ALAN MAIN has revealed that he isn’t smouldering on the sidelines after being dropped by St Johnstone, writes Graeme Dey.

Main was dropped after a below-par display at Rugby Park a month ago, and hasn’t been able to dislodge Graeme Smith from the side.

However, with his 42nd birthday coming up a week on Saturday, the former Dundee United, Livingston and Gretna goalie insists that, mellowed by age and experience, he accepts omission from the team is just part and parcel of football.

“It’s a situation that was always going to happen,’’ he said.

“I knew myself there was every chance I wouldn’t get to play the whole season.

“And to be fair, Smithy has done well.

“I won’t pretend it isn’t difficult not playing.

“But it would have been a helluva lot harder to handle if I’d been 25-26.

“I was in and then out of the team a couple of times at Dundee United under Ivan Golac and I didn’t take it well.

“But I understand that I was left out on the back of a poor second-half performance from myself, which saw me lose two bad goals against Kilmarnock.

“Smith has then come in and done well.

“That’s how things go.

“Good luck to him and I hope he continues to do well, because ultimately it’s not about me, it’s about the club.’’

Main was coaching Smith as well as vying with him for selection earlier in the campaign.

Now he’s had his coaching duties reduced by virtue of the fact Gordon Marshall has been appointed part-time goalkeeping coach at the club.

Main views his arrival at McDiarmid Park as a real plus.

“It’s good that we’ve got Gordon coming in one day during the week and then on matchdays,’’ said Main.

“I’m still taking charge when he’s not here but it’s nice that I can spend some of the time concentrating on myself.

“It’s difficult coaching and still trying to play, so I appreciate having this help.’’