St Johnstone

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Simo Valakari has been speaking to the media before St Johnstone face Motherwell in the Premiership this weekend.

Here are the key lines from the Perth boss:

• Saints are close to signing Swedish midfielder Jonathan Svedberg, who could join before the weekend, and Latvian defender Daniels Balodis.

• Valakari confirms the club have received bids for a "few" players.

• He admits recent league results - nine games without a win - are "catastrophic" and "it hits you hard".

• With Saints nine points adrift at the bottom there is "no hiding" and Valakari says: "Either we give up, this is too difficult, this is too heavy, too much pressure, or we take it as a challenge".

• Last week's Scottish Cup win over Motherwell provided belief that things can turn and "everyone is up" for the fight.

• On playing the Steelmen in successive games, Valakari says: "They will come with this attitude that it was just an accident what happened last weekend. So we need to be ready for that."

St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari is confident Sam Curtis will turn out to be the perfect example of how a loan deal from an English club should work. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

St Johnstone's bid to sign Roman Eremenko, who has 73 Finland caps, has collapsed after the Scottish FA refused to endorse a work permit application, with the 37-year-old midfielder's age possibly having gone against him. (Herald - subscription), external

Leeds United's 21-year-old Kris Moore, who can play at centre-half or right-back, has arrived at St Johnstone for a trial. (Courier - subscription), external

Midfielders Matt Smith and Cammy MacPherson have intimated they want to leave St Johnstone before the transfer window closes now that opportunities to play are likely to diminish. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Sam Miller
Fan writer

Is the win over Motherwell going to be the turning point of our season?

The Scottish Cup, which has twice called Perth home in the last 11 years, seems to have kickstarted the players as we advanced to a fifth-round tie at home to Hamilton.

New additions Andy Fisher, Sam Curtis and Victor Griffith, who already look like an upgrade on what we have, have hit the ground running.

Unbelievably, Makenzie Kirk's winning strike was our first goal in the Scottish Cup since Shaun Rooney decided to produce the goods at Hampden (again) in the 2021 final.

However, in the league the teams above us need roughly 15 points from 15 games to survive.

Premiership survival could be a stretch too far for us but the weekend result, performance, player attitude and confidence may not make relegation the forgone conclusion many think it is.

Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints Podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after St Johnstone beat Motherwell 1-0 in the Scottish Cup fourth round.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Dunc: One swallow doth not a summer make, but it is a start. This has to be maintained against the same opposition next week. We still need a couple more in before the window closes, and I would not be sad to see the back of Benjamin Kimpioka, Adama Sidibeh and Nicky Clark. We need another striker to compliment Makenzie Kirk.

Duncan: It's fair to say that the team will have been unburdened by league issues, but there was also a freshness about the team brought, a better balance and some reward for the work they've put into the last few games. It'll be interesting to see how they go against the same opposition next week, hopefully with one or two more additions.

Jimmy: A good win, can't pick out any negatives, the defence is still an issue but much better, a clean sheet. We're looking like more of an attacking threat, just needed that comfort of another goal, things are improving, one game at a time.

Paul: Fantastic first half where we should have been two or three up. Looked far more solid at the back and a commanding performance from Andy Fisher! It's not over, if we can play like that in the league we will win games.

Makenzie Kirk's early strike helped St Johnstone banish their Premiership blues as they earned a first home win over Motherwell in three years to claim a place in the Scottish Cup last 16.

A whirlwind start brought Kirk's goal inside the first 10 minutes, scrambled in from a Graham Carey corner.

The legs of Motherwell keeper Archie Mair then prevented debutant Victor Griffith from doubling the advantage shortly afterwards when he was sent clear on goal.

Had Simo Valakari's side been tidier with their finishing, their win could have been a whole lot more comfortable.

They were unrecognisable from the side who had lost seven of their previous nine and are adrift at the bottom of the league.

St Johnstone fans, were you at McDiarmid Park or following the action from home? Either way we want your views on the performance.

Have your say, external

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St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "It's a big win for the players, for the club and for the fans as well.

"The most important thing today was to win the match and get to the next round but the first half performance was very good and in the second half we showed the character to defend.

"It has not been easy, there's no hiding but you cannot control the results. You can control the performances and I thought the players put in a good performance today.

