Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Tangerines have Clark in their sights to take over as new keeper
DUNDEE United are ready to make their move for St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark.
Clark, 29, is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and it is understood United have informed the Perth Saints of their intention to open talks with the player.
Tangerines No 1 Benjamin Siegrist is yet to commit his future to the club beyond this summer, while Trevor Carson is expected to join St Mirren in the coming months.
Should those departures come to pass, it would leave the Tannadice outfit with just Carljohan Eriksson and Jack Newman to select from between the sticks.
And Clark, who has also reportedly attracted interest from Aberdeen, is United’s prime target to strengthen their goalkeeping pool.
The news will come as a hammer blow — if not entirely unexpected — for St Johnstone fans.
Clark is a modernday McDiarmid Park legend, having made more than 200 appearances and played a pivotal role in their unprecedented Scottish Cup and Betfred Cup double last season.
However, it appears increasingly likely that he will pursue a new opportunity next term.
Clark’s challenge will be to ensure he leaves St Johnstone as a Premiership club, with Callum Davidson’s men seemingly condemned to a relegation play-off following a disappointing 1-0 defeat against St Mirren on Saturday.
Discussing his contract situation in December, he said: “That (contract talks) is all going on in the background.
“I let other people deal with it and I just focus on what I need to do.
“I just try to put in good performances and help get points on board for the team.
“That is enough for me. It’s not at the forefront of my mind. I will find out when anything happens.
“I am still a St Johnstone player and my full focus is on doing the best I can for this club. That has always been my aim.”