Clark extends stay at McDiarmid Park

St Johnstone yesterday tied-up keeper Zander Clark on a two-year contract extension keeping him at McDiarmid Park until May 2022.

The Perth No 1 has been in talks with the club since the end of last season.

Ironically, the contract extension was signed off after the giant goalie suffered the worst result in his professional career in a 7-0 thrashing from Celtic.

“It’s great to get my future settled,” said Clark, 27, who set a new top flight clean sheet record for the club with six in a row last term.

“I just want to kick on now. “Last year was the most football I have played and it was good in terms of clean sheets and results.

“It was the highlight of my career so far. Now I have to build on it.

“We have said before that results at Parkhead won’t define our season.

“But it was embarrassing for me and everyone involved.

“It’s probably the worst any of us have felt coming off the football pitch.

“You dwell on it Saturday night and Sunday but you have to regroup, have a good week’s training and get ready to go again.

“The Celtic result is in the past now and we have to focus on what lies ahead.

“We have to take care of results against teams round about us. That will stand us in good stead.

“We need a positive result against Livingston.”

Perth boss Tommy Wright welcomed Clark’s commitment to the cause.

“I’m delighted to get this sorted out. Zander fully deserves this contract extension,” said Wright.

“Zander probably won’t agree with me but it has dragged on a bit and maybe that has affected him a bit.

“But Zander was always adamant that he wanted to sign on again.

“Whatever the ins and outs, I am glad he has his future sorted out now and he will build on the form he showed for us last season. “It’s a massive boost for us. “As with Jason Kerr, the club has tried to hold on to players with value and invest in them.

“We have protected our assets and fans have to appreciate that comes at a financial cost.

“There was interest last season in Jason and I am sure it will return.

“It will be the same with Zander if he reproduces the form of last season.”