St Johnstone

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St Johnstone manager Craig Levein admits his side were "terrible" after crashing to a shock 3-2 defeat against side Alloa Athletic in the League Cup.

A back-and-forth second half saw Aaron Essel dismissed and a stoppage time Jack Sanders goal narrow the gam after Alloa had taken a 3-1 lead.

The Perth side now know they must beat East Fife and hope Morton can stop Alloa to guarantee themselves a place in the last-16 draw on Sunday.

“I thought we were terrible, I really do,” Levein said to the club’s X account, external afterwards.

“We not only got outfought but at times we were outplayed as well. I know we were down to ten men for a large part of the game but the way we were playing I’m not sure that would have made a difference.”

“We’ve had chances to score and didn’t take them, I just honestly think it was a terrible, terrible performance.”

After previously beating Brechin and Morton in the group stage, St Johnstone had been on course to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition - but now know reaching the draw is out of their hands.

“That’s the biggest disappointment,” admitted Levein.

“We were in a really good position and rather than trying to get the game by the scruff of the neck and dominate the match we didn’t do that, and it was a poor performance.

“We absolutely need to get a reaction, we spoke about that after the match. We need to turn up on Saturday and play like our lives depend on it because we didn’t do it tonight.”

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The draw for the last 16 of the Scottish League Cup will take place on Sunday.

It will be broadcast live on Premier Sports following their coverage of Motherwell v Partick Thistle at Fir Park, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.

The top-flight's five European representatives - holders Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren - will enter the draw and will also be seeded, along with the three best group winners.

All last-16 ties are scheduled to played on the weekend of 17/18 August.

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St Johnstone have announced they will rename their main stand in honour of former owner Geoff Brown.

Brown recently sold the Perth club to American Adam Webb, ending his 38-year reign.

Saints say their opening Premiership match of the season at home to Aberdeen on 5 August "will celebrate" Brown, who will also be named as life president of St Johnstone.

Following the Brown's sale, the club say "it quickly became a priority to honour his legacy".

In a statement, new owner Webb added: "Geoff's contribution to St Johnstone over 38 years has been nothing short of heroic.

"I hope that all supporters will make extra efforts to attend and bring family and friends along on 5 August for what should be a magical night at McDiarmid Park."

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein is pondering whether to go back into the transfer market for another goalkeeper as his current options lack experience. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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St Johnstone are the latest team to get the documentary treatment as the Perth club have announced a project with multi-Emmy award-winning film-maker - and Scottish football fan - Jamie Doran.

They say the documentary, which will also benefit from the work of Clover Films, will "encompass every facet of our loyal and unparalleled football family".

Filming will officially begin when Saints start their new Premiership campaign at home to Aberdeen on Monday, 5 August.

"Forget Sunderland, Wrexham or any other film series, because this one will be different," Doran said.

"I remember too well the freezing, miserable Wednesday nights in Dingwall, Arbroath, Inverness and elsewhere, looking around the grounds in awe of the numbers who had chosen to turn up and support their teams.

"What is it that drives them? That’s what I want to find out."

The Perth club's new owner Adam Webb added: "5 August will be a thrilling and historic night... beginning our journey with Jamie Doran and Clover Films to tell the story of Scottish football by exploring the people and traditions of St Johnstone."

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Former St Johnstone midfielder David Wotherspoon says the decision to hand on-loan Kyle Cameron the captaincy is a "strange one" - but he feels it highlights the belief manager Craig Levein has in the defender.

Having signed from Notts County, where he was also skipper, on a season-long deal this summer, Cameron was then confirmed as Saints captain for the 2024-25 campaign.

The former Scotland Under-21 international takes over from centre-back Liam Gordon, who left following the expiry of his contract to join Motherwell.

Club legend Wotherspoon feels his ex-club "will definitely miss" the influence of former team-mate Gordon, meaning Cameron has big boots to fill.

"I think it's a strange one having a loan player who's only going to be there for a certain amount of time as your captain," Wotherspoon told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"But at the end of the day, [Levein] thinks that's the right thing to do and they've got to believe and put faith in that, so they've got to really help him out as well as the captain.

"No matter who it is, they've got to stick together as a team and really push on this season."

As well as the departure of Gordon, St Johnstone have watched goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov head for the exit door this summer.

