There isn’t a striker out there who would faze Alan Mannus, according to Zander Clark.
And that includes the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The two goalkeepers have remained friends since their days battling to be the St Johnstone number one.
Clark has a comeback from injury to look forward to with Saints on the return from the international break, while Mannus will be gearing up for Shamrock Rovers’ glamour Europa League clash with Italian giants AC Milan.
That the Northern Irish international is the epitome of calm and composure was apparent when he stepped up to convert a penalty in the Dublin shoot-out that saw off Finnish club Ilves in the last round.
And anybody who thinks that the sight of pony-tailed Swedish legend, Ibrahimovic, racing through on goal in the famous black and red stripes would make him crumble doesn’t know the man or his mentality.
“I suppose you never expect to come up against a side like AC Milan,” said Clark. “It’s the magic of the draw and hopefully they can pull off a result.
“It would be another scalp for Alan to add to his collection because he’s had a few at St Johnstone.
“These games are chances to play against some top players.
“Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in there for Milan. It will be great for Alan to come up against someone of that calibre.
“But there are not many folk I wouldn’t back big Al against. I’m sure he can look after Zlatan.
“It will be an occasion he is really looking forward to. Leaving Saints, he maybe didn’t think there would be another chance for a big memorable European night.
“I don’t imagine anyone outside Shamrock Rovers will be expecting them to win the game. But sometimes you can throw up a shock.
“I remember the buzz about our place when we were in the Europa League and drawn to play Rosenborg.
“It’s a great draw for Alan. It probably would’ve been a little better if it was at the San Siro.
“But I’m sure a lot of teams going into the draw would’ve wanted that tie.”
Mannus was familiar with Europa League penalty shoot-outs from his time in Perth but none were as dramatic as the Tallaght Stadium marathon of last week.
It reached 9-9 before the 38-year-old had to take one himself – scoring and then saving from Eemili Raittenen to give Joey O’Brien the opportunity for glory, which he took.
“I spoke to big Al straight after their game,” said Clark.
“There are not many goalkeepers who can say they have scored in the Europa League.
“To then save the penalty to give his team the chance to win it was just brilliant.
“He sounded a bit like Ando! I’d asked him how his nerves were when he hit the penalty and he replied he was just angry that he hadn’t saved one until that point.
“He stepped up and there was no hesitation. He was smashing it. It was foot straight through it and nearly bursting the net.”
Clark, meanwhile, is hoping to play in a bounce game against Dundee United this weekend after enduring a coronavirus, then injury-enforced absence.
“Being a big daft goalie, I had a tight hamstring from all the running I was trying to achieve,” he said.
“I took a few days off at the start to get a bit of strength built back into that.
“I worked my way back into training but then picked up the injury. We assessed it and it became apparent it wasn’t going to be short-term.
“It was especially frustrating considering the amount of time we’d had off. You want to come back and hit the ground running.
“But it was another standstill for me. It’s part and parcel of what we do – you are sometimes going to pick up injuries.”
Clark’s standards were raised by competing with Mannus to be Tommy Wright’s first choice. Now he’s got a fight on his hands with a new manager to impress and another keeper in the team who is performing very well in his absence, Elliott Parish.
“Elliott has been brilliant,” he said. “I needed to be on the top of my game last season, knowing that he was there.
“He is a top class goalkeeper and one who has shown he is more than capable. He has pulled off big stops for us.
“It was great for him to get the clean sheet at the weekend but he is unfortunate not to have had more. His performances have merited it.
“He made three or four big saves in the Kilmarnock game and then we went and won it in the last minute. That’s a great feeling for a goalkeeper.
“It’s healthy competition and always keeps you on your toes. As a goalkeeper you need to be on top of your game in every match.”
Clark added: “The whole team have been playing well.
“I’ve found it more nerve-wracking watching than playing. I’ve been heading and kicking every ball.
“I’m sure the boys in the game have probably felt comfortable but, sitting in the stand, you know you have no influence on it.
