St Johnstone

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Chief executive Neil Doncaster says crowd figures are "hugely promising" after the SPFL broke its attendance record for the second year running.

Over 5.15m supporters took to the stands to watch their side across all SPFL competitions in 2023-24, covering the Premiership, Championship, League 1, League 2, League Cup and the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The year-on-year figure marks an increase of 64,122 on the season prior's record high, when the number of people attending SPFL matches surpassed 5m for the first time.

A total of of 4,746,052 fans attended games across the four divisions, with Premiership matches attracting 3,760,765.

Scotland continues to have the best attendances figures per capita across its top four divisions in Europe with 21.3 per 1000 people - 65% ahead of second-placed the Netherlands.

Doncaster said: “After topping five million fans across an SPFL season for the first time in season 2022/23, it is hugely promising to see attendances growing even further this season.

“Our supporters are renowned across the world for their dedication and passion and regularly record the highest per capita attendance in Europe."

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Craig Levein says he is "determined" St Johnstone aren't in the "same position" as last season after an awful League Cup campaign carried over into a relegation battle.

The Perth side lost three of their four group stages matches in the competition under Steven MacLean, including a 4-0 thumping by third tier Stirling Albion.

A false start meant St Johnstone never really got going last term, needing a win on the final day of the season to avoid the relegation play-off.

Levein's side will take on Greenock Morton, Alloa Athletic, East Fife and Brechin City in Group F following Wednesday's draw.

“You can’t afford to take anything for granted in cup competitions," Levein told club media.

"We will need to be good from the word go and we need to show respect to every team we come up against.

“We’ll get moving on our research and get a look at what we will be facing. It is important that we have a really good start.

“If we start well in cup competition, you can then follow it up with a good start in the league. I am determined not to be in the same position as we were last season.”

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Scotland international Andy Considine indicates he has played his last game for St Johnstone with his two-year contract at an end. (Courier - subscription), external

Saints are interested in former Hearts forward Uche Ikpeazu. (Herald - subscription), external

Meanwhile, St Johnstone forward Adama Sidibeh is attracting interest from Burnley, Derby County and Middlesbrough. (Football Insider), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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St Johnstone will open the new season in Group F of the Premier Sports Cup where they face Greenock Morton, Alloa Athletic, East Fife and Brechin City.

The group stage gets under way on the weekend of 13-14 July and wraps up on 27-28 July.

The eight group winners and three best runners-up join European participants Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren in the last 16 on the weekend of August 17-18.

Click here to view the draw in full.

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League One club Stevenage want 23-year-old midfielder Dan Phillips, who is out of contract with St Johnstone, and are also tracking Malachi Boateng, the 21-year-old midfielder who has been on loan to Dundee from Crystal Palace. (The Courier), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland

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It seems St Johnstone fans have watched Dan Philipps play his final game for the Perth club.

After arriving at McDiarmid Park from Watford in 2022, the central midfielder established himself as one of the key cogs in the Saints midfield.

He provided physical presence in the middle of the park, while also displaying technical ability to give St Johnstone a real driving force while others struggled around him.

In a season that Craig Levein's side had to wait until the final day to secure safety, no player in the Scottish Premiership made more tackles than Phillips.

On top of that impressive stat, only Ross County's Ryan Leak made more interceptions. The Trinidad and Tobago international also conceded the most fouls in the league, showing he's not shy of getting stuck in.

With Phillips' bite out the team, where do St Johnstone look now?

It will likely be one of the biggest question Levein looks to answer in this transfer window. Adama Sidibeh turned out to be a shrewd signing for the English non-league wilderness and may embolden the veteran manager to dip into that market again.

While not the same profile of midfielder, Sven Sprangler impressed in spells for Saints, though struggled with injury towards the end of the season.

Keeping the Austrian fit next term could soften the inevitable blow of losing a player of Phillips' quality.

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Callum Booth - part of St Johnstone's momentous double cup success in 2021 - will depart the club with "amazing memories" when his contract expires at the end of the month.

The defender, 32, made 79 appearances and scored one goal in a near five-year year spell in Perth.

Booth spent the second half of last season on loan at Spartans and his Saints career was disrupted by injuries.

