St Johnstone

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The 2024-25 SPFL schedule will be unveiled at 09:00 BST on Thursday, and we've got all the information you need before the return of domestic football.

The action in all four leagues kicks off on the weekend of 3 August.

Eight months later, the Premiership split happens on the weekend of 12 and 13 April and the top-flight season concludes on the weekend of 17 and 18 May.

And while it might be too painful to be thinking about the national team, there are international periods in September, October, November and March to bear in mind.

There will not, however, be a winter break this season.

The expansion of Uefa's club competitions - with the new league phase of the Champions League and Europa League running until the end of January - is the reason for that.

The SPFL said the format change "exerts additional pressure on the domestic calendar" and means no mid-season trips to the sunshine for Premiership clubs.

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Motherwell have announced the signing of defender Liam Gordon from St Johnstone on a two-year deal.

The 28-year-old captained the Perth side to Premiership survival last season, but turned down a new deal, instead opting to move to Fir Park.

Gordon made 201 appearances for St Johnstone and lifted both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup during his long spell at McDiarmid Park.

"We have been working to bring Liam to the club for a number of weeks now," Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

"I've spoken with people who know Liam really well and they all speak highly of him as a person, as well as a player.

"He is a leader and someone who gives everything for the badge. It’s that sort of mentality that we need in our team.

"We’ve brought in a player who was skipper at a team in our league last season, I think that really shows how good a move this is."

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St Johnstone, Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers all interested in Gabby McGill after the 23-year-old striker left Airdrieonians. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of today's Scottish football gossip here.

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St Johnstone youngsters Taylor Steven and Liam Parker are looking to impress Craig Levein this summer after signing new deals.

Attacking midfielder Steven, who scored 10 goals on loan at Alloa in League 1 last season, has penned a two-year deal while defender Parker has agreed a 12-month extension.

Steven, 19, said: "When you get a chance, you need to take it. That is all you can do. I want to play the games now and get the match fitness up."

And 20-year-old Parker, who has had loan stints at East Fife, Civil Service Strollers and Edinburgh City, added: "We have friendlies coming up soon and we’ll all just be looking to get minutes in the legs and impress the gaffer. Hopefully this year I can catch his eye."

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Callum Davidson and Steven MacLean - the management team that led St Johnstone to double cup glory - have reunited at Queen's Park.

Spiders boss Davidson, who steered the club to safety after taking charge last season, has now brought his former Perth assistant MacLean on to the coaching staff along with ex-Aberdeen midfielder Barry Nicholson.

Davidson and MacLean won the League Cup and Scottish Cup in 2020-21, St Johnstone's greatest season.

MacLean replaced Davidson in the hotseat in April last year but lasted just seven months before being sacked.

"Steven is obviously someone I know well and I am looking forward to working with him again," said Davidson.

"I am sure our players will also enjoy working with him."

We asked for your thoughts on Dimitar Mitov's St Johnstone exit and how the club might replace him.

Here's what you had to say:

Duncan: Did nothing at Cambridge when we plucked him from obscurity. Told his agent to get it done to join Aberdeen and then sang the praises of the brilliant Dons fans. Off you go Dimi.

Tannoyman: Mitov leaving is a big loss, but we've got a good replacement in Ross Sinclair who only missed out last year after breaking his arm. We don't want a panic buy, Craig Levein has done that already. Give Sinclair a run in the team and let's develop our own players.

Pablo: Mitov made it clear that Saints were a stepping stone for him, hence why a release clause was in his contract. He will always be thanked for keeping us up last season, but now hope he follows the long list of Dons keepers that wear clown shoes and have holes in their gloves! A new keeper is now added to the lengthy 'needs' list.

Jim: Give Sinclair and Josh Rae the chance to show their capabilities. Bring in Craig Gordon for a year to support them and play if his experience is required. Both would benefit from seeing him train and his abilities first hand.

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Josh McPake is targeting "goals and assists" after the winger signed a two-year deal with St Johnstone.

