ZANDER RIPE FOR A PARTY
Zander Clark celebrated St Johnstone’s last piece of major silverware by knee-sliding through a bar in Ibiza.
Now the goalkeeper hopes to be involved in the party celebrations at Hampden by lifting the League Cup on Sunday.
The big shot-stopper had been on loan at Queen of the South when Saints famously lifted the Scottish Cup in May 2014.
“We made the playoffs at Queen of the South that season and the Queens chairman had promised us that, if we got to the playoffs, we would get an all-expenses paid trip to Ibiza,” Clark explained. “My name was down for that.
“The boys got to the final so it was a bit of a surreal moment, me ending up in Ibiza. The full squad were in Ocean Beach Club that day and I found myself sitting in a boozer watching the final.
“I remember going mental at the barman because they changed the channel before the boys lifted the cup. I remember me going mental.
“It was a great day, one that I would have wanted to be at, but it would have felt strange, having been on loan for the full season.
“We had done so well at Queens that I felt it was a good one to go and enjoy. I managed to watch the full game and gave myself a couple of knee burns from a knee slide.
“I’d had one too many when Macca put the second goal in. It was a good day. I managed to enjoy it in the sun with a few tipples.
“I took a bit of a stick but I still managed to make it - somehow, I don’t know how. To this day, I couldn’t tell you how I managed to make it along to the Beach Club afterwards.
“I sort of zig-zagged my way through the streets of San Antonio. The boys were all buzzing. They knew how long I’d been at the club so they were buzzing. We had a good time after that.”
Clark has played a starring role in helping Saints progress through to this season’s finale. The Perth side came through a penalty shoot-out in the quarter final and then he produced the goods against Hibs in the semis.
He said: “When I went abroad, it was one of those where you think ‘am I ever going to get this chance to be involved in a cup final squad?’
“They don’t come around too often. There have been player who is acutely aware of his own body and has had a few groin problems during his career.
“Hopefully by Wednesday or Thursday he’ll be fine and we’ll have a full squad to choose from.”
Davidson has a selection headache ahead of the cup final against Livingston.
That was not helped by strong performances from a number of individuals in the 3-0 humbling of Motherwell at the weekend.
“It’s brilliant for me but it’s going to be difficult for some players to accept,” Davidson admitted. “That’s just the reality of football.
“There are two different formations I can play. It depends which one we go with and who is fit. We’ve got a few knocks and niggles.
“We’ll have a look at Livingston, assess everything with my backroom staff and pick a team from there.
“It wouldn’t be a problem playing any of them. Which