St Johnstone signing wants Main job

May 16 2008

NEW Saints signing Euan McLean yesterday declared himself ready to challenge cult hero Alan Main for his place.

Putting his name to a two-year contract at McDiarmid Park, the Scotland U21 goalkeeper was full of praise for the veteran shot-stopper, but insisted he hadn’t arrived to make up the numbers.

McLean (22) had been strongly linked with Saints in recent weeks after being told to find another club by Dundee United boss Craig Levein.

After finally following other summer new boys Jody Morris, Collin Samuel, Gavin Swankie and Chris Millar through the Perth club’s doors, the 6’2” keeper revealed he had been swayed in his decision by the prospect of teaming up again with Saints’ management team Derek McInnes and Tony Docherty – both ex-Tannadice servants – and the widely-respected Main (40).

“This is a great move for me and I’m delighted,” McLean told PA Sport yesterday.

“I was speaking to a few clubs but the amount of interest Tony Doc and the manager showed in me convinced me they want me here.

“I respect the bosses here and I’m really looking forward to working with Alan and learning from him.

“You don’t come to a club to be second fiddle, but Alan’s been absolutely brilliant and it’s going to be hard to claim the number one shirt.

“I watched the Scottish Cup semi-final and Alan’s performance was absolutely incredible.

“He’s a great goalkeeper, one of the best in Scotland, and he’s proud of the fact that he’s still playing at the age he is.”

McLean found top team appearances hard to come by last season with Polish pair Gregorz Samotulski and Lukasz Zaluska dominating the goalkeeping position.

After starting out with his home town team Kilmarnock, the player joined Sunderland aged 16 before moving to Tannadice in September 2004.

A member of Scotland squads since the age of 14, he endured a torrid Tangerines debut in Craig Brewster’s last game in charge, the infamous 5-1 hammering at Falkirk back in October 2006.

“It was absolutely horrible losing five goals on my debut, the worst thing ever,” McLean declared.

“However, I thought I did well when I played, but I obviously wasn’t in the gaffer’s plans.

“I think Lucasz has gone in and done well.

“But there is absolutely no point sitting on a bench all the time.”

McLean, who is set to add to his single Under-21 cap on Tuesday night against Norway, reckons Saints could soon be heading for the SPL.

“The signings look really good and I think we’ve got a right good chance,” he said.

“My friend Greg Cameron was on loan here last year from United and he told me the atmosphere within the club was brilliant.

“He said the team was going to go places.

“I’ve had a few clubs but never really had a settled first team run, so I’m hoping for more of a chance here.”

McDiarmid assistant Docherty described McLean as “hungry for success” and said he expects him to mount a strong case for a regular game.

“I’ve know Euan a long time, he was at United four of the five years I was there,” he said.

“He’s got real presence, is a very good shot-stopper, is great coming for crosses and, best of all, he’s now ready to play first team football.

“It’s very important there’s competition for places all over the squad and knowing Euan like we do, we’re confident he’ll rise to the challenge.

“He’s a great professional with a fantastic attitude.

“He’s now at an age where he realises he’s got to play.”

Docherty said he anticipates a typically positive response from established first choice Main come pre-season.

“We’ve been really impressed by Alan’s coaching and leadership attributes and he’ll develop Euan even further,” the coach insisted.

“Working with him will be to Euan’s benefit as a goalkeeper and as a person.”

With most of Saints’ rivals yet to add to their squads, McInnes’ right-hand man put the recent spate of signings down to long-term thinking.

“We always had a plan and just now everything’s coming together,” Docherty said.

“We’ll keep developing the squad until we’re happy with it.

“You’ve got to be proactive and I think Derek sells the club very well.”

SAINTS yesterday confirmed a home pre-season friendly against Burnley, plus visits to Inverness and Montrose.

Derek McInnes’ men will take on former Saints boss Owen Coyle’s Turf Moor outfit on July 23 (kick off 7.30pm).

This is their only McDiarmid Park build-up game.

The first team will also clash with Montrose (July 12, 3pm) and Caley Thistle (July 19, 3pm) ahead of the new term, which starts with Challenge Cup ties on July 26.