Wright expects improving keeper to be in demand

Tommy Wright has warned St Johnstone fans that keeper Zander Clark may not see out his extended contract with the Perth club.

The McDiarmid manager welcomed the 24-year-old’s decision to pen a new deal through to 2020. But Wright, a former keeper who was capped 31 times for Northern Ireland, believes Saints have a future Scotland cap in their ranks.

Wright said: “It’s another great piece of business by the club getting Zander signed on a long-term contract. We had been working on it for the last six or seven weeks.

“It’s great to have him signed-up but he may not see out the three years here because, if he continues to improve, I am expecting he will move on to a bigger club before 2020.

“He has already proved he has the right temperament, he is comfortable with the ball at either foot and he has the necessary stature for England.

“Zander has been a fine example for any young pro.

“He has gone out on loan, he has learned his trade and he has learned from his mistakes.

“Now he is at a stage of his career where he is playing at the top level in this country.

“He is developing into a top class goalkeeper.

“He is still young in terms of a goalkeeper and he is still on a learning curve. But Zander has a great attitude and he has all the attributes needed to go to the very top.

Wright noted that Clark had enjoyed several valuable mentors, including Northern Ireland internationalist Alan Mannus, who has been displaced as the Perth No 1 this season, despite still being part of Michael O’Neill’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers.

“Coaches Steve Banks and Paul Mathers have helped enormously and Zander feeds off Alan,” said the Saints manager.

“Working alongside a role model and international player like Alan has been great for Zander.”

With a string of players committing themselves to new deals since the turn of the year, Wright is hopeful that winger Danny Swanson will be next to sign on.

Swanson recently expressed concern at the time it was taking to agree a new contract but Wright remains optimistic that it will fall into place.

He said: “The pieces of the jigsaw are coming together. These things can take time.

“But I have always been confident in how we are going about our business.

“There has never been a fall-out with Swanny and I am still confident we will get something done with him.

“The summer will be an important time for us to go and try to attract a couple of jewels in the crown to keep the club progressing. We can’t afford to stand still because no one else is.”