St Johnstone semi-final hero on the road out?

Apr 22 2008

HAMPDEN hero Allan McManus is resigned to leaving St Johnstone.

The former Hearts centre-back turned in a superb show against Rangers but suspects it was his Saints swansong.

Manager Derek McInnes has Kevin James, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Steven Anderson and on-loan Inverness player Stuart McCaffrey jostling for central defensive roles. And with limitations on his squad, McManus will be a reluctant casualty.

The defender said: "I think there's every chance I'll be on my way so Hampden was a good shop window.

"The manager would like to keep me but there are four other centre-halves here. If I have to leave it will be hard to take.

"I feel I've been pretty consistent over the past two years. I'd love to stay but I don't make the decisions. I can't force the club to keep me.”

Saints have a league game at Stirling tomorrow but McManus, like others on the verge of suspensions – including Rutkiewicz, Gary Irvine and Martin Hardie – won't feature.

He said: "I won't play against Stirling or Livingston because I'm just one booking away from suspension.

“The manager is doing me a turn. He says I don't have to be involved in case I am elsewhere next season.

“This way I'll have a clean slate. But it looks as if the semi-final was my last match. I feel I can leave with my head held high and we'll see what happens over the next weeks.”