St Johnstone

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

Two days after losing to St Johnstone, their second defeat in Perth within seven days and third consecutive loss, Motherwell were to lose their manager.

Stuart Kettlewell cited as the reason for his resignation the fan abuse he was receiving despite his side sitting fifth in the table - four places better off than at the same stage last season.

Contrast that with Saints counterpart Simo Valakari.

St Johnstone owner Adam Webb admitted this week that, despite Saturday's win, the seven-point gap between themselves and second-bottom Kilmarnock means he has to make contingency plans for possible relegation.

However, he doubled down on the summer appointment of Valakari, even saying "I can't be happier with Simo".

Webb is also backing his manager in the transfer market, with two new arrivals this week and centre-half Jack Sanders, sold to MK Dons, being the latest to exit as the Finn reshapes his squad.

That should take some of the pressure off, but the American businessman also stressed that he and Valakari have not given up hope of avoiding relegation and that those two victories over Well - first in the Scottish Cup and then the league - prove "he's doing the right things to get us to the right place" despite previous results.

They will be hoping those wins mean they have turned the corner after the previous nine games without a victory as they head to Paisley on Saturday.

However, hosts St Mirren also appear to be on the up after ending a four-game losing streak by scoring three times in each of two away victories.

Indeed, the Perth side, who currently have not won in six away games, losing five of them, have not won in Paisley in 10 visits since December 2018.

Overcoming their rivals Saints would be further proof of their potential resurrection under Valakari.

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

Benjamin Kimpioka's £200,00 transfer to Leuven has collapsed after talks between the St Johnstone striker and the Belgian club's manager, Chris Colemen, broke down after a deal between the two clubs was agreed earlier this week. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Elliot Watt "wants to put smiles on fans' faces" after joining St Johnstone on loan from Burton Albion until the end of the season.

The former Scotland Under-21 international joined the League One side last summer from Salford City and has made 30 appearances this season.

The 24-year-old is "delighted" to move to McDiarmid Park following a "positive" chat with manager Simo Valakari.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind 24 hours," he told the club website. "I'm now just looking forward to getting into training with the boys and cracking on.

"The head coach explained where he saw me in the system and what I could bring to the club. It was a really positive conversation and, from that point, I wanted to get up here.

"Hopefully the fans can travel in their numbers this Saturday and can get right behind us. I'm looking forward to showing what I can do."

Image source, SNS

• St Mirren have won their past three league meetings with St Johnstone, as many as their previous 10 beforehand (W3 D4 L3).

• St Johnstone are winless in 10 league visits to St Mirren (D4 L6), losing their past three in a row.

• After only losing three of their opening 10 home league games this season (W5 D2), St Mirren have since lost their past two in Paisley.

• St Johnstone have lost five of their past six away league outings (D1), including their last three in a row. The Saints last suffered four successive away league defeats in January 2022.

• St Mirren's Toyosi Olusanya has scored seven goals in the Scottish Premiership this season, surpassing his tally for the whole of last term (6). However, only against Celtic (6 games) has Olusanya played more games in the competition without scoring than his five against St Johnstone.

Belgian club Leuven are leading the race to sign St Johnstone striker Benjamin Kimpioka after having an offer of nearly £200,000 accepted for the 24-year-old. (The Courier), external

St Johnstone have agreed a fee in the region of £150,000 with MK Dons for 25-year-old centre-half Jack Sanders to join the League Two club. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

"If you're going to cross the line, just don't come."

That's the message from St Johnstone owner Adam Webb.

In the wake of Stuart Kettlewell's exit at Motherwell - following back-to-back defeats in Perth - Webb was asked how football should handle abuse from fans.

"There's a fine line between passionate fandom and undue abuse," Webb said. "And I understand the passion of being a fan. I've been a fan of clubs and teams all my life.

"Obviously, when you're angry, you want to take it out on somebody. In the age of social media, it's more easy than ever to go a little bit over the top. You're sitting in your living room on your couch and you can type anything you want.

"That can be very offensive and over the top. I think it's a question of personal responsibility for all of us."

What is the club's responsibility, though, Webb said "transparency is key".

"It's to always be transparent, always be communicating," he added. "I believe that if they know if the fans know you're doing everything you can, then they're less likely to get so over the top in their anger.

"And that's my vow to our fans.

"We've done everything we can do and we will be doing everything we can do. I'm open to their suggestions. I get emails every day from fans. I got several this morning that I was reviewing before coming over here, and we always take their ideas. We always consider their ideas and we always weigh everything accordingly. That's all we can do.

"We can't stop idiots from doing dumb things. If you're going to cross the line, we say you're not allowed to come, whether it be for a season or a few games or whatever the punishment may be.

"They have to understand there are repercussions when they take it too far."

