ST JOHNSTONE keeper Alan Mannus will not waste time worrying about Motherwell No 1 Trevor Carson stealing his Northern Ireland place.
The Saints stopper will come face to face with his compatriot Carson for the first time since he signed for the club when they meet today.
Carson admitted he was unsure if making the move north was the right one for his career, but after sampling the atmosphere during Sunday’s thrilling Premiership opener against Rangers, the 29-year-old has changed his tune and now believes the Premiership is the platform he needs to relaunch his international career.
That could spell trouble for Mannus, who has recently nudged Carson out of Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland squad – but the Perth keeper is relaxed about the challenge coming from his rival.
“I know Trevor well,” he said. “I’ve roomed with him quite a bit with Northern Ireland and I think he will do a good job for Motherwell.
“He’s right, playing up here does give you that platform to show what you can do, especially in the games against Rangers and Celtic. You’re also in the highest division in Scotland, so that helps too.
“In the Northern Ireland squad over the last few years there has been quite a few guys who have played in the Scottish Premiership, so if you’re playing here and doing well then you have a chance.
“Will him being up here push me on? Well I just tend to focus on myself. Whatever happens, happens. I don’t really pay much attention outside of that.”
Mannus admits it has been a roller-coaster ride of a start for St Johnstone after their Europa League exit was followed by a day-one league win over Kilmarnock and then Tuesday night’s painful 3-0 Betfred Cup loss to Partick Thistle.
He said: “We had a good result on Saturday at Kilmarnock and a good performance with it. But it was the opposite on Tuesday against Thistle. A poor result and a poor display.”
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