"When we have lost matches we have been down but we've known what we needed to do. We can't stop doing the things we're good at. This gives us something to be happy about. We can't think we've turned a corner, that's the worst thing was can think.

"When we can play this way, we defend better as well. From that point on our game looks more complete. It's still very fragile. Overall I was very pleased."

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In a game that lacked much excitement, Makenzie Kirk's goal put a shine on what has been a rather underwhelming season for St Johnstone so far. Could this be a turning point for Simo Valakari's side?

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St Johnstone have signed Sheffield United defender Sam Curtis on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season.

The full-back was on the books of Shamrock Rovers before moving to St Patrick's Athletic in August 2021 where he became their youngest ever player at 15 years and 255 days old.

From there he went to Sheffield United and made his debut in a Premier League game against Everton.

The Republic of Ireland youth international will be available for St Johnstone's Scottish Cup clash against Motherwell on Saturday.

"I am delighted to be here and I am so excited to get to work," Curtis told club media., external

"After speaking with the manager, seeing the great stadium and meeting with the lads, I am just excited to get out there on the pitch now.

"It is an exciting challenge for me and the team. We want to get ourselves back into a good position in the league. I am hoping to come in and play a big part in that."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Teenage midfielder Fran Franczak has thanked St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari for showing faith in him.

Franczak, 17, became Saints' youngest ever player - aged 16 yrs and 38 days old - when he made his debut against Hibs last season.

This term, Franczak is beginning to establish himself under Valakari - starting three of the last four games - and hopes to feature in Saturday's Scottish Cup tie at home to Motherwell.

He said: "It is obviously really good the manager has put his trust in me, we have a very good relationship.

"There is a lot of positivity, everyone has a good mentality in the team, and we are ready for the game on Saturday to win."

Franczak was born in Poland but moved to Scotland over a decade ago, growing up as a St Johnstone fan.

And having been at Hampden to watch the club's Scottish Cup triumph in 2014, he admits playing for his boyhood heroes in the competition is special.

"It means a lot, I went to the 2014 final with one of my friends, but I watched the one in 2021 on the TV," he said.

"I was seven [in 2014], I remember the parade in the town afterwards, my mum still shows me pictures of that sometimes."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari wants his side "to be a little bit crazy" as they look to turn their wretched season around.

The Perth side are nine points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership and winless in nine games as they begin their Scottish Cup campaign with a fourth-round home tie against Motherwell on Saturday.

"I am not stupid, I am not overly positive, it is a very difficult situation we all know," Valakari said of his side's league plight.

"We need to be brave, we need to be a little bit crazy and go all in and let's see where it takes us. No one inside the club is hiding, no one even one millimetre has given up.

"We put ourselves in this situation, we need to now get ourselves out of this situation."

Valakari was asked if a cup win this weekend could be a catalyst for an upturn of fortunes in the league.

He said: "I wish I could say we win one match and everything will be rosey. No, it is not like that.

"There is no magic in football that things can happen but I said after the league match last weekend, it has been difficult for many reasons but I feel the team is coming back now and that is a good thing.

"We are talking that it is a welcome break from the pressure of the league but if we keep doing these things that we have been doing lately, it doesn't matter that it is the cup or league or friendly match, we are not going to be successful."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has been speaking to the media before the Scottish Cup tie against Motherwell on Saturday.

Here are the key lines:

• Valakari didn't want to be drawn on transfer chat "out of respect for this cup competition" but did confirm the club have "agreed terms" with Swedish midfielder Jonathan Svedberg.

• Trialist Roman Eremenko has gone back home but Valakari wouldn't confirm if the former £13m midfielder will be coming back.

• The Perth boss says the cup tie is a break from the pressure of the Premiership survival battle and his side have "nothing to lose".

• On whether a cup win could be a catalyst for better fortunes in the league, he says "there is no magic in football that things can happen", but feels the team "is coming back now".

• On their league plight (nine points adrift at the bottom) Valakari says it is a "very difficult situation" but that "no one has even one millimetre given up" and "everyone is hurting, everyone is suffering".

• The Finn pointed out if they keep making the same mistakes then survival is "impossible".

• On the challenge Motherwell will pose, he says they are a team that always give 100% and "we need to match that".

• Team news: No fresh injuries and the club are waiting for the necessary clearance to field new signing Victor Griffith.

