St Johnstone

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Simo Valakari has been speaking to the media before St Johnstone host fellow strugglers Ross County this weekend.

Here are the key points from the Perth boss:

• Saints will be relegated if they lose to County but Valakari insists they have enough to beat the drop and "miracles do happen".

• He adds: "It has been a lot of talking about this pressure, our situation, things like that. But it's almost like we are going to the cup final. We can't play the occasion. We can't take the pressure of this and this. We need to play football. We need to make sure that we concentrate on one pass at a time, one throw-in at a time, one header, duel, second ball."

• The Finn says jobs are on the line, including his own, if the club are relegated.

• On whether he expects to be in charge next season: "You need to ask the owners. I want to be here."

• On being linked with the vacancy at HJK Helsinki last weekend: "No, that's history. All the time I said, from the first day when I came here, I want to be in this football club."

• Valakari says financially staying in the Premiership is "huge" for St Johnstone.

• He insists this week there "is no hiding" and everyone knows what is at stake.

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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If St Johnstone are beaten at home by Ross County, their 16-year stay in the top flight will be over.

A home victory would pull the Saints three points behind the visitors with two games remaining but they have been in 'must-win' territory for a while and have lost three in a row in the Premiership since a shock success against Celtic.

County are in even worse shape, though, picking up nothing from their previous six matches and failing to score in four of those.

Thanks to the vagaries of the split, this will be a third home game for St Johnstone against County this season and they have won the other two, with Simo Valakari looking on for the first as he waited for paperwork to clear on his appointment.

The Perth side are unbeaten in their past six meetings with the Staggies but have been forced to play with a patched up defence of late and looked extremely vulnerable in the 2-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park last time.

A draw is no use to St Johnstone at this stage, so Valakari has to go for it.

Can he rouse a depleted squad for a big push against opponents who are likely to be feeling just as jittery?

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

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• Defeat for St Johnstone in this match will see them relegated from the Scottish Premiership for the first time since 2001-02.

• St Johnstone are unbeaten in six league meetings with Ross County (W4 D2), winning the past two. The Perth side have never previously beaten the Staggies three times in a row in the top flight.

• County have lost three of their past four league trips to St Johnstone (D1), including both of their past two without scoring.

• St Johnstone have lost their last three league games and could lose four in a row for the second time this season, having previously done so in December.

• County have lost their past six league games; only once before have they ever lost seven in a row in the top flight, doing so when losing each of their opening seven matches of 2014-15.

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Don Cowie is targeting a "huge" Ross County victory in Perth on Saturday to relegate St Johnstone.

The Staggies have a six-point cushion over the rock-bottom Perth side with three matches remaining.

County remain in the relegation play-off spot - a point behind Dundee - and are seeking to end a run of six successive defeats in the relegation showdown.

"It would be huge," said manager Cowie. "It stops the run that we're on. It gives us a real opportunity to go into the two games after that.

"We would put it in our own hands going into the last two games. That's why winning the game is really important for us.

"In order to do that, we have to go and show it. St Johnstone are fighting for their lives as well. They're not going to make it easy for us.

"It's a place that we've not done too well in the past, but records are there to change. We've done that many times this season already and that gives us real belief.

"Sometimes it's not always about the performance. It's about being strong, being together and finding a way to win a game of football. That's what we'll be looking to do this weekend."

County are yet to beat St Johnstone this season, losing twice at McDiarmid Park after a 3-3 draw in Dingwall.

"We've got to recognise we can't change the last few weeks, we're really disappointed in terms of the results that we've had in that period of time, but it's up to us to change it," added Cowie.

"St Johnstone are very stuck in their way and the principles that they want to do. They're a really good footballing team.

"They want to play out from the back on all occasions. They've got players in the final third that can hurt you.

"They've got different qualities and lots of options in that area as well. We have to be ready for that. At the same time, we have to be ready to punish them at any opportunity."

Sam Miller
Fan writer

The phrase 'must win' has been used quite a bit around McDiarmid Park since January and, unfortunately, those matches haven't gone our way. However, we're not out of the running yet.

This Saturday's game is undeniably critical. Whether you call it a 'must win' or a 'six- pointer', beating Ross County will close the gap to just three points with two matches remaining.

It won't be an easy task. Our performance in last weekend's loss to Kilmarnock, another game framed as 'must win', was concerning.

It looked as though a majority of players lacked fight and already had their minds on the off-season, which is worrying for both the fans and management.

Adding to our challenges, we've had significant changes in defence. The departures of Jack Sanders and Kyle Cameron in January were followed by injuries to their replacements, Bozo Mikulic and Zach Mitchell, who had been performing well above standard. This has left us with a patched-up defence - a large contributor to our downfall.

The situation for Saturday is clear: win, or face relegation. If the players cannot find the motivation for this game, then they are not the type I want around my club for next season.

Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints, external

Watch all the action from Kilmarnock's 2-0 win over relegation-threatened St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

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We asked for your views on St Johnstone's defeat to Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Here's what some of you said:

Daniel: No way back now, the top flight spell is over. Games v Hamilton and Livingston suggest little chance of a bounce back with Simo Valakari, games where we rely entirely on fluke goals with a better squad than we'll have next season. Owners have a decision to make.