The Bulgarian left to join Aberdeen earlier in the window, a move Wotherspoon says he "deserves" after an impressive campaign last term.

Veteran defensive duo Andy Considine and Ryan McGowan have also departed, which has Wotherspoon fearing a lack of experience could potentially be a problem.

"I watched games last season and Mitov was making save after save and keeping them in the games at times," he adds.

"And with Considine gone and even Ryan McGowan as well, that's three who were playing regularly last season with a lot of experience.

"They've brought in quite a few younger boys. In the middle of the park, they've got a lot of players but not much experience.

"Cammy McPherson, who seems to be the main midfielder, is still pretty young and has had his fair share of injuries. Hopefully he can stay injury free this season and get a good run at it."

Having now put together his own St Johnstone squad, Saints fan Jamie Beatson feels this season "is all on" manager Craig Levein to get right.

Click here to listen to more on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

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Ray Bradshaw previews the season ahead for St Johnstone with club legend David Wotherspoon and fan Jamie Beatson.

Click here to listen on BBC Sounds.

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein is pleased with the competition for places he has up front. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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St Johnstone have signed striker Makenzie Kirk from Heart of Midlothian for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old, who is the son of Saints' assistant manager Andy Kirk, scored 43 goals in 48 games for Hearts B in the Lowland League.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Hamilton Academical, making eight appearances without finding the net.

"I love to score goals, get in behind and work hard off the ball," Kirk told the Perth club's website. "That is what you get from me.

"You have to be there to score goals and that is one thing I have always been good at. I like to get on the end of things and put it in the back of the net."

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St Johnstone have signed Arran Cocks, but the "impressive" winger will immediately head out on loan to Forfar Athletic.

The 18-year-old has been on trial in Perth and impressed against Huntly, Nairn and Arbroath.

On signing his contract, he told the club's website he has "been working my whole life for this".

Born in South Africa, he moved to Australia before heading to England at 15 on his own to pursue his football dream.

"I have worked hard every day and it shows that hard work always pays off in the end," he added.

"I’ve been on trial at a couple of clubs but I found St Johnstone and I think this is a good place to be. I have really enjoyed my time here so far.

"My loan spell will be good for me. It is good for me to get some games in and gain experience and confidence.

"Hopefully I can score some goals and create some too, and come back to St Johnstone a better player."

That's the wish of manager Craig Levein, too.

"I hope his loan spell at Forfar will help him to get to grips with the Scottish game and I am sure he will come back to McDiarmid Park a better player," he said.

"At just 18 he is still young and learning the game, but his pace and directness in the final third is impressive."

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein has admitted that squad-cutting will now have to come before squad-building as he has spent the increase in budget supplied by new owner Adam Webb. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Kyle Cameron hopes to bring the "winning mentality" he developed in his successful spell as Notts County captain to his new role at St Johnstone.

Despite only joining on loan this summer, the centre-half has already been named as Craig Levein's captain for this campaign. While it caught him a little off-guard, he's more than ready for the responsibility.

"It was a little bit of a surprise, coming in and that happening but I enjoy the responsibility and I hope I can put across everything I've learned in the last three years as being captain of Notts County, and help the club go to the next level," he told SaintsTV.

"That winning mentality is installed in me, so hopefully I can bring that here and hopefully we can win a good few games of football this season."

He picked up his first win as a St Johnstone player at the weekend, where he grabbed his first goal too against Brechin City.

"I think it went as well as it possibly could, it's always good to get off to a flying start. The win was important, it's a step in the right direction and the goal just topped it off."

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St Johnstone are set to sign England schoolboy international Aaran Cocks after impressing as a trialist in pre-season - although the 18-year-old will immediately be sent out on loan to Forfar. (The Courier, external)

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

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St Johnstone have signed Andre Raymond after a recommendation from the defender's Trinidad and Tobago team-mate Dan Phillips.

Raymond, 23, has been training with Saints recently and now joins on a two-year deal after four years in Portugal's lower leagues, most recently with Vilar de Perdizes.

He has nine caps and plays for the national team alongside midfielder Phillips, who ended a two-year St Johnstone spell this summer.

"We are delighted to bring Andre into the club to bolster our defensive options," said manager Craig Levein.

