Valakari doesn't blame players for rejecting St Johnstone

Manager Simo Valakari does not blame players for not wanting to join St Johnstone in the January transfer window, given their current league position.

The McDiarmid Park boss has been hoping to add more players to a squad who prop up the Scottish Premiership, but disappointing results have made some think again about making the move to Perth.

When asked if recruitment had proven difficult during his first window in charge, he said: "One hundred per cent, no hiding.

"We have been working hard before the window to finalise the players, get them in.

"When [poor results] happened this festive period and we end up in the position where we are, many things didn't come out.

"And I don't blame the players because they see, they feel they have one career, they feel their reputation."

St Johnstone are eight points adrift of Hearts at the bottom of the top flight and Valakari's side travel to face Rangers on Sunday (15:00 GMT).

They have only won four league games all season, three on Valakari's watch.

And the Finnish manager believes if players are not up for the fight ahead it's probably the right decision for them not to move to McDiarmid Park.

"You need to be a tough guy to play in this position," he explained.

"So maybe to see the silver lining as well, if you were not ready to take this fight, you were not the right player to come to our club.

"So, however it is, but definitely, yes, it's hard."