Gordy: Quite simple - no future, in whichever division, with the current manager. Absolutely lacking in judgement as to team selection. He has tested playing out from the back to destruction. Finally no passion which is translated to the team and the fans.

Ally: Got to keep faith with Valakari. We've been three years in decline with one bad decision after another. We were too slow to sack Callum Davidson, got lazy with the Steven MacLean appointment and Craig Levein was never the right fit. We have got to give Valakari time to change and develop the squad. He has a track record of winning things with smaller teams but he needs time and transfer windows to do it.

Ian: Valakari is a lovely guy with great ideas but doesn't have the quality of players to implement. Unfortunately, not what the Saints need during this time. Will he stay next season? How would his style translate into the lower division? I fear we may just linger for a few seasons as we lose any quality players.

Kieran: Second best in all departments yet again, the story of the season. Makeshift defence creaking at every sight of a Killie attack too many players either out of position or out of their depth in the top flight. Josh McPake's performance was the only positive in what was a drastically sub par day at the office. At the time where we needed the players to step up and give us some hope of staying up fans left wanting yet again. Style of play out the window, no tempo to the attacks, is Simo the man for the job?

Jimmy: We had a couple of chances, stout defending from Killie kept the ball out of their goal and more defensive issues cost us the points. There is still hope, we definitely need maximum points from our next home games. Also, other results could help us out, but we need to win this game first and foremost.

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• St. Johnstone have conceded 32 first-half goals in 35 games, more than any other in the Premiership this season.

• By the 44th minute, St. Johnstone had attempted 11 shots in this match - higher than their season average of 10.0 in the Premiership. However, they have failed to score - as has happened in 25 of their 35 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• They have conceded 14 goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Simo Valakari's side have now lost their last three games in the Premiership - their last longer losing streak was from 14 December to 29 December 2024, a run of four games.

• Danny Armstrong has successfully converted his last five penalties in the Premiership, last failing to score on 2 September 2023 against Ross County.

• The winger has contributed to goals in his last four games in the Premiership (two goals, two assists).

St Johnstone's Scottish Premiership survival has been left hanging by a thread after Kilmarnock brushed them aside at McDiarmid Park to move closer to safety.

St Johnstone's fourth loss in five league games leaves them are eight points adrift of 10th place with three games to play, and six behind Ross County in 11th.

What did you make of that, St Johnstone fans? What went wrong in the loss?

Does a change need to be made in the dugout? Do you think you have any chance of avoiding relegation?

Let us know your thoughts.

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St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari told BBC Scotland: "The fight continues. Other results give us a little lifeline and that's what we need to grab.

"We could not perform well enough today. We knew against Kilmarnock, if you go 1-0 down it will be difficult and I'm very disappointed in how we give away the first goal.

"We are very honest with ourselves, it was not good enough how we defended in crucial moments. It doesn't matter who you play, you need to be better with that.

"Disappointment, everyone is down, but we need to pick ourselves up. We have these three matches to grab something. It's the next match. No time to feel sorry for ourselves. It's hard to pick yourself up but we need to do it."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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That's almost that for St Johnstone, but they'll go down sticking to the principles of play that Simo Valakari has tried to install.

Today, they were beaten by a fine strike and a penalty - two little mistakes that were severely punished.

The inclusion of Uche Ikpeazu was the eyebrow-raiser, finally returning from an injury picked up before the season even started.

His signing, made by Craig Levein, was supposed to be a statement of intent but unfortunately it has gone almost totally wrong.

Today was the start of his redemption story, but try as he might, it just wouldn't come off for him today.

It wasn't for lack of effort. He was bullying defenders, holding them off or winning headers, rolling them when they came to close.

A bit of match sharpness and he might have been on the scoresheet, and Saints fans might be left wondering what could have been.

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Uche Ikpeazu. You're guaranteed entertainment when the big guy plays.

He's had a rotten time of it since signing last summer, allegedly picking up a knee injury coming down the stairs in his house, but he's had to fight back to fitness and unfortunately, it's probably too little, too late.

He did his utmost today, tiring in the second half, bodying defenders left and right and showing an impressively deft touch.

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St Johnstone remain without Zach Mitchell (hamstring), Drey Wright (ankle) and long-term absentees Bozo Mikulic (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles).

Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons will probably miss the game with a groin problem and Joe Wright will miss out with a hip injury. Kyle Magennis is back running and looking to join in training next week following his recovery from a knee injury.

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St Johnstone striker Makenzie Kirk says there has "always been a belief" in the dressing room, as the Perth Saints aim for an unlikely escape from relegation.

The Perth side have lost twice in the Scottish Premiership - both away from home - since beating champions Celtic, and currently sit six points adrift of the pack with just four games left.

The return to McDiarmid Park on Saturday though when they host Kilmarnock, followed by a further two home matches to either side of a trip to Tynecastle to take on Hearts.

Kirk said: "The next two games, especially at home, they're massive for us.

"We need to get a result. So it's important for us to focus on the task ahead.

"There's always been that belief within the dressing room. It's just about staying together and making sure that we can stay focused and get the results.

"The pressure is dealt with within the dressing room. We need to take a game at a time and we need to focus on the task ahead.

"We just need to make sure that when we go into the game on Saturday that we're fully focused and ready to do what we need to do."

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Derek McInnes has warned Kilmarnock must be ready to "fight fire with fire" against a St Johnstone side who are in "last chance saloon".

Saints are six points adrift of second-bottom Ross County with just four games left.

But Killie, who sit ninth, are taking nothing for granted at McDiarmid Park on Saturday as they look to move further clear of trouble with just a third away win of the season.

"If I was the St Johnstone manager, I'd still feel we had a real chance," said McInnes.

"I feel that when you hear Simo [Valakari] speak, he's full of belief and full of encouragement for his players to believe that they can get a result.

"And they'll be thinking that if they can go and win the next couple of games, then they're right back in it.

"I think Motherwell are now the only team in the bottom six who can breathe a bit easier after their win last weekend and there's still work for us all to do and we are well aware of that.

"St Johnstone are possibly in the last chance saloon in terms of winning games, but we're well aware of their threats.

"St Johnstone can beat us on any given day, they've shown that this season and they can beat other teams.

"They are a team that puts bodies forward. They've got good players and I think a lot of their best players are probably attacking players.

"So with that in mind I think, you normally see an attacking approach from St Johnstone and I firmly believe that will be the case.

"They will come right after us, they will see this as a big chance for them, they are at home and we have got to be ready to fight fire with fire, as we will do."

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• St Johnstone have won five of their past six Scottish Premiership home games against Kilmarnock, with the exception a 2-0 defeat in April 2024.

• Kilmarnock have won three of their past five league meetings with St Johnstone (L2), as many as their previous 13 beforehand (W3 D3 L7).

• St Johnstone have won three of their past five home league games (D1 L1), one more than across their previous 20 beforehand (W2 D5 L13). The Perth side could win back-to-back home matches in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since December 2023.

• Kilmarnock have lost their past six away league games, last losing seven in a row on the road in the Scottish Premiership in May 2021 under Tommy Wright en route to relegation.

• Bruce Anderson is the first player to score 10+ goals in a Scottish Premiership season for Kilmarnock since Eamonn Brophy in 2018-19 (11). However, Anderson has scored just two goals in 16 appearances against St Johnstone in the competition, only scoring fewer against Celtic (0) and Hearts (one) among sides he had faced 6+ times.

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It will come as little surprise to anyone that the latest attempt at reconstruction of the Scottish Premiership has failed to get off the ground.

A change from the current 12-team set-up to one of 10, 14 or 16 were the options being discussed but the SPFL said "there was no reasonable prospect of achieving consensus".

Maintaining the status quo is a consequence of there being "no perfect option" for change, according to The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, McGowan said: "If you look at the options for expanding the Premiership, for 14 you would have to have probably a top six and a bottom eight and a different number of fixtures. So that's less than ideal.

"Look at the 16, which is the one that supporters really want. But Neil Doncaster has been saying consistently that you would then have to find a way to still preserve your four Celtic v Rangers games because Sky sports are not a charity. They're a subscription network who want to get the biggest numbers for games. So they want more Celtic and Rangers games.

"So it's how you square that circle with the 16 that's the problem. So it's not so much I don't think there's no great desire for expansions. There's no such thing as a perfect option and one that they can all vote for. That's the problem basically."

Former Scotland defender Maurice Ross, meanwhile, has accused Premiership clubs of "self-preservation".

"If they're going to remain the same, okay, let's put two clubs [automatically] down then and have a third-place play-off," said Ross.

"And we'll see what the reaction is of the clubs in four or five years' time. Then they'll want reconstruction."

St Johnstone defender Zach Mitchell has returned to parent club Charlton as the Perth outfit wait for news about whether he can play again this season. (Courier), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish Gossip

Sam Miller
Fan writer

Lapses in defence were once again the team's downfall last weekend.

It has been the most common of tales for the sorry Saints this season. You can't concede the types of goals we did against Motherwell and expect to compete at the higher end of the league.

We are in the position we are in based purely on the softest of goals conceded every week.

It's a huge game and one last throw of the dice on Saturday against Kilmarnock. Many things will have to go our way if we are to claw ourselves out of this mess.

If we are unable to get the job done then the reset button needs hit for the Championship campaign and Simo Valakari has to remain at the helm.

A conveyor belt of manager sackings is not in the Saints blueprint and faith needs to be shown in the Finn.

This is a thought for another day - all focus must on be putting Killie to the sword and trying to get us to safety.

Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints, external

Watch as the Sportscene team analyse St Johnstone's chances of survival following their defeat by Motherwell on Saturday.

Watch the Sportscene panel analyse St Johnstone's disastrous defending in their 3-2 defeat by Motherwell.

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