St Johnstone keeper Alan Mannus is only focusing on his own performances

The Saints stopper will come face to face with his compatriot Carson for the first time since he signed for Well when they meet on Saturday.

Carson previously admitted he was unsure if making the move to Fir Park was the correct one for his career prospects.

But after sampling the atmosphere during Sunday's thrilling Ladbrokes Premiership opener against Rangers, the 29-year-old has changed his tune and now believes Scotland's top flight is just the platform he needs to relaunch his international career.

That could spell trouble for Mannus, who has recently nudged Carson out of Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland squad - but the Perth keeper is relaxed about the challenge coming from his glove rival.

I've roomed with him quite a bit while away with Northern Ireland over the last few years.

He's a good goalkeeper and I think he will do a good job for Motherwell.

He's right, playing up here does give you that platform to show what you can do, especially in the games against Rangers and Celtic.

You're also in the highest division in Scotland, so that helps too.

In the Northern Ireland squad over the last few years there has been quite a few guys who have played a lot of football in the Scottish Premiership, so if you're playing here and doing well then you have a chance.

Will him being up here push me on? Well I just tend to focus on myself. Whatever happens, happens. I don't really pay much attention outside of that.

I don't really spend much time looking at what other keepers are doing. Whatever way it pans out, I'll deal with it.''

Mannus admits it has been a roller-coaster ride of a start for St Johnstone after their Europa League exit was followed by day-one league win over Kilmarnock and then Tuesday night's painful 3-0 Betfred Cup loss to Partick Thistle.

He just hopes they will be on the up again when Well visit McDiarmid Park.

He said: It's been and up-and-down start to the season. We had a good result on Saturday at Kilmarnock and a good performance with it.

But it was the opposite on Tuesday against Thistle. A poor result and a poor display.

Hopefully it flips again on Saturday.'

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