St Johnstone

Sam Miller
Fan writer

In the high-stakes world of Scottish football, tacticians are revered and logic is more often than not thrown out the window. Just ask St Johnstone's Matty Foulds.

​After putting in a stormer of a performance at Aberdeen, earning top match ratings and walking away with a brilliant 1-0 victory, Foulds probably expected a hero's welcome for the Tayside derby against Dundee United.

Champagne? Perhaps. A permanent statue outside McDiarmid Park? Maybe a bit premature, but at least a guaranteed spot on the teamsheet, right?

​Wrong.

​In a classic slice of managerial mind games that left some Saints fans scratching their heads, Foulds found himself unceremoniously relegated to the bench for the big game.

Apparently, putting in a man-of-the-match display merely unlocks the privilege of watching the action from the best seat in the house - wrapped in a cosy dugout jacket.

​St Johnstone fought out a tense 1-1 draw against Dundee United, but Foulds must be wondering what wizardry he needs to pull off to keep his starting spot.

Next time he wins man of the match, he might just ask for a day off instead.

Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints, external

Former St Johnstone defender Richard Foster has been impressed by manager Simo Valakari's adaptability following the Perth club's return to the Scottish Premiership.

Watch Sportscene highlights of the weekend's top-flight action

Watch all the highlights as St Johnstone and Dundee United played out a 1-1 draw in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday. Available to UK users only.

Dominant Dundee United rescued a well-earned Scottish Premiership draw at St Johnstone to stretch their unbeaten run to four games.

Read the match report here

Have your say on the match here

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St Johnstone head coach Simo Valakari: "It was a good football match, United had their moments and played some good football, it was difficult to get close to them, they have players that are in good places, but at the same time we had our moments.

"The goal we scored was a beautiful goal and it changed the game a little bit, so it was a question of whether we could hold until the end. It's difficult to defend to ninety minutes, what we can now improve is these moments when we are 1-0 up, how do we put more pressure on and be more ruthless to get the second goal.

"The intensity was there, a good atmosphere, and both teams really pushed until the end looking for the winner and we very much enjoyed it."

As for top scorer Josh Fowler's substitution, the Finn added: "There is a big flu going around, he ran his chest out so he needed his rest and that's all it was."

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St Johnstone will be boosted by the return of defender Cheick Diabate from suspension.

Dundee United have no fresh injury concerns following last weekend's win against Hibernian.

Left-back Will Ferry continues to be monitored having picked up a knock during the training camp in Portugal over the international break, while forward Mehdi Merghem and Emmanuel Agyei (both knee) continue their own rehabilitation.

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St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari is enjoying the challenge of managing in the Scottish Premiership but admits it is a "tough life".

The former Finland midfielder, who spent four years at Motherwell as a player, guided the Perth Saints to promotion last season following relegation in 2025.

They have applied themselves well on their return to the top flight, taking 11 points from their opening eight league games as they sit fifth in the table.

"I'm enjoying it, but it's a tough life, you know," Valakari said. "Every match, it's so tough. But as I said, we worked so hard to get back here and it would be stupid not to enjoy it.

"We are enjoying it but at the same time, we are very realistic, very humble, knowing how tough it is, and that's why every match for us it's like our unique opportunity to show ourselves.

"[To] show what kind of club we are, what kind of team we are, and so far our players have been very good."

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has revealed he decided to pursue other targets when considered signing Ruari Paton permanently after his loan from Port Vale, but he is delighted the 26-year-old striker is now playing regularly in the Scottish Premiership with St Johnstone. (Daily Record, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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• St. Johnstone's Josh Fowler is the top scorer in this season's Scottish Premiership, scoring five goals from just 10 shots (50% conversion), six of which have been on target.

• Dundee United have won both of their last two league games, last winning three in a row in April 2025 – when the third win was over St. Johnstone.

• After their 1-0 win over Aberdeen, St. Johnstone are looking to earn back-to-back victories in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since February 2025, and first time without conceding since March 2021.

• Dundee United have won four of their last seven visits to St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership (D2 L1) and could win successive trips to McDiarmid Park in the top-flight for the first time since April 2012.

• St. Johnstone have lost each of their last three league games against Dundee United, their longest top-flight losing run against the Tangerines since a run of four defeats from May 2001 to January 2002.

New Scotland centre-half Luke Graham was with St Johnstone before joining Dundee, who sold him for £2m to Stoke City this summer, and new head of academy Paul McDonald is determined to ensure the Perth club do not lose such talent again. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Sam Miller
Fan writer

There was something familiar about Sunday's 1-0 triumph over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Josh Fowler's coolly dispatched first-half penalty delivered three vital Premiership points, but if you look closely at the steel and determination on display, you have to wonder: did the squad draw inspiration from a viral clip of club icon Frazer Wright?

