St Johnstone

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St Johnstone say January signings are their "top priority" and have told the club's supporters they are "working relentlessly" towards that aim in a statement.

The Perth side have taken just 15 points from 22 league games this season and are eight points adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Simo Valakari made goalkeeper Andy Fisher his first January addition, with the Swansea goalkeeper joining on loan until the end of the season, but has seen both Lewis Neilson and Kyle Cameron recalled from their respective loan deals.

The Saints board now say those terminated loans will free up additional funds for Valakari and head of football operations Gus MacPherson as they attempt to build a squad that can stave off relegation.

The statement reads: "There is no sense in sugarcoating it: the recent results have been disappointing. While we, like you, are extremely frustrated by this, we want to assure you that no one at the club has given up on the season.

"Led by Simo and Gus, the football department is working relentlessly to improve the squad during this transfer window. We have earmarked funds to be spent on strengthening the team and that figure has increased further with recent loan terminations.

"Simo and Gus have held productive discussions with numerous skilled and dynamic players, who we believe will contribute to both this season and future campaigns. We are excited to strengthen our squad further.

"As soon as we are able, we will share further details of other transfers. However, it is important to note that we are not the only club pursuing these players. While the process may seem slower than we'd like, please know that it remains our top priority.

"Simo and our players have our full support. They are training hard, giving everything to turn our fortunes around."

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St Johnstone have signed Swansea City goalkeeper Andy Fisher on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 26-year-old was at MK Dons for two seasons before joining the Swans in the Championship in January 2022.

He has played 49 matches for the Welsh side but has not featured for almost a year.

"I am eager to play some games and to prove myself," he told the St Johnstone website. "I am hoping to show everyone what I can do and it is going to be a good challenge.

"The club has shown real interest in me from the start and I now want to come in and help the team as much as possible."

The Perth side sit bottom of the Scottish Premiership, having conceded 44 goals in 22 games.

On his style of play, the new arrival at McDiarmid Park added: "I like to say I am comfortable with the ball at my feet and I rate myself as a shot stopper.

"I like to keep a high line and sweep up from the back and help the team from set-pieces and crosses. Hopefully I will fit in nicely to the team here."

Sam Miller
Fan writer

The last time St Johnstone were relegated from the top flight in 2002, Sandy Clark started the season as gaffer.

Having him sitting in the stands behind me on Sunday felt like an unwanted omen.

For the first time watching the team, I was out the ground and back at the car before half three.

Realistically, I think we best start preparing for Championship football.

The problems with the squad have been evident for a while and I was expecting to wake up on 1 January with a queue of new signings ready to fire us up the table. No signings have been made.

And instead, we were treated to a 25-minute capitulation at home to Dundee.

Where does the blame lie?

There are many many potential candidates, but the mess from top to bottom needs fixed. And fixed now.

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

We asked you where you'd like to see St Johnstone strengthen in the January window.

Most of you are saying the same thing...

Daniel: It would be quicker to list what St Johnstone don't need in January than what they do need. A keeper who doesn't hand goals to opponents is the priority, but virtually every position needs improved in some way.

Paul: Some experienced campaigners at the back and in central midfield, as well as an experienced keeper of course.

Ian: We need an experienced goalie, along with at least one decent centre-back, a right-back and a couple of wide midfielders. They all need to be comfortable playing the type of football Simo Valakari demands. I just doubt we'll have the budget to attract them, especially with the prospect of relegation looming large.

Les: We desperately need an experienced goalkeeper. A winger and a right-back and another striker would be a bonus.

Adam: First name should be a keeper. Josh Rae has been terrible all season and is Championship level at best. Full-back and some natural width needed as well, someone with a creative spark, a younger Graham Carey. Huge fear if we go down it'll be a struggle to get back up.

