St Johnstone

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.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Nicky Clark is confident St Johnstone can lift themselves out of the relegation zone after they held on for a point against Hibs.

Despite being reduced to 10 men in the first half, Clark's penalty put the hosts in front before the break and they led until Dwight Gayle's strike 11 minutes from time.

Saints are still bottom of the Premiership table, now five points adrift of Hearts above them, but Clark isn't panicking.

"Overall it was probably a good point for us," the striker told BBC Scotland.

"We scored at a good time, that gave us a wee lift and something to hold on to. I thought in the second half we dug in really well and it just showed the determination and grit in the side.

"We stuck together, it was backs against the wall towards the end. Once Hibs got the goal it would have been easy to collapse but I thought defensively we were excellent and held on really well.

"It's not nice being down at the bottom of the league but there's still a lot of games coming.

"We were probably in a worse situation last year, showed what we had and got out of it. There's good experience in the side, we know how to get out of that situation."

Watch the best of the action from McDiarmid Park as 10-man St Johnstone draw 1-1 with Hibernian.

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• St Johnstone have lost 15 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Hibernian (16) have lost more.

• Hibernian have won 9 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Kilmarnock (12) have recovered more.

• Nicky Clark has scored six goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no St Johnstone player has more.

• Dwight Gayle has scored four goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Hibernian player has more.

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

• Hibernian are undefeated in their last five games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 17 February 2024 to 16 March 2024, a run of six games.

• St Johnstone have conceded 10 goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

Kyle Cameron is set to have his St Johnstone loan cut short, with Notts County expected to send the centre-back to Barrow for the second half of the season after Saints manager Simo Valakari decided the 27-year-old would not be part of his plans in 2025 and that he could better use the funds freed up by his wages. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Hibernian rescued a draw at 10-man St Johnstone to extend their unbeaten run to five games and leave the Perth club five points adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men in 41 minutes when Jason Holt's sliding challenge on Chris Cadden was upgraded from a yellow card to red after referee Lloyd Wilson was sent to the monitor to review his decision.

Hibs had the better of the chances in the first half and forced Saints to clear off the line twice.

But Simo Valakari's side stunned the visitors in first-half stoppage time when captain Nicky Clark sent Jordan Smith the wrong way from the spot after Rocky Bushiri fouled Jack Sanders in the penalty box.

Martin Boyle thought he had got the visitors level when he fired beyond Josh Rae, but the goal was disallowed because Junior Hoilett, who was in an offside position, got a touch on the ball before it fell to Boyle.

With time running out, Dwight Gayle hauled Hibs level when he sidefooted Nectarios Triantis' header beyond Rae.

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

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St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "The situation we are in, we need to win football matches.

"The performance, attitude, desire, I can't ask more from the players. Today we couldn't hold it but this gives us confidence.

"I'm disappointed it was only one point because we need three points. The players are disappointed with the point because they felt we were holding on well to the lead.

"We will take the positives, learn and be ready for Sunday.

"It might feel slow and frustrating for people outside the club but we need to do the right moves inside the club to build up the squad.

"We have clear targets, we know what players we need in the future. We have been working hard and I know soon we'll see the results."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Simo Valakari's side are now six games without a win but put in a solid shift, particularly in the first half, and looked like a side with renewed confidence.

Despite Jason Holt's sending off, the hosts found themselves in front at the break and it was probably deserved for their performance in attack and defence.

They clung on to that lead until the closing stages and showed plenty of fighting spirit.

Although Hibs created the better chances in the second half and substitute Dwight Gayle eventually found the leveller, St Johnstone at least ended their four-game losing run.