SAINTS manager Russell Martin said he wanted to keep all three of his out-of-contract aces after the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

He could have ended with a zero per cent success rate as Scotland internationals Stuart Armstrong and Che Adams opted to end their Saints stays.

Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, however, the longest-serving of the bunch, chose to add to his 147 appearances for the club and sign a new two-year deal.

The 34 year old looked certain to be heading for the exit door having only played 11 matches of regular season league football in two seasons.

He was not even on the bench for Martin all season until Gavin Bazunu ruptured his Achilles during a warm-up in March - and the rest made history.

"I always believe in my ability, anyway. I'm the sort of person that will always go out and train properly," McCarthy told the Daily Echo.

Alex McCarthy kept two clean sheets from three matches in the Championship play-offsAlex McCarthy kept two clean sheets from three matches in the Championship play-offs (Image: PA)

"I'm always trying to improve so it was never a worry for me, sort of, coming into the team. I'm always backing my ability and I know what I can do.

"To come into the team at that late stage in the season and help the club get back to where it should be was a good start to the summer for me."

"My contract was up at the end of last season and, to be honest, I hadn't really thought about what I was going to do next. 

"I just wanted to come into the team and do the best I could to help the club get back to where it should be."

McCarthy was linked to interest from Liverpool - as a backup - Celtic and Saudi Arabia, following the historic 1-0 win against Leeds United.

He held private conversations with Martin before his new contract was announced just days before he was set for release at the end of June.

Alex McCarthy celebrating promotion at St Mary'sAlex McCarthy celebrating promotion at St Mary's (Image: Habibur Rahman)

"I took some time away to think about things and assess my options. I've been here a long time now," McCarthy explained. 

"I love the club and I love the people here so I'm very delighted to extend my stay for another two years.

"I spoke with the gaffer a few times. I think, from where he's come in, the people he's brought, he's just completely changed the club around.

"Just the dynamic and the way he is with everyone. It's nice to work with a manager who's that positive and who cares that much about the players and the club."

Southampton's play-off run - and the support the fans showed before and after the matches - left an impression on everyone at the club.

Martin, the players and even chairman Henrik Kraft have all mentioned it in speeches without prompting during the build-up to this season.

It is no different for veteran goalkeeper McCarthy, who has played more than 300 professional matches and represented England at Wembley.

Asked where it ranks, he responded: "I think it's a tough one. The whole occasion is up there as one of the best moments of my career.

"Playing at Wembley was unbelievable. The atmosphere, everything that came with it. It was unbelievable. The game at St Mary's against West Brom.

"I've never seen an atmosphere like it. It was incredible. That whole last month of the season was a very special end to the year."

Saints will look to bring in a new goalkeeper if one of their three leave this summer - and the aim is they could compete with the former Reading man.

However, the promotion has opened the door to McCarthy being a number one in the Premier League again - as it stands, he will start at Newcastle United.

"When you look back at it, six months ago when I wasn't playing, if I'm being completely honest, I didn't imagine myself here now," he admitted.

"As we all know, things in football change very quickly and I'm here now for another two years - and we've got a great group of goalkeepers here."

With every winner in football, there is a loser. Bazunu, 22, is likely to be looking at a 2025 return to action following a ruptured Achilles injury.

Martin's support of the young Irishman was steadfast due to his ability to play calmly with the ball at his feet - a skill McCarthy is not best known for.

"I spoke to Gavin to see how he was getting on, he's obviously got his boot off now and he's progressing well," McCarthy said. 

"He was very unfortunate to pick that injury up, I was gutted for him. He's progressing well and Gavin works hard. He'll be back quicker than expected."