Jimmy: At this time, we need to see which players are available and will suit our style of play. Our budget isn't the best so we are limited with that. Loan players may be the way. I don't know exactly which players are out there, but we certainly need a good partner for Makenzie Kirk, a good midfielder and one in defence, we need players who can lead.

Saints fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's defeat to Dundee.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Stuart: Another game, another poor performance in goals and defence. We're all but down now because we chose not to sack Craig Levein at the best possible time and have gone into a season with a gaggle of bodies, not a side prepared for top flight football.

Robin: Dreadful. A team that would struggle in the Lowland League being guided by someone who can't settle on a system other than keeping the ball. Simo Valakari needs backed as Levein left us a squad so short of ability, but patience is wearing thin.

James: Relegation beckons unless we have some miracle in the transfer window. Calamitous at the back and wasteful in attack. Benjamin Kimpioka has lost interest and takes too long on the ball. We are in dire need of full-backs who can defend and a goalkeeper who can command his box. Far too many passengers in this side - Sven Sprangler is the only one who looks interested. Dismal

Anon: Just when you think it can't get any worse. I'm finding it hard spending money to watch this. 70% possession, 23-odd attempts at goal and three down by the half hour. We need a big change to happen soon once again. Hopefully good signings to come.

Ally: I think Simo Valakari is out of his depth. He doesn't seam to be able to adapt his tactics to combat our opponents. Having said that, the squad he inherited is a shambles. We have known that we were short of a decent goalkeeper since the start of the season and still nothing.

Ewan: A first half that starkly exposed the severity of the uphill battle ahead to retain our status as a Premiership side. Possession isn't an issue, getting into attacking areas isn't an issue - but the cutting edge to be both clinical and effective isn't there. Our goalkeeping and defensive frailties are clearly a target tactic for our opposition.

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• Simon Murray has scored eight goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Dundee player.

• Murray has scored in his last three games in the Premiership (four goals in total).

• Murray scored after just two minutes and three seconds, the fastest goal for Dundee in the Premiership this season.

• Adama Sidibeh attempted eight shots in this game, the highest total for a St Johnstone player in the Premiership this season.

• Jack Sanders attempted 102 passes in this game, the highest total for a St Johnstone player in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee have scored in each of their last three games in the Premiership, scoring six goals in that run.

• St Johnstone have attempted 26 shots in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• St Johnstone have failed to win in their last eight games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 5 August 2023 to 28 October 2023, a run of nine games.

Dundee's stunning opening secures them victory over St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership (UK only).

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon was on the verge of leaving Hearts for St Johnstone last season as he found himself in a back-up role behind Zander Clark, according to Ryan McGowan, who played for both clubs. (The Herald - subscription), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

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St Johnstone head coach Simo Valakari: "Nightmare start to be 3-0 down. It was just too much to give away those three pretty soft goals. It cost us the whole match.

"Our level goes up and down too much. We can't put it all together for 90 minutes. That's why [we are bottom].

"We only have the players we have now. We don't know what the future holds. We just need to be better in key moments.

"We have known if we don't perform or get results, relegation is a big possibility. Yes, it looks very, very bad, but if we don't believe in ourselves, no-one will believe in us."

Were you at McDiarmid Park or following the match elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at McDiarmid Park

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After 22 minutes, it seemed as though it could be anything for Dundee. The St Johnstone defence were shellshocked and shredded before half past three.

They've now conceded 19 first-half goals in 22 league games this season. It won't shock anyone, but that's a league high.

With Kyle Cameron and Lewis Neilson returning to their parent clubs, Simo Valakari is in dire need of defensive recruits. In truth, they're need of bodies all over the shop.

Their attack has attracted plaudits, and while the desire to charge forward is commendable, it's coming at a cost. No one sits back and protects the defence.

The gung-ho approach also loses praise when shots are finishing up in the stands.

It was much better in the second half, but it couldn't have been much worse.

It's only the beginning of January, but the relegation word is very much in the conversation already.