​Last weekend, internet feeds were inundated with footage of Wright's famously unapologetic tackle at the Tennent's Sixes.

It was uncompromising, ruthlessly competitive, and delightfully old school.

While nobody was asking Simo Valakari's side to completely throw caution or the rulebook to the wind, that crunching viral moment served as a timely reminder of what it truly means to play for St Johnstone: grit, fight, and absolute defiance.

​At Pittodrie, Saints channelled that exact spirit. We stood resolute against the Dons, throwing bodies in front of shots, disrupting their rhythm, and refusing to give an inch.

Fowler's spot-kick provided the advantage, but the sheer work-rate without the ball secured the victory.

​If Wright's internet-breaking challenge reminded this team of the inner fire required to wear the jersey, then long may the viral clips continue!

Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints, external

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The goals temporarily dried up for Josh Fowler last season after his January move to St Johnstone but now the 24-year-old is the leading scorer in the Scottish Premiership as he embarks on just his second term in senior football.

An early penalty at Pittodrie took Fowler's tally to five from eight outings and was enough to earn the promoted Perth side victory on Sunday.

After prolific spells in the contrasting surrounds of Beith Juniors and Dubai City, Fowler continued his free-scoring form at Queen's Park, knocking in 19 goals in 25 appearances before St Johnstone snapped him up.

He would only add two goals to Saints' title-winning effort in the Championship but now they are flowing again.

"The biggest asset for a striker is confidence," former Saints centre forward Cillian Sheridan told the BBC Scotland Football Podcast.

"It gives you that extra half-yard, you feel stronger and fitter.

"Teams that build up play and like to be attacking need a striker that's going to put chances away. At the moment, Josh Fowler is doing that.

"He'll be looking forward to every game and to every chance that comes his way."

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St Johnstone defender Matty Foulds' hard work in training paid off after picking up his first appearance in two months during Sunday's 1-0 victory at Aberdeen.

The 28-year-old, who made 30 appearances across all competitions for the Saints last term, was named in the starting XI for the first time since a 1-0 defeat to St Mirren back in August.

And the left-back helped Simo Valakari's side keep their first clean sheet of the season, with Josh Fowler's penalty converted penalty for St Johnstone the only goal at Pittodrie.

Cheick Diabate was suspended for the game while Zach Mitchell's loan spell from Charlton was cut short by a serious injury so Foulds and Liam Smith lined up in a makeshift back three alongside Dan Finlayson.

"It was new for us playing together in that formation," Foulds told the club website. "But we have all played enough games to understand what our role was.

"It was important that we talked with each other to get through the game.

"You sometimes need to bide your time and, when you get your chance, take it.

"We demand a lot out of each other in training. You always need to be spot on. Even the lads who didn't come on for this particular game, everyone has a massive part to play. We're all together.

"We would have liked to have had more of the ball, but we found a different way to win a football match."

St Johnstone fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Jack: Superb win for Saints. A clear penalty and Josh Fowler finishes it as he always does. Aberdeen had plenty of chances but couldn't find the back of the net. Dan Finlayson was my man of the match, super defensive shift. Onwards and upwards.

Ian: I, a lifetime Saintee from Perth, now a season ticket holder at Leicester City. Leicester has a poor management structure and team coach, who have alienated fans who see a bleak future. Saints are fortunate to have an owner who has a long term vision and a manager who has united a squad to fight for one another and the supporters, who ultimately are the life blood of the Saints. In unity of purpose is strength. Thank you Adam Webb and Simo Valakari. We are on the up.

Stuart: With no Zach Mitchell or Cheick Diabate this game could've gone bad very quickly, reassuring to know we have the resilience to hang in when needed. Fowler is looking more and more like the striker we've needed for a long time, and I hope we can hold onto him for a good while.

Watch all the highlights as St Johnstone narrowly defeat Aberdeen at Pittodrie to move into the top six of the Scottish Premiership. Available to UK users only.

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St Johnstone head coach Simo Valakari: "There has been a lot of talk about how we want to control games. Mostly that's with the ball but today, that was not possible.

"We still controlled it without the ball. Defended very well in our own box, mostly kept them out the dangerous zones. Yes, a lot of crosses and corners but that's normal.

"I'm very pleased with our players. We still want to attack but we can defend as well, it was a very good display.

"I was very pleased with how we started and the action that led to the penalty was very good play by us. Fowler coolly scored the penalty and then we needed to defend.

"What we learnt from this match is that when we were 1-0 down, when our backs are against the wall, we learnt what to do with the ball.