The former Rangers wide man was last contracted to League 1 side Stirling Albion, before training with the Perth club at the end of last season.

The 22-year-old has now earned a permanent deal at McDiarmid Park.

"When I came in towards the end of last season, the gaffer wanted a wee look at me. I thought I did well and I really enjoyed training and being with the lads.

"I’ve come back in good shape and I’m looking forward to the games coming up and getting myself fit and ready.

"First and foremost I want to do well for the team. The main thing is that the team does well.

"If the team does well, I will get the benefits out of it. That is the same with everyone else. I want to help the team with goals, assists and creativity."

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St Johnstone have announced the signing of defender Jack Sanders on a two-year deal.

The 25-year-old was contracted to Kilmarnock for the last three seasons, spending the majority of that time on loan. He made 14 appearances in the Scottish Championship for Ayr United during the second half of last season.

Sanders is the Perth side's second arrival of the summer, following Josh Rae through the door at McDiarmid Park.

"We’re really pleased to get Jack on board for the upcoming season," manager Craig Levein said.

"He will provide us with a physical presence at the back but he is also comfortable with the ball at his feet.

"We’ve had a lot of discussions with Jack and it is clear how determined he is to kick on with his career and prove himself at this level."

Defender Jack Sanders is heading to St Johnstone after three seasons at Kilmarnock, most of which was spent out on loan. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Dimitar Mitov only spent one season at St Johnstone, but his impact was indelible.

The 27-year-old Bulgaria goalkeeper moves on to join fellow Premiership side Aberdeen having been in instrumental in saving Saints from relegation.

CEO Stan Harris acknowledged as much in the club statement confirming Mitov's departure, saying: "Dimitar's performances throughout the 2023/24 campaign were of a consistently high level.

"Those performances were always likely to gain attention from elsewhere and, when Aberdeen showed their interest, Dimitar decided he wanted to move on."

Manager Craig Levein added: "Dimi was a top performer for us and that was reflected in the number of trophies he received at our end-of-season awards night.

"His performances played a key role in helping us secure our place in the Premiership and I’d like to wish him all the very best moving forward."

Mitov, 27, made 41 appearances for the Perth side following his arrival last summer from Cambridge United.

In his 38 league outings, Mitov was kept busy. He made 138 saves, which was the most of any Premiership goalkeeper by quite a distance - the man he succeeds at Pittodrie, Kelle Roos, was next on 122.

And Mitov's save percentage of 71.6 was bettered only by Will Dennis of Kilmarnock (75.3%) and Hearts' Zander Clark (72.7%).

He clearly leaves a big void - so how do St Johnstone fill it? Who should they bring in as Mitov's replacement?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

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Dimitar Mitov says he told his agent to "get it done" as soon as he heard of Aberdeen's interest.

The Bulgaria goalkeeper, 27, has left St Johnstone to move to Pittodrie on a three-year deal after the Dons paid an undisclosed fee to trigger his release clause.

Mitvov, who was St Johnstone's player of the year last season, told the Aberdeen website: "It’s an amazing feeling to be here.

"As soon as heard there was interest from Aberdeen I called my agent and said get it done.

"The club has a huge history, there are lots of good people here, and when we played against Aberdeen I loved the atmosphere the fans created.

"I feel I did well last season, being consistent is always difficult as a goalkeeper, but I worked hard and this is another opportunity for me to improve my game and make the step up.

"I like the ideas the manager has about how he wants to go forward here, the way he wants to play and create a happy environment, connecting with the supporters to get them behind us. Everything he said fits me as a player."

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St Johnstone have announced new deals for six youngsters as they continue to prepare for next season.

Bayley Klimionek, Joe Ellison, Scott Bright, Jackson Mylchreest, Ben McCrystal and Adam McMillan have all signed one-year extensions to keep them at McDiarmid Park.

"They have definitely earned this so I’m looking forward to seeing them for the start of the season and I hope they hit the ground running," head of our youth academy Alistair Stevenson said.

