St Johnstone’s appearance record holder Alan Main has called time on his playing career and thanked the Saints supporters for making his testimonial year such a success.
Main may have been working with another team that wears blue, Rangers, as their temporary goalkeeping coach but he took time out to show his gratitude to the McDiarmid Park faithful.
Main, who played 361 games for the Perth club in two separate spells, has confirmed he will be hanging up his gloves at the age of 43 because of a hand injury.
“Calling it a day was hard but it is the right decision,” he said. “I still felt I could play on but the hand injury made me think again.
“Most recently, I got a game or two for Ayr United but I didn’t fancy dropping down through the divisions, having been a first-team SPL keeper for so long in my career with Saints, Dundee United, Livingston and Gretna.
“With my coaching commitments at Ibrox, playing on and working around it was going to be difficult.
“I have never officially come out and said I had retired, until now!
“But now I can hammer a six-inch nail through the gloves and hang them up.Testimonial”I was very fortunate to have a long and successful career and the St Johnstone v Manchester United testimonial was special.
“The turn-out of fans to show their support was superb and greatly appreciated.
“It was disappointing not to be able to play the whole game because of the injury but I regard it as a success story that I was still playing in the SPL at 40.
“And for the Man United game Saints manager Derek McInnes was great about it and let my son Nicholas come on and score a penalty. That was such a memorable occasion.”
Main has been deputising for regular Rangers goalkeeping coach Jim Stewart, who has had an operation.
“I was coaching the kids when the opportunity arose to cover for Jim when he went in for surgery and the Rangers management have been great with me,” he added.
“I stepped up when Jim went in for surgery and was in Lisbon and Eindhoven with Rangers.
“I was also made to feel part of the backroom team at Hampden for the League Cup celebrations after the win over Celtic.
“Whatever happens from here it has been a great experience for me. I am still waiting to see how things pan out.”