Al's Main event on hold for title party.

Byline: Alan Marshall

RECORD breaker Alan Main insists the celebrations are on hold until he has a championship medal in his grasp.

The 41-year-old will pass the late Drew Rutherford's top mark of 345 appearances for St Johnstone when he faces Dunfermline tomorrow.

But he reckons the milestone has come too soon.

The former Dundee United, Livingston and Gretna keeper, who won a title in a previous spell at Perth, said: "The record is great but we have to clinch the title and get the medal that goes with it.

"It will be a special occasion but I haven't thought too much about it. To be honest, it's come a bit soon for me.

"It will be something to reflect on and celebrate at the end of the season if we win the championship.

Lured

"If we win at Dunfermline that would be a good way to mark beating the record.

"All the games are massive now, with five left. Maybe it has been a bit flat with so many draws. But it's not about nerves.

We just need someone to go on a wee goalscoring run." Main was lured away from Dundee United by Paul Sturrock in 1995 and returned to Saints under Owen Coyle.

His Perth highlights have included qualifying for Europe and a League Cup Final.

But Main now has his sights set on the SPL. He said: "I don't know how long I can keep going but I don't think any mistakes I've made have been down to age. It would be nice playing in the SPL again at 42."

Boss Derek McInnes said: "Alan has been a great servant to the club and this is a big game for him. Hopefully it's one he can look back on with a clean sheet and three points."

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RECORD: Alan Main