"All of them will be looking to get opportunities to train with the first team and catch the manager’s eye. It’s about how you take the opportunity.

"If the manager does like what he sees, he might be prepared to give them an extended run as part of the squad."

Meanwhile, Filip Franczak, Kyle Scott and Kodi McKinstray have not been offered new deals and will leave the club.

St Johnstone forward Nicky Clark has been reunited with former Dundee United team-mate Ian Harkes, now with New England Revolution, during a visit to the United States and watched another Tannadice favourite of yesteryear, Ryan Gauld, score twice for Vancouver Whitecaps in Greater Boston. (Sun), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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St Johnstone forward Max Kucheriavyi held his nerve to help Ukraine's Olympic team win the Maurice Revello Tournament in Toulon.

The 22-year-old, who played 34 times for Saints last season, came off the bench in the closing minutes after Ivory Coast had fought back to level from two goals down.

The final went straight to penalties and Kucheriavyi netted his spot-kick as his side triumphed 5-4 to lift the trophy.

Kucheriavyi had featured in all but one of Ukraine's earlier group matches against Indonesia, Italy, Panama and Japan.

The Maurice Revello Tournament was previously called the Toulon Tournament. Scotland reached the semi-finals in 2017 and 2018, with Billy Gilmour picking up the 'revelation of the tournament' award in 2018.

St Johnstone are tracking Ghana Under-20 captain Aaron Essel, an 18-year-old centre-back who can also play as a holding midfielder or right-back and is a regular with Ghanaian Premier League team Bechem United. (The Courier), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Assistant manager Andy Kirk says St Johnstone "need to add some fresh energy" during the transfer window. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Friday's gossip.

Steven MacLean is poised to join fellow former St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson's backroom team at Queen's Park. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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The transfer window opens on Friday and we want to know what matters to you most this summer.

If you could only buy one, sell one and loan out one player at St Johnstone, who would you pick?

Click here, external to let us know.

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Goalkeeper Jack Wills has agreed a permanent contract with Queen's Park - despite failing to make a first-team appearance while on loan at the end of last season - after being released by St Johnstone.

But head coach Callum Davidson hopes the 21-year-old, who has signed a two-year contract, will challenge Calum Ferrie, four years his senior, for a starting place.

"Jack impressed everyone during his time here," the former Saints manager told the Queen's Park website.

Jack, who previously had loans with Edinburgh University and Brechin City, helped Queen's Park win the reserve league.

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Adama Sidibeh continued his recent swift rise up the football ladder as the St Johnstone striker was handed his first start for Gambia in their 3-2 World Cup qualifying defeat away to Gabon in Franceville.

The 25-year-old striker, who joined the Scottish Premiership club in February from Warrington Rylands in England's Northern Premier, made his debut - and scored - as a late substitute in Saturday's 5-1 win at home to Seychelles.

That garnered Gambia's first points of their group-stage campaign and the latest defeat for the side managed by Northern Irishman Johnny McKinstry means they lie second bottom, with Gabon a point behind leaders Ivory Coast.

St Johnstone have not had any enquiries for striker Adama Sidibeh or goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov despite reported interest in the pair. (The Courier), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Representatives from Celtic, Hibernian and Ross County feature on the SPFL board for the 2024-25 season.

County director James MacDonald, Hibs non-executive chairman Malcolm McPherson and Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson make up the Premiership contingent.

Paul Hetherington (Airdrieonians) and Graeme Mathie (Ayr United) will represent the Championship, while Andrew Allan (Alloa Athletic) and Allan Maitland (Clyde) have been elected for League 1 and 2.

In a statement, the SPFL say clubs also "voted unanimously" to approve a recommendation that a new Ifab protocol for permanent concussion substitutes is used across all SPFL competitions.

"Each team will be allowed one concussion substitute per match in addition to the normal number of substitutes and substitution opportunities," they say.

"If that concussion substitute is used, the other team is allowed an additional substitute."