However, he played every minute of the League Cup and Scottish Cup final wins over Livingston and Hibs in 2021 - and admits he still struggles to comprehend the enormity of the team's glory double.

“We had a good team, don’t get me wrong,” said Booth. “But even now you think, ‘How did we manage to do that?’

“Everything just seemed to click into place those last few months. So many players better than me have played in Scotland for years and not one a cup, never mind two.

"It was such an amazing achievement that will be remembered for years to come – and rightly so.”

Booth added: “My appearances probably don’t reflect the time I was at the club. I had a few unhappier times being injured and that part of it was not great, but it was still amazing times for me.

“I have some really amazing memories. Probably the best I’ve ever had in football – without doubt winning the two cups and the European games. I was actually watching the Galatasaray highlights with my little boy the other day.”

Adam Webb’s takeover of St Johnstone should finally get the green light early next month after the English Football League gave its consent to the buy-out as a result of him holding a 10% stake in Cambridge United. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Friday's gossip.

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St Johnstone midfielder Connor Smith has been linked with a return to Hamilton Academical. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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St Johnstone midfielder Matt Smith says avoiding relegation on the final day of the Premiership season was "one of the best days" of his career to date.

Smith started the must-win game against Motherwell and credited the spirit Craig Levein's side showed in their 2-1 win.

"One of the best days in my football career," he said, when asked to sum up the final game of the campaign. "It's been a rollercoaster of a season. It's a credit to the staff and the lads.

"Relegation is something that changes livelihoods, and that's something I looked at. I know how it can affect people.

"It was about digging in. We put in a massive shift, and it was a fantastic performance and a fantastic day for the club and the city.

"It's been tough, but we never gave up - we kept fighting."

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Chris Kane will leave St Johnstone when his contract expires, 11 years after making his first-team debut.

The 29-year-old made 244 appearances in total for the Perth club, scoring 37 goals, and has signed a two-year deal with Championship side Dunfermline Athletic.

He was part of the squad that won both the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup in 2020-21.

"I’ve known Chris for a very long time and his contribution to the club will never be forgotten," St Johnstone chief executive officer Stan Harris said.

"From his days in the youth academy to playing such a big part in our cup double-winning season in 2021, he has always worked with complete professionalism on and off the pitch.

"It is important that the club places on record its thanks to Chris and we wish him all the very best for his next steps in football."

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22 May, 20201. A date forever etched in St Johnstone history.

The Perth side completed a remarkable double as they edged out Hibs 1-0 at Hampden to win the Scottish Cup for the second time in their history.

Shaun Rooney climbed highest to head home the game's only goal after half an hour.

Glenn Middleton missed from the penalty spot for Saints, but they held on to lift the trophy.

The only thing missing was the fans, with the showpiece match played at an empty national stadium amid Covid restrictions.

The triumph saw the Perth side complete a historic cup double after they lifted the League Cup earlier that season.

English League Two champions Stockport County want St Johnstone captain Liam Gordon, with the 27-year-old considering the move after 10 years with the Perth club. (Courier), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

Sam Miller
Fan writer

Utter the word "Gretna" to any St Johnstone fan and you'll instantly be reminded of the 2007 final-day heartbreak when James Grady's last-minute goal sent Gretna up instead of Saints.

On more than one occasion on Sunday it felt that another late sucker punch was coming our way.

But against the prediction of pretty much everyone except the management and players, Saints will see a 16th consecutive season at the top table.

Craig Levein took 31 points from 28 games. At that rate, had he been in charge a full season he gets us top six - with one of our worst squads in years.

Survival looked uncertain the last few weeks but the footballing gods played their part at times.

Its not been pretty to watch either but if you surveyed any of us after four points from 10 games we would have signed up for it.

A big summer starts now. Levein needs to nail his recruitment but has earned the right to.

Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints, external

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Craig Levein is excited about the prospect of leading St Johnstone out in the Scottish Premiership against next season.

The Perth side secured survival on the final day with a win at Motherwell, sparing the veteran manager and his team from the relegation play-off.

Levein says he's enjoyed taking the reins at McDiarmid Park and adds he'll be raring to go after a reset.