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Connor Smith will not be returning to St Johnstone after Hamilton paid an undisclosed fee to sign the loan midfielder on a permanent deal.

The 22-year-old departs the Perth club having made 13 Saints appearances and scored once since his move from Hearts a year ago.

Smith moved on loan to Hamilton in September and his played 15 games for the Championship side.

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Might the break from their grim league predicament bring the morale boost of a much-needed win for St Johnstone?

The rock-bottom Perth side are seeking a first victory in 10 games when they host Motherwell in an all-Premiership fourth-round Scottish Cup tie on Saturday.

Former Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay, who is a Saints fan, told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast: "It's an opportunity to leave the stress of the league to one side. It's a free hit, isn't it?

"And Motherwell are struggling a little bit in terms of their injury count. We know they've got some key players out.

"If we're looking for positives, the second half versus Rangers, St Johnstone were much improved. I think Simo Valakari will take something from that.

"I know he wants to play attacking football and we'd love that but we're also realists in terms of the quality of squad we've got.

"We like the cups and we've had success recently. It's an opportunity to take a little bit of stress off the players, allow them to go and enjoy themselves against a good Motherwell team, but a struggling one in terms of those injuries.

"Hopefully we can take something out of it."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Monday's Dundee derby grabbed the headlines when the Scottish Cup fourth-round draw was made, but there are two other all-Premiership ties before the city rivals do battle for the final spot in the last 16, including Saturday's game in Perth.

Either St Johnstone, aiming to reach the last 16 for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2021, or Motherwell will end their dismal recent run on Saturday.

Saints have fallen nine points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership with no wins in nine outings, seven of them losses, under new manager Simo Valakari and seem destined for relegation.

Visitors Motherwell, suffering a spate of injuries, have themselves just one victory in seven, but Stuart Kettlewell's side have won 2-1 home and away against the Perth side already this season and have not lost in five visits to McDiarmid Park.

Read Scottish Cup preview in full.

St Johnstone are closing in on the signing of 25-year-old Halmstads midfielder Jonathan Svedberg. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Roman Eremenko, who Rubin Kazan paid £13m for in 2011, has flown to Scotland and could sign for St Johnstone this week. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Sam Miller
Fan writer

One of the problems we have suffered this year is not having a number one.

After the club finally brought in an experienced shotstopper, he must be wondering what he's signed up for.

Defensive mishaps once again made us our own worst enemy as we continue to sink without a trace.

The previously mentioned 'playing players out of position' problem still hasn't gone away and is still causing havoc, too.

We started the Rangers game with a centre midfielder at right back, a right-sided player at left-back, a centre forward as a number 10 in midfield.

In the second half, after a couple of changes saw us have a right-sided player at right-back and a left-back at left-back, we shipped no more goals and scored ourselves.

The very likeable gaffer keeps getting his line-ups hopelessly wrong from the outset.

He's leaving himself wide open to criticism, but as long as there are points available, I'll hold onto some hope.

However, Simo Valakari needs to double up as Steve McQueen to pull off this particular great escape.

Sam Miller can be found at The Dogger Saints Podcast, external

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Barry Douglas has warned his St Johnstone team-mates that "livelihoods are at stake" as the club attempt to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership.

The Perthshire Saints are nine points adrift at the foot of the table and without a win in nine games, too.

In their latest defeat, a 3-1 loss to Rangers at Ibrox, Simo Valakari's side were all over the shop in the first half before a more collective and cohesive display in the second.

Former Scotland international Douglas appeared off the bench after the break, marking his return from a severe calf tear that was kept him out since November.

Now back, the 35-year-old is aiming to use his vast experience to educate and inspire his side that their fate is not yet sealed.

"The challenge is there for us, and there's no more motivation we need than to just look at the table," the defender said.

"It's boys' livelihoods, and that's the reality of it. A lot of boys need to realise that. It's not just about what we do on a pitch, it affects everyone else surrounding the club.

"There's still loads to play for. In this league, two, three consecutive games changes the outlook of where you are in the table.

"So I'll be amplifying that in the dressing room, that it is one game at a time now, starting with the cup."

Bottom club St Johnstone's players need to realise their livelihoods are at stake amid the threat of relegation, says left-back Barry Douglas, 35. (Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip