St Johnstone

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Simo Valakari has no issues with Hearts loanee Adam Forrester making a quick return to Tynecastle, with the St Johnstone manager saying "we all knew" how the cooperation agreements would work.

Under the new Scottish FA initiative, Premiership teams are able to send under-21 players to clubs lower in the pyramid over and above the current loan system.

Last week Hearts entered into a player partnership with St Johnstone and right-back Adam Forrester moved to Perth on a season-long loan.

However, such is the fluidity of the cooperation system, he has now returned to Tynecastle because of an injury to right-back Christian Borchgrevink.

Valakari said: "Nothing has changed. I would like to have him very much here, but we all knew it.

"Hearts have the power. Adam as a player, he knew what that type of agreement is.

"If something happens they can call him back. They did call him back so he is now there. Now he is there I am not going to waste any more of my focus on this and this.

"For me we knew it when we signed the agreement that can happen, it happened.

"Yes he can [come back to St Johnstone in the future] but I can't control what Hearts are doing, so we are focused on what we have here."

St Johnstone have rejected an offer from Peterborough United for 21-year-old striker Makenzie Kirk, having previously knocked back bids from Bristol Rovers and a Scottish Premiership club this summer as well as holding discussions with Championship rivals Dunfermline Athletic. (Daily Record), external

St Johnstone are unlikely to allow Makenzie Kirk to join Championship rivals Dunfermline Athletic, but two Premiership clubs have lodged an interest in the striker while bids have been rejected from Bristol Rovers and Peterborough United. (The Courier), external

Heart of Midlothian are considering recalling 20-year-old Adam Forrester from his loan to St Johnstone after Christian Borchgrevink was ruled out for a number of weeks with a thigh injury, leaving the Premiership club short at right-back. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Hearts have entered into a cooperation agreement with Championship side St Johnstone, the club's second under the new Scottish FA initiative.

Right-back Adam Forrester, 20, will join Simo Valakari's squad, who are targeting an immediate return to the Scottish Premiership, on loan for the remainder of the season.

Under player partnership agreements, which came into effect this summer and aim to aid the development of emerging Scottish talent, up to three young players can move more freely between the parent and lower-league club.

Premiership clubs can partner with one team in each of the three SPFL tiers below the top flight.

Derek McInnes' side last month entered into a cooperation agreement with League Two Spartans.

McInnes said Hearts are "very pleased" to partner with the Perth Saints and hopes Forrester receives game-time, which is "crucial for him to keep developing and improving".

St Johnstone have agreed a deal with Heart of Midlothian to take 20-year-old right-back Adam Forrester on loan. (The Courier), external

St Johnstone are pushing to complete the loan signing of Adam Forrester from Hearts before Friday night's league trip to Ross County after a deal was verbally agreed. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Dunfermline Athletic, Ross County and St Johnstone are all keen on a move for 22-year-old Dundee United forward Kai Fotheringham. (The Courier), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari is looking to sign a replacement for Uche Ikpeazu as the striker has turned down a new contract that gets rid of an exit clause the 30-year-old can trigger up until the summer transfer window closes. (The Courier), external

St Johnstone have not put Panama midfielder Victor Griffith on the transfer list, but head coach Simo Valakari has challenged the 24-year-old to force his way back into the team after not featuring in their Premier Sports Cup group games. (The Courier), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Motherwell travel to face St Johnstone in the second round of the League Cup.

The Championship side had a flawless record in Group F, winning four from four, while Motherwell topped Group G.

Ties are due to be played on the weekend of 16th/17th August.

Livingston are in pole position to land 21-year-old midfielder Aidan Denholm from Hearts despite Scottish Premiership rivals Motherwell also being keen along with Championship pair Ross County and St Johnstone. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Simo Valakari says striker Uche Ikpeazu faces an uncertain future at St Johnstone, despite being under contract until next summer and scoring Saturday's winning goal, as the relegated club's manager does not know if the 30-year-old "will be with us" by the end of the transfer window. (The Courier), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Midfielder Reece McAlear has left Livingston to join Championship side St Johnstone for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old made 37 appearances for Livingston and scored four goals in their Championship promotion campaign after moving from Tranmere Rovers last summer.

McAlear, who has penned a two-year deal, becomes St Johnstone's second signing of the day after former Hibs midfielder Stephen Mallan.

"I'm a player who likes to get on the ball and dominate the ball. I know the league very well and hopefully that can benefit the team," said McAlear.

"It's a chance for me to play more football and I really am excited to get going."

Trinidad and Tobago defender Andre Raymond is leaving St Johnstone for Finnish club Ilves in a £50,000 transfer. (Robert Thomson on X), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.