Dutch free agent attacker Jean-Paul Boetius is being looked at as a possible signing by St Johnstone. (Not the Old Firm), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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St Johnstone will be without midfielder Jason Holt through suspension, but striker Makenzie Kirk hopes to return following a minor niggle.

Barry Douglas, Uche Ikpeazu, Sam McClelland and Cammy MacPherson are set to remain sidelined, while centre-half Kyle Cameron has had his loan deal from Notts County cut short.

Dundee are missing defenders Billy Koumetio, Ziyad Larkeche, Jordan McGhee Antonio Portales and Joe Shaughnessy, while midfielder Scott Fraser is also still out.

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Nicky Clark hopes the new year will deliver an upturn in St Johnstone's form after a difficult 2024.

The Perth side are winless in their last seven games and sit bottom of the Scottish Premiership with 15 points from 21 games.

They delivered a 1-1 draw against Hibs last time out despite playing the majority of the game with 10 players, and Clark thinks there are positives to take from that performance and result as they prepare to play Dundee on Sunday.

"Obviously, at home, we want to get as many points as possible," Clark told Saints TV.

"We were looking to get three points on Thursday, unfortunately we never got the three, but with the circumstances of going down to 10 men, them scoring and it being backs against the wall for the last 15 minutes, whatever it was, a point was big for us.

"The results recently haven't been good enough. It's been tough, but it's a fresh start to a new year. We got a point on Thursday and we'll take the benefits from that into Sunday. It's a massive game, another one at home and one we need to go and win."

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• Both sides have scored in each of their last five league meetings between St Johnstone (seven goals) and Dundee (eight). Before this, only one of the two sides' previous seven such clashes had seen both teams find the net.

• After their 2-1 win in March 2024, Dundee could earn back-to-back top-flight away victories over St Johnstone for the first time since April 2002 (three in a row).

• St Johnstone are without a win in seven league games (D2 L5) since beating Kilmarnock 1-0 in November.

• After beating St Mirren 2-1 last month, Dundee could enjoy back-to-back away wins in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since December 2017/January 2018 – one of which was at St. Johnstone (2-0).

• Only Hibernian (16) have dropped more points from winning positions in the Scottish Premiership this season than both St Johnstone (15) and Dundee (13).

St Johnstone are keen to sign Scotland international Calvin Ramsay on loan after the right-back was recalled from his loan spell at Wigan Athletic by parent club Liverpool. (The Courier), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Kyle Cameron has left St Johnstone after his season-long loan from Notts County was cut short.

Centre-back Cameron made 18 appearances for the Perth side and is the second defender to leave McDiarmid Park this month, with Lewis Neilson recalled by Hearts.

Cameron has now joined Notts County's fellow English League Two club Barrow for the remainder of the season.

Saints are currently five points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership but head coach Simo Valakari is confident his side will enjoy "a good transfer window" as they bid to boost their survival hopes.

The Finn, who is yet to make a January signing, said: "Now we are in this moment when the transfer window is open, I know it might feel to people outside a very slow process - 'where are the signings?' - because everybody knows we need signings.

"But we have had all the time a very clear plan of how we want to work at the club. We need to do the right steps to make us stronger, and that's what we have been starting to do now for a long time. It will be a good transfer window, I believe."

Jason Holt has a habit of red cards against Hibs. Sportscene pundit Steven Naismith analyses the incident and how the dismissal helped Simo Valakari's side become "more solid".

We asked for your views on St Johnstone's 1-1 draw against Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Paul: Saints were excellent, they are playing some decent football and then were able to dig in and limit Hibs to very few chances. There are reasons to be optimistic, though clearly need a win soon.

Les: That was more like a St Johnstone team, fighting for each other and playing some good stuff. The only downside was obviously the red card for Jason Holt, a really poor challenge. However, questions surely to be asked as to why Rocky Bushiri didn't receive a second yellow at the penalty in the Dundee game. On to Sunday, it's a must win.