Jak Alnwick may feel that he has a point to prove when Rangers arrive in Paisley for a Scottish Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night.
But getting one over on the club who released him in July will, of course, be easier said than done.
Rangers have not lost a single one of their 27 games across all competitions this season, scoring 75 goals along the way (an average of nearly 3 per game). So, regardless of whether it is Alfredo Morelos or Jermain Defoe, Cedric Itten or Kemar Roofe, Alnwick will be busier than one of Santa’s overworked elves in midweek.
Fortunately, the one-time Newcastle United youngster is in rather impressive form.
Perhaps the biggest compliment that can be paid to a man who joined St Mirren on a free over the summer is that the lingering spirit of Vaclav Hladky, the legendary shot-stopper who departed for Salford City four months ago, has been vanquished.
“I wouldn’t say Jak’s been better than I expected but I knew it was a big position to fill because Vaclav Hladky had done so well for the club when he was here,” Buddies manager Jim Goodwin told Express Sport (15 December, page 56).
“Jak was our main priority and I was absolutely delighted when I got it over the line. He’s a real modern-day goalkeeper, not only is he making the kind of saves he is but his distribution is incredible. He’s one of the best passers in the team.
“Jak’s only 27, he’s relatively young for the position but he’s a real calming influence. He’s been one of the real highlights for us this season so far.
“If you look at the statistics this season he’s right up there in the top two or three in the league.”
Alnwick made just six Premiership appearances in almost three years at Ibrox.
But it is safe to say one of the country’s most in-form goalkeepers is making up for lost time in Lanarkshire.
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