Alan is keeping Zander on toes

ST JOHNSTONE goalkeeper Zander Clark knows he has to keep on doing well to keep his place.

T h a t ’s b e c a u s e a n international keeper i s waiting in the wings to take over between the posts.

Illness to Northern Ireland goalie Alan Mannus led to Zander getting his chance in the first team and having Saints’ Scottish Cup-winning goalie breathing down his neck ensures the current firstchoice stopper is doing his best to stay in top form.

“I had a patient wait to get into the side as Alan is a tremendous keeper,” said Zander.

“It’s unfortunate for him an illness let me in but I’ve been pleased with the form I have shown.

“Since I became No 1, Alan has been back in the Northern Ireland side and that is keeping me on my toes.”

Zander (24) has been with Saints since 2008 and has had loan spells at Elgin City and QOS.

“It was Tommy Campbell who brought me into Saints and I’m enjoying my time here.

“Derek McInnes and Tony Docherty were good to me during their time here but I will be doing my best to upset them when we face Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday.

“I have played i n a winning Saints team at Aberdeen before and hope to have that feeling again on Saturday.”

Saints are regular top-six finishers and t hey are presently lying fifth with Aberdeen j ust ahead of them.

As well as doing well again in the Premiership, the Perth men are looking to go far in the Scottish Cup.

They face Stenhousemuir at home and, although the game is a few weeks away, Zander is looking forward to facing the Warriors at McDiarmid Park.

“It will be a tough game as it is never easy against a lower-league side,” he said.

St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark.