St Johnstone

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "Our players were fantastic today, and our fans were unbelievable. Going down 1-0 first half we did not freeze. We just kept gong and the fans were backing us.

"I was very pleased to hear the things our player were talking about half-time and what we needed to do. It was just a matter of going and doing it and I'm so pleased for everyone.

"It was a good way for the referee to explain why it took so long. There were many incidents he needed to look at. It would have been a penalty to us for a handball by the defender [anyway].

"It was a good openness from the referee to explain it.

"Nothing has changed. We got the three points but tomorrow and Monday we are back to work and we still have a lot of things to improve."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Despite being denied the chance to manage his team from the sidelines, Simo Valakari's energy and enthusiasm since arriving in Scotland has brought intrigue about whether he can breathe life into St Johnstone's season.

It did not appear to be the case in the first half, which was joyless from both sides and in particular for the Saints defence which gifted Dundee the opener.

But after the break St Johnstone's sharpness and intensity lifted instantly, and pacy strikers Adama Sidibeh and Benjamin Kimpioka got into the game.

Both fashioned chances in the box before the goals eventually came, with Carey scoring a trademark goal and the wily Nicky Clark popping up with the crucial moment.

Jason Holt also really impressed in midfield. Craig Levein was adamant before his departure he had assembled a more attacking squad than in seasons gone by in Perth.

The former boss is absolutely right about that and it will be fascinating to see how Valakari can harness it, while also working on a shaky defence.

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Dundee midfielder Mo Sylla returns from suspension, while defender Jordan McGhee and midfielder Scott Fraser will be assessed.

And centre-half Joe Shaughnessy is making good progress from a long-term knee injury.

Croat centre-half Bozo Mikulic is still waiting on a work permit to complete his move to St Johnstone after leaving Partizan Tirana.

The visitors will also again be without Cammy MacPherson, Uche Ikpeazu and Sam McClelland.

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Dundee midfielder Mo Sylla returns from suspension while Jordan McGhee and Scott Fraser will be assessed. Joe Shaughnessy is making good progress from a long-term knee injury.

St Johnstone will again be without Cammy MacPherson, Uche Ikpeazu (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles), while Croatian centre-half Bozo Mikulic is still waiting on a work permit.

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Barry Douglas was persuaded to join St Johnstone by head coach Simo Valakari and his desire to "change the narrative" around the Perth club.

The 35-year-old left-back was out of contract over the summer after three years at Polish side Lech Poznan and was keen to keep playing.

"The coach was probably the deciding factor,” said Douglas. “I had a very different summer because it was the first time in 18 years that I was free so I had no expectation.

"I just fully immersed myself in enjoying it with the family. We travelled and had some amazing holidays, but as the time goes on, you start to get itchy feet and that definitely happened with me.

"I felt I was lacking a wee bit of purpose. I wanted to be around that day-to-day interaction, which you don’t get when you’re just training by yourself. And then it had to be something that motivated me."

St Johnstone have had to battle to hold on to their Premiership status during the last two seasons, off the back of back-to-back top six finishes and the famous Cup double of the 20-21 season.

"I’m fortunate enough to play football not for financial reasons, it needs to be about the project to motivate me," Douglas added.

"When I spoke to the coach, I learned how he wanted to play and change the narrative around St Johnstone. That was what appealed to me to come here.

"I know my body and if I didn’t feel I was adequate enough to keep playing, then I would have hung up the boots, but I feel very good mentally and physically. I just need to get up to speed with the sharpness and let’s see how I can contribute.”

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St Johnstone's new head coach Simo Valakari will finally make his first appearance on the touchline against Dundee on Saturday.

The former Motherwell midfielder was appointed on 1 October but has yet to fully take charge of the team on a matchday due to visa issues.

In a statement last week, the club said the problem was "completely outside of club control" but they have now confirmed Valakari will be in the dugout.

Since the 51-year-old Finn replaced Craig Levein at the helm, coaches Andy Kirk and Alec Cleland have taken control of the team on match days, with Saints losing at Rangers before beating Ross County in Perth.

However, Valakari will be present on the bench at Dens Park and will also be available for media duties.

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• Dundee have won their last two league meetings with St Johnstone, last winning three in a row against the Perth side in the top flight in April 2002 under Ivano Bonetti.

• St Johnstone are winless in six Scottish Premiership meetings with Dundee (D3 L3), this after winning five in a row against the Dark Blues beforehand.

• After their 1-0 win at Motherwell, Dundee are looking to win back-to-back league games for the first time since March last season – when their second win was over St Johnstone (2-1).

• Having beaten Ross County 3-0 last time out, St Johnstone are looking to earn back-to-back league wins for the first time since November 2022 (run of three). This will be their 72nd league match since they last won consecutively.

• Benjamin Kimpioka has scored four goals in seven league games for St Johnstone this season, surpassing his tally for the club in the whole of last season (three in 17).

Sam Miller
Fan writer

Remarkably, the weekend win over Ross County was the first time we have scored a first-half goal and taken the lead in a league game at home since January.

Looking back, every turgid match during that run seemed the same.

Saturday was different. A performance full of confidence, cohesion and most importantly... goals!

Although the red tape has yet to be cut for new boss Simo Valakari to take to the dugout, his influence can certainly be seen through bold team selections and an air of freshness throughout the whole squad.

The shackles seem to have departed McDiarmid along with the former gaffer and long may it continue.

Sam Miller can be found at The Dogger Saints, external

Ghana international Dennis Khorsa, a 28-year-old who can operate at left-back, left centre-half or as a holding midfielder, has begun a trial with St Johnstone set up by previous manager Craig Levein. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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St Johnstone have announced the signing of Scotland international Barry Douglas on a free transfer.

The 35-year-old left-back, who was most recently contracted to Lech Poznan, has penned a deal until the end of the season.

Douglas earned his only Scotland cap in 2018, and has won the English Championship with both Wolves and Leeds United.

"It is an exciting time," Douglas said. "I am looking forward to the opportunity to come in and try to help the guys develop.

"There is a project here. It is a bit of a transition period with the new manager coming in.

"I had a look and it is quite a young squad, so I can definitely bring my quality and experience to help everyone develop both on and off the park.

"The hunger is still there, the drive is still there and that is why I am so excited to be here playing my football."

BBC Sportscene pundits Neil McCann and Barry Robson reflect on St Johnstone's goal scoring in their 3-0 win against Ross County.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

St Johnstone have suffered from goal-drought for what feels like forever. Not anymore.

Craig Levein may be gone but he deserves great credit for bringing Adama Sidebeh and Benjamin Kimpioka to the club. The latter stole the show at McDiarmid Park against Ross County with two goals.

Allan: Dundee will be a bigger test but what a game to win, season could look a brighter by next Saturday.

Craig: A much more complete performance. Benjamin Kimpioka needs that lifetime contract offered NOW! Worth every penny.

Robin: A routine home win - can't remember the last time we could say that. A team with a plan, a team happy to retain possession and a team not threatened by a County side hampered by ill-discipline was very pleasing. Moving on, Saturday is our biggest game of the season and we need a full 90-minute performance.

Anon: It was more like our St Johnstone that we haven't seen in a long time. They actually worked as a team having our two players back from suspension, no doubt was a big moral boost to the lads. Drey Wright and Matt Smith were brilliant as was Jason Holt. And when Makenzie Kirk came on he was just his usual self, got right into the nitty gritty and scored. Great player.