“Yeah, I’ve loved it, it’s been great,” he said.

“There’s a lot of work to do and it will take a bit of time, but there’s enough encouragement for me from the players we have signed up for next season to look forward to coming back.

“I’ll have a break, a few glasses of wine and be ready to go again.”

However, Levein admits he is "miles behind" in terms of his recruitment for next season, which he will now begin knowing that Saints' top-flight status remains in tact.

“I can start doing stuff for next season now because so far I’ve not been able to do anything, which has left me a fair bit behind where we would normally be at this time,” he said.

“I’m miles behind. Normally by this stage I’d probably have half a dozen in the bag.

“We need to get our skates on. It’s going to be a difficult recruitment period I think, but at least we’re doing it for playing in the top flight, which is the most important thing.”

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

St Johnstone were superb against Motherwell as they secured their Scottish Premiership survival, and they have five players in my team of the weekend.

Dimitar Mitov has been seriously impressive all season and was again at Fir Park. Where would St Johnstone have been without their Bulgarian keeper?

In defence, Ryan McGowan's experience has been vital, while Liam Gordon delivered a heroic performance to keep Motherwell at bay when it mattered most.

The moment of the game was delivered by Graham Carey, who set up Nicky Clark's goal with one of the assists of the season. His left foot is a creative force to be reckoned with.

Finally, Adama Sidibeh was a wildcard acquisition from non-league football in England at the end of the January window, and what an inspired bit of business it has been from Craig Levein.

A 90th-minute equaliser against Ross County in midweek and then the winning goal against Motherwell. He clearly has an eye for goal, and it will be interesting to see how his career develops from here.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park

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St Johnstone’s player of the year Dimitar Mitov says securing top-flight football for another season is huge for the Perth club, especially with the arrival of new owners at McDiarmid Park.

Former chairman Geoff Brown has agreed a deal to sell Saints to American lawyer Adam Webb, and goalkeeper Mitov is clear about the significance of being able to hand over a Premiership club.

“It’s huge, especially for us. It’s been a frustrating season, everybody knows that but we’ve found a way," he told BBC Scotland.

“It’s very exciting, especially when new owners are coming into the football club. We haven’t met them yet so we’re not sure exactly what ideas they have yet but we don’t have to worry about that right now.

"We’re going to celebrate with the boys, go back to our families because it’s been a really long and frustrating season and we deserve a little break now."

In a disappointing overall campaign for the Perth side, Saints’ Bulgarian keeper was the one player whose consistency never dipped.

It was perhaps fitting that a crucial penalty save he made at Motherwell in the final match helped Levein’s men secure 10th place on goal difference, and with it, Premiership safety.

“Those are the moments people remember for a very, very long time because if that penalty goes in, it’s 1-1 and it’s a completely different game. This is why you work.

"People don’t see the hard work we do behind closed doors so I’m absolutely delighted I managed to make the save and then of course, five minutes later, I think we scored the second goal, so it was amazing.”

“I feel like I’ve been really good this season but for me it’s about being consistent in everything you do.

"The hardest thing in football is being consistent at the highest level possible. I’m trying to get there. I’m not there yet but I’m trying my absolute best to get there one day. "

We asked for your thoughts after St Johnstone survived with an impressive performance at Fir Park.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Stuart: Phew! Time for a clear out and reset to stop repeating what we’ve endured over the last couple of seasons. New owners and a fresh approach.

Anon: Why could they not play like that all season? They were just about perfect today. Well done boys.

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• Adama Sidibeh has scored a goal in each of his last three games in the Scottish Premiership, his longest scoring streak in the competition.

• Motherwell have scored 23 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Celtic (26) and Rangers (24) have scored more in the league this season.

• Graham Carey has assisted nine goals this season (one in this game), more than any other St Johnstone player in the Scottish Premiership.

• Motherwell have scored 15 goals via substitutes in the top flight this season, only Rangers (16) and Celtic (21) have scored more.

• St Johnstone have beaten Motherwell for the first time in the Scottish Premiership since 1 February 2023, a run of four games without a win.

• Georgie Gent has now assisted two goals in four appearances in the league against St Johnstone.