Tough McManus looks forward to a ‘tasty’ game

Nov 2 2007

THE last time Allan McManus squared-up to Dundee he emerged battered and bloodied.

But the hardy central defender, who picked up the latest PA Sport/George Wimpey player of the month award yesterday, insisted broken noses are a hazard of the profession.

And he stressed there would be no vendettas carried into the Dens match tomorrow.

“I have lost count of the number of times I’ve broken my nose during my career. You just get on with it. I don’t even bother the doc if I can still breath properly,” he said.

“It was moving about a fair bit after being caught accidentally by an elbow. Derbies can get a bit tasty but it was just one of those things. My philosophy has always been that what happens out on the park stays there.”

Reliable centre-half McManus admitted a share of the spoils with Clyde hadn’t gone down well in the Perth dressing room.

He said: “We are on a good run and have been doing reasonably well. But you’d think there was a crisis because we drew with Clyde! That blip shows the standards we have set for ourselves individually and as a team.

“There’s nothing better than a derby to get back on track. Dundee will believe they can turn us over on their own patch but we have to be confident. To win we will have to be on top of our game. We’ll find out what we are all about.”

McManus continued: “I’d love to win this one. Obviously Hamilton are flying and it’s like last season when we trying to close the gap on Gretna. But we have two massive games coming up, against Dundee and then Dunfermline. Three points from both is our aim.”

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THE St Johnstone FC Business Club is staging its fifth agm at McDiarmid on November 15 at 7pm.

There will be a chance to meet manager Owen Coyle after a complimentary buffet and pay bar. Those attending can meet and chat with fellow members after the meeting.

The dress code is casual and a large attendance of members is requested. This is also an ideal opportunity for new members to find out more about the club.

To assist with catering arrangements members are asked to return their invitations to chairman Donald Houston ASAP.

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THE Scottish women’s team lost 1-0 to Denmark in the midweek UEFA qualifier at Perth.

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TICKETS for the Challenge Cup clash with Dunfermline are on sale today and next week 9am to 5pm to season ticket and voucher holders. The public sale starts on November 12. It’s £17 and £8 for the main stand and £15 and £8 for the Shankly stand at Dens Park.