St Johnstone have accepted a third bid from Fulham for 16-year-old forward Brodie Dair and will receive an initial transfer fee of more than £150,000 should he agree personal terms and pass a medical. (Courier - subscription), external

Saints face anxious wait to get new defender signing Daniels Balodis a work permit in time to face Scottish Premiership opponents St Mirren on Saturday. (Courier- subscription), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Image source, St Johnstone

St Johnstone have signed Latvian defender Daniels Balodis on a deal until summer 2026.

The 26-year-old has made 15 appearances for his national side and has most recently played with Latvian champions RFS.

Speaking to club media, he said: "I can't wait to see and meet all of the fans at the stadium. It will be a lovely moment to all be together.

"I have seen the football atmosphere in Scotland and I'm looking forward to playing in this league.

"Firstly, I am a defender who wants to defend. After that I like to help the team build forward up the pitch."

"The head coach [Simo Valakari] can bring the best out in me. I remember him from before in Latvia, his tactics and how he likes to manage his team.

"He called me and said the words that I wanted to hear. He was excited to get me here, so I didn't think much about it and was happy to agree."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone owner Adam Webb has sat down with BBC Scotland for a wide-ranging interview.

Here are the key points:

• Webb, who revealed last September he was being treated for cancer of the head and neck, says he is now cancer free and that coming through the scare has given him "maybe not a new lease on life, but a new perspective".

• He adds: "For me personally right now, to be back in Perth is remarkable. It's fantastic. It's a dream come true."

• A "clunky" recruitment process led to the appointment of Simo Valakari: "We interviewed numerous candidates. And at the end of the day, there was a coalescing around Simo as the best choice."

• On Valakari's tenure so far: "I can't be happier with Simo. I know the results haven't been there, but anyone who's watching the football knows he's doing the right things to get us to the right place."

• Webb remains optimistic about Saints staying in the Premiership but work has begun to put plans in place should they be relegated: "We would be certainly competitive in the Championship. That's the obligation we have."

• He says Scottish football should "not be parochial" and more can be achieved thanks to its "unique characters", adding: "Let's not be regional. Let's let the Scottish league grow."

• Webb believes Scottish football can learn from the NFL on making the product the best it can be and that investment from outside Scotland will help global awareness of our game.

• "A real, true football fan in America or elsewhere is going to be fascinated by the Scottish league," he says.

• Positive progress is being made in attempts to have the alcohol ban in Scottish stadia lifted: "That's how the rugby fans can do it, and there's no difference whatsoever. Obviously with a couple of exceptions... but when St Johnstone play Ross County, I should be able to have a beer in my seat."

Sam Miller
Fan writer

Two late goals and three points. This is why we love football.

If the players can use this as a springboard, there is absolutely no reason we can't go to Paisley on Sunday and get another positive result.

Although you can only worry about your own results, it's difficult not to look at teams above us and with Ross County away to Rangers this weekend, it could be a great opportunity to shrink that gap further.

With only one survivor from the league opener against Aberdeen, Drey Wright, Simo Valakari is finally getting his stamp on the team.

It's amazing that a man who has won two league titles and two cups knows what he's doing. I've never doubted him for a second.

Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints, external

St Johnstone have turned down a second offer of more than £100,000 from Fulham for 16-year-old forward Brodie Dair, who impressed the London club on trial, and the Perth club expect a further offer. (Courier subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Watch highlights of Motherwell's 2-1 loss to St Johnstone, which proved to be Stuart Kettelwell's final game in charge of the Steelmen before he resigned over fan abuse.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Sven Sprangler: A big player for Saints who demonstrated his importance by playing out of position in a cobbled-together defence.

Watch Sportscene analysis of St Johnstone's 2-1 win against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

St Johnstone's transfer fund could be boosted by the sale of three first-team players, with Andre Raymond joining Jack Sanders and Benji Kimpioka on the list of those likely to leave. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

We asked for your views on St Johnstone's 2-1 win against Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Archie: Disjointed first half due to changes in defence and midfield. Changes made at half-time allowed a more coherent approach and real goal threat. Good substitutions ensured momentum increased and we got a deserved win for all the effort and commitment shown by the team.

Perry: The lads dug deep and never gave up, the opposition's time wasting and diving was next level. We may still go down but with two games to play against most of the bottom six, then there is still a minute chance of the great escape.

Simon: We were poor in the first half. Simo Valakari made some very important substitutions in the second half and we gained strength. We are slowly beginning to look like a team after the shambolic management prior to Valakari. A massive game against Kilmarnock in a few weeks, but a game we should approach with confidence.

Les: Brilliant three points and thoroughly deserved. Second half was so much better from us. Nicky Clark was superb when he came on and all the players deserve great credit for not giving up. Now a huge game at Paisley to come. If we can cut the gap more with Killie next then it really is game on.

Sandy: Great, absolutely needed three points and a win. Not the intensity of last week and not helped by having a midfielder acting as a centre-back and giving away a soft penalty. But the resilience was there, not only in defence, but in keeping going.

