid Park, making over 200 appearances, and has now decided to return home.

“I spoke to Alan about a month ago and he told me then of his desire to go back to Ireland with his family,” said Wright.

“After seven seasons with the club he decided that the time was right to go back there to live and to continue his career.”

Wright continued: “He’s a model professional who has helped our younger goalkeepers enormously and he’s been a shining example to them.

“I think it’s safe to say that over the past few years he’s been in the top three or four goalkeepers in Scotland and he’s done tremendously well for the football club. He’s played a major part in what’s been a successful period in the club’s history and he was a key player in our Scottish Cup-winning campaign.

“I think he’s definitely one who will be remembered in the St Johnstone history books as one of the club’s great goalkeepers.

“I think he should definitely be up there in the class of legends for what he has done over seven seasons here.

“I’d like to go on record with my thanks to Alan for everything he has done for St Johnstone Football Club and for me.

“We wish him all the best in the future and he will always be welcome here at Mcdiarmid Park.”

Twitter: @C_enicolson

Alan Mannus: Wright feels he should be in class of legends.