“Andre was a recommendation of our former player Dan Phillips, and we are excited to work with him going forward. Andre’s pace and power will be useful attributes both in defence and attack."

Raymond was already well aware of the club thanks to Phillips.

"He contacted me and mentioned that the coach was really interested in me and he liked me a lot," the new recruit said.

"From then I continued to watch games, study the style of play and witness the atmosphere of the fans, which is really great. I really wanted to come and join the team.

"I want to use this move as a stepping stone to learn and continue to be a student of the game."

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Fran Franczak is excited to continue his St Johnstone "dream" after signing a new contract keeping him at the club until summer 2026.

The midfielder made his debut last September just over a month after turning 16 and racked up his 10th appearance in the season-opening League Cup win over Brechin on Saturday.

Youth academy graduate Franczak said: "I’ve been at the club for eight years now and that has been a dream come true.

"When I was young I used to come to the games and watch the team play, wishing that could be me one day.

"I’m pleased with how I am developing. I need to give a big thanks to the gaffer and the staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play.

"Now I want to keep improving, keep the head down and keep getting better every day."

Boss Craig Levein believes there is plenty more to come from the teenage talent, adding: "His attitude and application for someone so young is great to see and his personality is infectious on the squad."

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Cammy MacPherson says team-mate Aaron Essel is showing "good signs" in the infancy of his St Johnstone career.

Teenager Essel, a Ghana youth international, signed for the Perth side this summer after impressing on trial.

And fellow midfielder MacPherson feels the 18-year-old is already showing promising signs.

On Essel's debut in the League Cup group win at Brechin City, MacPherson said: "It was a welcome to Scottish football, playing at 100 miles an hour.

"You can see as the game goes on he's got that ability to get about the pitch and get the ball back for us.

"He's going to learn, he's only been here a couple of weeks so there are good signs moving forward."

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein has turned his attention to securing a new centre-back and a winger after striker Adama Sidibeh returned to training following the rejection of a low six-figure offer from Swansea City for the Gambia international. (The Courier), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

We asked for your views on what would be a successful season for St Johnstone.

Here's what some of you said:

John: A good season would be not fighting relegation and a wee cup run. A really good season would be competing for top six up until the split.

Cameron: There has been so much positivity about the new owner, and rightly so, as he has come across very well. However, on the pitch this season there has to be an element of realism. Staying up, playing more attractive football and possibly a cup run would mark a very successful season after the previous three. A fast start in the league would be nice.

David: After three years languishing near the bottom, a success story this year would be that of comfort, and not being a relegation scrap that goes to the wire. The new owner and signings have brought a new sense of optimism, however I think we still need a goalkeeper, maybe someone older who perhaps just left another SPFL team and with international experience.

James: An acceptable season would be staying up. A successful season would be a strong challenge for top six. Either way, need to improve on 29 goals scored.

Paul: For this season to be a success, avoiding a relegation battle and taking a step forward in terms of the style of play would be a success for me. The new owner is not going to bring instant success but Craig Levein needs to show an improvement in performance so that he is trusted with a larger budget in the future.

Michael: We need to grow our fanbase and survive in the Premiership.

Stuart: Mid-table and well away from relegation or the play-offs with a more on the front foot style of play would be great. Our signings so far are looking positive following a good, overdue clear out.

Dunc: To be competitive and combative. To start scoring and defend well. To aim to be well safe before the end of the season. To be a team with joined up thinking.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Given this week's confirmation of the takeover of St Johnstone by a group of American investors led by lawyer Adam Webb, the most significant signings at McDiarmid Park could yet be to come.

Most notably a replacement is needed for striker Uche Ikpeazu, who was reunited with his former Heart of Midlothian manager, Craig Levein, only to suffer a serious injury shortly after his switch from League One club Port Vale.

Kyle Cameron, meanwhile, arrives in Perth having lost the captaincy at Notts County despite leading them to promotion from the National League and with head coach Stuart Maynard having recruited a couple of centre-backs this summer already.

However, Levein thinks so highly of the Hexham-born former Scotland Under-21 international's leadership qualities that he has handed the 27-year-old the armband - even though he is only on loan - and the first test of that could come away to Brechin City on Saturday.

• Read Clive's full piece here