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Alan Mannus hopes Northern Ireland exile is over

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Alan Mannus snubbed Northern Ireland’s double-header with Uruguay and Chile last summer, and hasn’t played for his country since.

But the St Johnstone keeper hopes his lengthy spell on the international sidelines finally comes to an end at Hampden on Wednesday.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill handed Mannus a start against Cyprus last March after

No. 1 Roy Carroll was frozen out at club level by Olympiakos.

Two months later, however, the Saints stopper declared himself unavailable for a pre-World Cup trip to South America and Carroll, now at Notts County, regained his place.

As a result, Mannus doesn’t expect to be given the nod at Hampden.

But after warming the bench during his only other trip to the national stadium a goalless draw between Scotland and Northern Ireland in August, 2008 the seven times-capped star admits he would be over the moon to play even a minor role.

“That was the only time I’ve been at Hampden, so I’d love to be involved,” said Mannus.

“Towards the end of last season, I had the Cyprus game when Roy wasn’t playing. The manager said he was going to give me my chance, and I thought I did okay.

“I didn’t have loads to do, but I didn’t do anything wrong.

“After that it was the friendly games in the summer. I already had holidays booked over, and wasn’t prepared to change my plans as it was an important family holiday.

“Roy did well in those games, then got his move back to Notts County. He’s been playing well since, so that’s the way it has gone.”

Carroll may possess the No. 1 jersey for now, but Mannus’ exploits can’t have escaped Edinburgh resident Michael O’Neill’s attention.

Statistics show the St Johnstone keeper is battling it out with Craig Gordon and Aberdeen’s Scott Brown as one of only three Premiership stoppers who have saved over 80% of shots, with Mannus facing TWICE as many as the other two.

“Overall I’m happy with my form, though there are things that could be better,” he said.

“I’d like to have kept more clean sheets for a start. Last year we kept 23 but that’s probably one of those things we’ll never match.

“You expect Celtic and Aberdeen to do that type of thing, not the other clubs.”