Keeper Clark extends stay at McDiarmid

Manager Wright delighted to tie No 1 to deal until 2020

Tommy Wright has tied-up highly-rated keeper Zander Clark on a two-year contract extension through to 2020.

The St Johnstone manager rates Clark highly and recently championed the 24-year-old shot stopper’s case for a call-up to the Scotland squad.

The home-grown talent, who was farmed out on loan to Queen of the South, has grabbed the No 1 jersey from Northern Ireland international Alan Mannus this season.

Wright believes Clark has attributes which will attract interest from clubs south of the border if he continues to progress and he is delighted to secure him on an extended deal.

Clark said: “This season has far exceeded my expectations. I had hoped to try and break into the team. To have managed 30 starts is very pleasing but I’m taking nothing for granted.”

The keeper was substituted at halftime in the win over Motherwell after aggravating a hip injury and Mannus produced one of the saves of the season to prevent the Steelmen snatching a point.

Clark admitted: “Al reminded everyone – if it was needed – what a great keeper he is and I’ll need to stay focused if I want to retain my place.”

Contract talks reached a swift conclusion and the towering keeper said: “The club has been good to me and I’m grateful to have this sort of security and peace of mind.”

Saints also announced yesterday that Liam Gordon had signed a new deal.

The young defender grew up as a St Johnstone season ticket holder and, after securing the new deal, revealed plans to become another local hero like Stevie May and David Wotherspoon.

The 21-year-old centre-half, currently on loan at Peterhead along with promising full-back Aaron Comrie, was snapped up by Wright after being told he did not fit the bill for Hearts.

Gordon admits it was a dream move to McDiarmid after leaving Tynecastle.

He said: “It’s good to have my future sorted out because I didn’t want to go anywhere else.

“I was desperate to stay here because I think I’m making progress and working under the right people. So I’m delighted.

“This is the second season I’ve been here now and I think I’ve got a good future here.

“I’ve played a few games and feel I’ve done well. But I have people like Steven Anderson and Joe Shaughnessy ahead of me and they have been superb.

“So you just have to bide your time, try to keep improving and then take the chance when it comes along.

“That’s part of growing up. All you can do is just try to give the manager something to think about.

“I feel I have done OK in the games I have played and am able to step in when required. So next season I have to be ready when I’m needed.

“I watched the likes of Ando when I was coming to games with my dad and grandad. He’s great to train with every day, you learn so much from him.”

I was desperate to stay here because I think I’m making progress and working under the right people. So I’m delighted. LIAM GORDON

Picture: Perthshire Picture Agency. Zander Clark with Tommy Wright after signing his new deal.