St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas claims goalkeeper Alan Mannus took a cut in wages to join the SPL side.

The Northern Irish stopper left Shamrock Rovers to sign for the Perth men in the summer and has had to remain patient in his search for first-team football.

The 29-year-old made his debut in the midweek cup defeat to Hearts before keeping a clean sheet in the draw with Aberdeen.

And afterwards Lomas was full of praise for Mannus.

He said: "Alan has deserved his chance as he has waited patiently. He is a model professional. He could have stayed at Shamrock Rovers and earned more money but he wants to be a full-time professional footballer.

"All credit to him as I think he has actually sacrificed money to come to St Johnstone. That shows you the hunger he has to be a full-time goalkeeper. I felt he earned the right to have a run in the team at some stage in the season.

"It is a big positive to keep a clean sheet against an Aberdeen team which is on a good run."

Lomas is now concentrating on the club’s bid to make the top six.

With just seven games to go until the split, the former West Ham midfielder is expecting a few nervy weeks ahead.

He added: "Kilmarnock pulled themselves right back into the hunt with a great result against Rangers and the beauty of the SPL is everybody can beat everybody.

"I think it will ebb and flow for the next few weeks. A point at Aberdeen is a good result but it will be a great result if we can beat Dunfermline at home next week."