First Team
Steven Anderson pens new two-year-deal
24th May 2018
The club is delighted to announce today that long-serving defender Steven Anderson has penned a new two-year-deal to remain at McDiarmid Park.
The 32-year-old is the club’s all-time record appearance holder having arrived in Perth back in 2004. Ando has made over 400 appearances for Saints and memorably scored the opening goal in the Scottish Cup final victory over Dundee United in 2014.
Since arriving at the club, Ando has won the Challenge Cup, Scottish First Division and the Scottish Cup, earning himself a Testimonial and legendary status in the process.
Speaking about the new deal, Saints boss Tommy Wright was full of praise for his experienced central-defender. “He’s been a huge player for St. Johnstone over the years,” Tommy commented, “and as one of our senior players and given the age of the squad it was important for me to make sure we held onto him.
“Obviously Steven was one of the players who had an extension clause in his previous contract which he had triggered through his playing time, but that was just a one-year-extension and we wanted to have his future secured longer term.
“I think he came in for a bit of unfair criticism at the start of the season but I think that’s just because of the high standards he’s set over the years since he’s been at the club – I thought he had a good season and finished strongly.
“Joe – even though he’s experienced – is still young, and with Jason Kerr, Liam Gordon, Aaron Comrie and Scott Tanser all in defence it’s vital to have that experience in there which is what we all know Steven brings.”
Also staying at the club next season is 23-year-old full-back Scott Tanser, who joined from Port Vale last summer and has signed a one-year-extension to remain at McDiarmid Park.
Scott has impressed at left-back in the absence of Brian Easton through injury, and Tommy admits there will be competition for places when both are fit.
“Scott knew when he came here that he was fighting for a place with Brian Easton and when Brian got injured, Scott took his chance.
“He’s come in to the team and done extremely well. He’s built up his confidence and he’s improved a lot as a player over the course of the season.
“Brian knows that when he’s back fully fit and in contention that he’s going to have to battle to get his regular place back in the side.”
22-year-old goalkeeper Mark Hurst has also signed a one-year-extension, but the club has decided not to offer 20-year-old Ben MacKenzie a new contract and the player has been released.