Alan set to be an ‘all-time’ legend

Apr 10 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

ALAN Main will enter the St Johnstone hall of fame tomorrow when he creates an all-time club appearance record, reports Gordon Bannerman.

The championship-chasing keeper, 42 this summer and still going strong, will overtake the late Drew Rutherford’s 345 tally against Dunfermline tomorrow at East End Park.

Main has had two spells with the Perth club and over the last five games of the season he has his sights set on emulating a previous title triumph under Paul Sturrock.

Yesterday, he insisted: “The record is great and it’s been an enjoyable season but now we have to clinch the title and get the medal that goes with it.”

It was in January 1995 that Luggy lured him from Tannadice in a £150,000 package.

Within two years his form warranted a call-up into the Scotland squad.

He battled back from a leg break in 2001 and his first spell at Perth ended in 2003 with a token fee taking him to Livingston as Saints slashed the wage bill.

Now, instead of reflecting on past glories like qualifying for Europe, posting an extraordinary display in Monaco and reaching a League Cup final, Main is harbouring hopes of SPL football next season.

And three points at East End Park would go a long way to achieving that ambition.

Main said: “We have to get back to winning games. If we win at Dunfermline and get all three points that would be a good way to mark beating the previous record. Maybe we could even open up a bigger gap.

“Stevie Milne is our top scorer and it’s better to have a couple of players with 10 or 15 goals.

“Dropping two points against Partick and Dunfermline has given others a glimpse of getting back into contention. But we have the mentality within the dressing room to win games.

“Obviously I’m just a wee bit more experienced than some of the lads. There is an age gap but they have been great with me,” said Main, who secured previous titles for Saints and Gretna.

“The fans have also been brilliant so there should be no fear in our play. We are going all out to win a title. We should be enjoying it. It could be something I never experience again. It’s waiting there for us and now we have to reach out and grab it.

“The manager has handled it brilliantly and I’d like that medal more than anything. I know the feeling and I want to experience it again.”

Manager McInnes paid tribute to the veteran keeper, saying: “Alan has been a great servant to the club and this is a big game for him. Hopefully it’s one he can look back on with a clean sheet and three points.”

The Perth boss has called on his players to take confidence from a four-point lead and show the desire and belief to reach out and grasp the title.

“I know two wins from eight isn’t great form but we have to seize the initiative and show no fears or hang-ups. I’m glad the game in hand is out of the way. We are in a strong position and we can enjoy being top of the league and going after the title.

“We have to show the appetite to win games and we won at East End earlier in the season when the fans were brilliant.

“I believe we are a better side than any of the teams we play in the last five games. Now it is up to us to prove it.”

Peter MacDonald is ruled out and Stuart McCaffrey is doubtful. But Martin Hardie will return after being protected in midweek.