Mannus ‘can look after’ AC Milan star

Clark backs former Saints stopper to defy legend in glamour tie with AC Milan

St Johnstone goalie Zander Clark says there isn’t a striker out there who would faze Alan Mannus – including the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The two keepers have remained friends since their days battling to be Saints’ No 1.

Clark has a comeback from injury to look forward to with the Perth side on the return from the international break, while Mannus will be gearing up for Shamrock Rovers’ glamour Europa League clash with Italian giants AC Milan.

And anybody who thinks that the sight of Swedish superstar Ibrahimovic racing through on goal would make him crumble doesn’t know the man or his mentality.

Clark said: “It would be another scalp for Alan to add to his collection because he’s had a few at St Johnstone.

“Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in there for Milan.

“It will be great for Alan to come up against someone of that calibre.

“But there are not many folk I wouldn’t back big Al against. I’m sure he can look after Zlatan.”

There isn’t a striker out there who would faze Alan Mannus, according to Zander Clark.

And that includes the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The two goalkeepers have remained friends since their days battling to be the St Johnstone number one.

Clark has a comeback from injury to look forward to with Saints on the return from the international break, while Mannus will be gearing up for Shamrock Rovers’ glamour Europa League clash with Italian giants AC Milan.

That the Northern Irish international is the epitome of calm and composure was apparent when he stepped up to convert a penalty in the Dublin shootout that saw off Finnish club Ilves in the last round.

And anybody who thinks that the sight of pony-tailed Swedish legend, Ibrahimovic, racing through on goal in the famous black and red stripes would make him crumble doesn’t know the man or his mentality.

“I suppose you never expect to come up against a side like AC Milan,” said Clark.

“It’s the magic of the draw and hopefully they can pull off a result.

“It would be another scalp for Alan to add to his collection because he’s had a few at St Johnstone.

“These games are chances to play against some top players.

“Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in there for

Milan.

“It will be great for Alan to come up against someone of that calibre. But there are not many folk I wouldn’t back big Al against.

“I’m sure he can look after Zlatan,” he said.

“It will be an occasion he is really looking forward to.

“Leaving Saints, he maybe didn’t think there would be another chance for a big memorable European night,” he added.

“I don’t imagine anyone outside Shamrock Rovers will be expecting them to win the game.

“But sometimes you can throw up a shock.

“I remember the buzz about our place when we were in the Europa League and drawn to play Rosenborg.

“It’s a great draw for Alan.

“It probably would’ve been a little better if it was at the San Siro.

“But I’m sure a lot of teams going into the draw would’ve wanted that tie,” he said.

Mannus was familiar with Europa League penalty shoot-outs from his time in Perth but none were as dramatic as the Tallaght Stadium marathon of last week.

It reached 9-9 before the 38-year-old had to take one himself, scoring and then saving from Eemili Raittenen to give Joey O’Brien the opportunity for glory, which he took.

“I spoke to big Al straight after their game,” said Clark.

“There are not many goalkeepers who can say they have scored in the Europa League.

“To then save the penalty to give his team the chance to win it was just brilliant.

“He sounded a bit like Ando! I’d asked him how his nerves were when he hit the penalty and he replied he was just angry that he hadn’t saved one until that point.

“He stepped up and there was no hesitation. He was smashing it. It was foot straight through it and nearly bursting the net.”

Clark, meanwhile, is hoping to play in a bounce game against Dundee United this weekend after enduring coronavirus, then injury-enforced absence.

“Being a big daft goalie, I had a tight hamstring from all the running I was trying to achieve,” he said.

“I took a few days off at the start to get a bit of strength built back into that.

“I worked my way back into training but then picked up the injury. We assessed it and it became apparent it wasn’t going to be short-term.

“It’s the magic of the draw and hopefully they can pull off a result. It would be another scalp for Alan to add to his collection because he’s had a few at St Johnstone. ZANDER CLARK