Tam: Great win and a real feeling of unity amongst the players at the end. You could see it in the celebrations. It's a mammoth task to stay up still but the squad is shaping up well for next season. Simo is working wonders with the squad he inherited from Craig Levein.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at McDiarmid Park

Image source, SNS

Bozo Mikulic was the hero for St Johnstone on Saturday. Just don't tell him that.

The towering defender produced a finish many strikers would be chuffed with to clinch a potentially pivotal win for the Perth Saints.

Two minutes after Taylor Steven grabbed his first goal for the club, the 27-year-old matched the youngster's feat to cap an incredible turnaround against Motherwell.

Though his team-mates all followed and celebrated with him, the Croat was quick to play down his role and said post-match: "we're all heroes".

"I'm not a hero, all guys are heroes, so we are here together on the pitch, 11 players plus the bench and the whole stadium supporting us for 90 minutes and I'm happy just about to win," he told BBC Scotland.

"I hope it's not the last goal, I want to be even more dangerous in the opponents box, so I will improve that, that I'm more dangerous, that I score maybe even more goals."

Despite the seismic win, Mikulic insists no-one at the club is getting too ahead of themselves.

"It was nice, it was good, but we know that still we are bottom of the table, so we need to keep working hard and we will never give up and we hope in the end that we will achieve our goals," he added.

"I think we have 15 or 14 more games, so of course we still believe that we can stay in the league."

As the race for survival continues, though, will the big defender be offering his services up top?

"If needed, yeah, why not? But of course I'm a defender, I need to defend my goal and I'm the same happy when we don't concede goals, so that's my job."

Image source, SNS

• Motherwell have failed to win in their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 20 December 2024 to 2 January 2025, a run of four games.

• St Johnstone have won after conceding the opening goal in the Premiership for the first time since 26 October 2024 against Dundee (eight games without a win).

• Motherwell have lost after scoring the opening goal in the Premiership for the first time since 25 February 2024 against Celtic (13 games without defeat).

• St Johnstone have won after trailing at half time in the Premiership for the first time since 26 October 2024 against Dundee (seven games without a win after trailing at half time).

• St Johnstone have won after trailing at half time at home in the Premiership for the first time since 23 September 2017 against Hamilton Academical (44 games without a win after trailing at half time).

• St Johnstone have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of four games from 7 December 2024 to 26 December 2024.

• Motherwell have lost after leading at half time in the Premiership for the first time since 25 February 2024 against Celtic (11 games without defeat after leading at half time).

• Motherwell have lost an away game after leading at half time in the Premiership for the first time since 27 August 2022 against Kilmarnock (10 games without defeat).

Goals on 86 and 88 minutes ensured a dramatic and potentially priceless victory for bottom-side St Johnstone as they ended a nine-game winless run in the Scottish Premiership against Motherwell.

Bozo Mikulic brilliantly smashed in the winner two minutes after youngster Taylor Steven slotted in a well-deserved equaliser for Simo Valakari's side who have narrowed the gap on eleventh-placed Kilmarnock to seven points.

After defeating the Steelmen in the Scottish Cup last week, it appeared as though their Premiership pain was going to continue after conceding a penalty inside the opening 30 seconds.

It was minute four by the time Andy Halliday tucked away the spot-kick after Kevin Clancy went to the monitor to spot home captain Sven Sprangler's handball at a bouncing ball in the box.

However, Stuart Kettlewell's side couldn't kick on as the manager watched on from the stands as he served the first of a two-match suspension due to an accumulation of bookings.

As time ticked on in a freezing Perth, it was Valakari's side who searched for much-needed and much-deserved points and goals and both came in remarkable fashion.

Saints fans, were you at McDiarmid Park or following the action from home? Either way we want to know what you made of St Johnstone's performance.

Have your say, external

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Throughout this testing spell, Simo Valakari has never questioned his side's desire and determination to get out of this hole.

Despite getting off to the worst possible start, never once did they look down and out.

Even after conceding their 23rd first-half goal in 24 league games, they entered the break with belief.

In the second, they were the only side seriously in the hunt. It would have been a tough pill to swallow if they didn't get a point.

Ellery Balcombe twice denied Saints superbly, while Nicky Clark squandered a one-vs-one and Mackenzie Kirk crashed a header off the woodwork.

The roar at both goals, and the full-time whistle, was deafening and delightful for a support who have been through the ringer of late.

They're far from out the mire, but, they have back-to-back wins to build on.

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "We needed this. We needed these three points to try and climb the table.

"The game started as bad as it could, we tried to build some momentum and in the first 10 seconds boom penalty, gone. I felt we were in a match and we just needed the one goal. In the end, I am very happy for the players, the club, and the fans. It was three points, we needed it and the work continues.

"Let's say we would have lost this match 1-0, I would stand there and say we played an ok game. We needed the goals to show for it. I never doubted the desire of the players or the club and we showed it today.

"I have been talking a lot about the small margins and we saw those small margins today. We managed to turn it around, nothing has changed we need to concentrate on the football, keep believing and playing football.

"All the players today wanted to play and make a difference."