GOALKEEPER Alan Main believes his decision to walk away from Gretna for a return to St Johnstone has been vindicated after booking a place in the last four of the Scottish Cup at the expense of St Mirren.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper is well aware eyebrows were raised last March when it emerged he would be quitting Premier League-bound Gretna to remain in the Irn-Bru First Division after signing a pre-contract agreement with his former club.
But wh
ile Saints have a second consecutive Scottish Cup semi-final to look forward to, Gretna are desperately trying to maintain their existence after being placed in the hands of administrators.
Main has every sympathy for his former employers and team-mates but has been left in no doubt he made the right decision.
"It was a real strong decision to come to St Johnstone and I've got no regrets," he said.
"I'm really pleased that I've made that decision. It's been a good season for us so far – we've won the Challenge Cup, we are still in with a wee shout in the league and to get a run in the cup is a bonus.
"People questioned the fact that I did leave at the time, when they were going into the Premier League. But I was going to a club that I knew really well and there is really strong stability in the club as well.
"I'm really pleased that Owen (Coyle, the former manager] took me back to St Johnstone. I've got a great rapport with the fans and it's going to be fantastic to walk out at Hampden knowing we have the backing of them. I owe a lot to St Johnstone for bringing me back. There are still people there (at Gretna] that I know and hopefully it can get sorted out for them."
St Johnstone eased to a 3-1 win over St Mirren thanks to goals from Rocco Quinn, Andy Jackson and Peter MacDonald within the opening half hour.
It may have been a reasonably comfortable evening on the pitch for Main but the veteran goalkeeper found himself singled out for abuse by St Mirren who apparently have long memories.
Main was held accountable for the 3-2 defeat to Dundee United seven years ago which kept the Tannadice club in the SPL at the expense of St Mirren and clearly Paisley locals still hold a grudge.
"It doesn't matter where I go now, I get stick," he said. "I'm not sure if it was my fault or not but they seem to think it was.
"I don't really mind, it adds to the game and adds to the banter between the players and the fans. I'm just delighted that we won the game."
The day was made even more memorable for Main after learning his son, Nicholas, had earned a call up to the Scotland Under-15 squad.
"I found out at the pre-match meal when he phoned me up," said Main of his son's call-up. "I was buzzing any way before the game and to get that lift was brilliant so I'm delighted for him but I'm also delighted for the team after this win."
The full article contains 544 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