"We had a couple of moments to go and score a second goal. That's one thing we need to learn.

"Our players are great human beings, great characters, and I love all of them. It's a team sport, we all need to push in the same direction. If one isn't doing it, we're not strong.

"It's important we all push the same way and then, you can see what's possible."

St Johnstone rose into the Scottish Premiership top six with a rare away victory over Aberdeen as Josh Fowler's early penalty proved decisive.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say on the game via this link.

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Aberdeen pair Brad Lyons and Emmanuel Gyamfi are both back in contention so Kristers Tobers (knee) is the only definite absentee.

On-loan Saints defender Zach Mitchell has returned to Charlton with a season-ending knee injury and Cheick Diabate is suspended after his red card against Falkirk before the international break.

Croatian centre-back Bozo Mikulic could make a return from his lengthy injury lay-off, having come through two closed-doors matches.

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St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari admits the loss of on-loan defender Zach Mitchell to a season-ending knee injury is a "big blow", but remains confident someone else in the squad can step up.

The 21-year-old has returned to Charlton for treatment and rehabilitation after suffering the injury against Falkirk before the international break and undergoing surgery.

Mitchell made nine appearances in his second loan spell in Perth and had become a key member of Valakari's defence.

"He will come back stronger and we were already talking after the operation with him about when the recovery and rehabilitation will start," Valakari told Saints TV.

"Of course it is a big blow, first of all for the boy with those things happening, but at the same time (there is) a feeling for our fans because they don't see a great player playing in action for your team. We were a better team when he was with us, but these things happen.

"I have always said it - we are as strong as our squad is and we have a strong squad. Now there will be some player stepping in and taking this place."

Saints resume the domestic campaign in sixth place on eight points before Sunday's trip to Aberdeen.

Centre-back Cheick Diabate is suspended after his red card against Falkirk.

Croatian defender Bozo Mikulic could make a return from his lengthy injury lay-off, having come through through two closed-doors matches.

Valakari said: "Cheick Diabate is missing through the suspension. It is one game, he will be out, but otherwise, everyone is fit and healthy, so it is a good situation."

Centre-half Bozo Mikulic is poised to return to St Johnstone's starting XI for the first time in eight months against Aberdeen - two years since the 29-year-old was forced to pull out a game at Pittodrie after being injured in the warm-up. (The Courier, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

• Prior to the international break, St Johnstone recovered more points from losing positions than any side in the Scottish Premiership (5), drawing 1-1 with Falkirk despite conceding first last time out.

• Only bottom side Kilmarnock have had fewer shots (69) than Aberdeen (70) in the Premiership this season, with the Dons' 7.16 xG the lowest of any side.

• Aberdeen have only lost one of their past 14 home league matches against newly-promoted opponents (W7 D6), a 1-0 defeat to Falkirk last season.

• St Johnstone have only won one of their past 10 league meetings with Aberdeen (D4 L5), a 2-0 away victory in February 2024.

• St Johnstone have won one of their past 16 away games in the Premiership (D3 L12), beating St Mirren 1-0 in February 2025.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Are underlying numbers from the start of the Scottish Premiership season suggesting a refreshed approach could be taking hold across the league?

Well, the success stories at Motherwell and Falkirk last season seem to have had an influence.

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin was humble enough to reveal that Jens Berthel Askou - now head coach at Toulouse in Ligue 1 - has inspired him to change his ways after more than 15 years as a player and manager in Scotland.

Goodwin's side are one of a number of Premiership teams to have undergone a stylistic shift this term, and that is reflected in the league's overall numbers, albeit the sample size remains small after just seven matches for each club.

Compared with the previous five Scottish top-flight seasons, passes per game have soared to 886. That is an increase of 58 on last term. Five years ago, the average was 795.

Passing accuracy is also at a high of 81%, which is quite a remarkable increase on the 73% recorded in 2023-24.

That is down to more short passing. The percentage of long passes across the league (13%) is now at its lowest level of the past five years. Perhaps surprisingly, Hearts and Rangers go long more than any other teams.

Goodwin's United, meanwhile, have gone from average possession of 42% last term to 50% this season. Their accurate passes per match have rocketed from 219 to 320.

It is a similar story for St Mirren under Craig McLeish and Neil McCann's Kilmarnock, while league leaders Celtic and Alfred Johansson's Motherwell are locked at the top of the possession chart on 61%.

The promotion of St Johnstone back into the league, replacing Livingston, has added another side who aim to play a more expansive brand.

The recent appointment of Dutch head coach Marink Reedijk at Hibernian will only enhance that.

Read more: Why early-season data points to Premiership style shift