Alan Mannus celebrated his 31st birthday in style on Sunday by keeping a clean sheet to help St Johnstone achieve the victory over Motherwell that secured third place in the SPL and qualification for the Europa League.
The Northern Irishman produced one stunning save in particular from Michael Higdon on the stroke of half-time with Saints just one goal ahead. It was the sort of goalkeeping performance Mannus has been making all season and the club have now rewarded him with a one-year contract extension.
He said: “It was an amazing way to finish a brilliant season for us. If we hadn’t made Europe, it might have taken some of the shine off the campaign but the fans will remember this.
“They have been brilliant throughout the season and we saw how much it meant to them at the end. It is special for me and the rest of the players. I will never forget it. The supporters were singing my name and that meant a lot to me.
“I’m glad the fans are happy at the end of a long hard season. It probably still hasn’t sunk in what we have achieved. The manager and the coaches also deserve plenty of credit.
“We have experienced players and that has worked for us, especially towards the end of the season. That was important.”
Mannus admitted he was hoping his form this season would have attracted interest from clubs down south. However, that did not materialise and he is just delighted to stay at Saints.
He said: “Being honest, I would love to have a chance to play in England after my years with Linfield, Shamrock Rovers and now St Johnstone in Scotland.
“That has been one of my dreams. I’d love to see how I would do in England.
“But there didn’t seem to be opportunities presenting themselves and if I was going to stay in Scotland I wasn’t looking to move to another club.
“I have read about clubs being interested in the papers but up here, this is the best place for me.
“They gave me my chance when no one elsewhere had any interest in taking me from Ireland. I felt I owed it to them to extend my stay if they wanted me.
“I didn’t think I’d get the chance to play in Scotland and I was 29 before I came over. Is someone going to sign a 31-year-old keeper down south? I’m not sure but who knows what the future holds?
“If I do get the chance I would have to take it but I have been fully focused on St Johnstone and that will continue to be the case now that I have signed the new contract.
“Europe is the icing on the cake because I had already agreed to stay before Sunday. Hopefully it will persuade a few of the other lads to stay.”