St Johnstone

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St Johnstone midfielder Connor Smith has been linked with a return to Hamilton Academical. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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St Johnstone midfielder Matt Smith says avoiding relegation on the final day of the Premiership season was "one of the best days" of his career to date.

Smith started the must-win game against Motherwell and credited the spirit Craig Levein's side showed in their 2-1 win.

"One of the best days in my football career," he said, when asked to sum up the final game of the campaign. "It's been a rollercoaster of a season. It's a credit to the staff and the lads.

"Relegation is something that changes livelihoods, and that's something I looked at. I know how it can affect people.

"It was about digging in. We put in a massive shift, and it was a fantastic performance and a fantastic day for the club and the city.

"It's been tough, but we never gave up - we kept fighting."

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Chris Kane will leave St Johnstone when his contract expires, 11 years after making his first-team debut.

The 29-year-old made 244 appearances in total for the Perth club, scoring 37 goals, and has signed a two-year deal with Championship side Dunfermline Athletic.

He was part of the squad that won both the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup in 2020-21.

"I’ve known Chris for a very long time and his contribution to the club will never be forgotten," St Johnstone chief executive officer Stan Harris said.

"From his days in the youth academy to playing such a big part in our cup double-winning season in 2021, he has always worked with complete professionalism on and off the pitch.

"It is important that the club places on record its thanks to Chris and we wish him all the very best for his next steps in football."

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22 May, 20201. A date forever etched in St Johnstone history.

The Perth side completed a remarkable double as they edged out Hibs 1-0 at Hampden to win the Scottish Cup for the second time in their history.

Shaun Rooney climbed highest to head home the game's only goal after half an hour.

Glenn Middleton missed from the penalty spot for Saints, but they held on to lift the trophy.

The only thing missing was the fans, with the showpiece match played at an empty national stadium amid Covid restrictions.

The triumph saw the Perth side complete a historic cup double after they lifted the League Cup earlier that season.

English League Two champions Stockport County want St Johnstone captain Liam Gordon, with the 27-year-old considering the move after 10 years with the Perth club. (Courier), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

Sam Miller
Fan writer

Utter the word "Gretna" to any St Johnstone fan and you'll instantly be reminded of the 2007 final-day heartbreak when James Grady's last-minute goal sent Gretna up instead of Saints.

On more than one occasion on Sunday it felt that another late sucker punch was coming our way.

But against the prediction of pretty much everyone except the management and players, Saints will see a 16th consecutive season at the top table.

Craig Levein took 31 points from 28 games. At that rate, had he been in charge a full season he gets us top six - with one of our worst squads in years.

Survival looked uncertain the last few weeks but the footballing gods played their part at times.

Its not been pretty to watch either but if you surveyed any of us after four points from 10 games we would have signed up for it.

A big summer starts now. Levein needs to nail his recruitment but has earned the right to.

Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints, external

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Craig Levein is excited about the prospect of leading St Johnstone out in the Scottish Premiership against next season.

The Perth side secured survival on the final day with a win at Motherwell, sparing the veteran manager and his team from the relegation play-off.

Levein says he's enjoyed taking the reins at McDiarmid Park and adds he'll be raring to go after a reset.

“Yeah, I’ve loved it, it’s been great,” he said.

“There’s a lot of work to do and it will take a bit of time, but there’s enough encouragement for me from the players we have signed up for next season to look forward to coming back.

“I’ll have a break, a few glasses of wine and be ready to go again.”

However, Levein admits he is "miles behind" in terms of his recruitment for next season, which he will now begin knowing that Saints' top-flight status remains in tact.

“I can start doing stuff for next season now because so far I’ve not been able to do anything, which has left me a fair bit behind where we would normally be at this time,” he said.

“I’m miles behind. Normally by this stage I’d probably have half a dozen in the bag.

“We need to get our skates on. It’s going to be a difficult recruitment period I think, but at least we’re doing it for playing in the top flight, which is the most important thing.”

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

St Johnstone were superb against Motherwell as they secured their Scottish Premiership survival, and they have five players in my team of the weekend.

Dimitar Mitov has been seriously impressive all season and was again at Fir Park. Where would St Johnstone have been without their Bulgarian keeper?

In defence, Ryan McGowan's experience has been vital, while Liam Gordon delivered a heroic performance to keep Motherwell at bay when it mattered most.

The moment of the game was delivered by Graham Carey, who set up Nicky Clark's goal with one of the assists of the season. His left foot is a creative force to be reckoned with.

Finally, Adama Sidibeh was a wildcard acquisition from non-league football in England at the end of the January window, and what an inspired bit of business it has been from Craig Levein.

A 90th-minute equaliser against Ross County in midweek and then the winning goal against Motherwell. He clearly has an eye for goal, and it will be interesting to see how his career develops from here.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park

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St Johnstone’s player of the year Dimitar Mitov says securing top-flight football for another season is huge for the Perth club, especially with the arrival of new owners at McDiarmid Park.

Former chairman Geoff Brown has agreed a deal to sell Saints to American lawyer Adam Webb, and goalkeeper Mitov is clear about the significance of being able to hand over a Premiership club.

“It’s huge, especially for us. It’s been a frustrating season, everybody knows that but we’ve found a way," he told BBC Scotland.

“It’s very exciting, especially when new owners are coming into the football club. We haven’t met them yet so we’re not sure exactly what ideas they have yet but we don’t have to worry about that right now.

"We’re going to celebrate with the boys, go back to our families because it’s been a really long and frustrating season and we deserve a little break now."

In a disappointing overall campaign for the Perth side, Saints’ Bulgarian keeper was the one player whose consistency never dipped.

It was perhaps fitting that a crucial penalty save he made at Motherwell in the final match helped Levein’s men secure 10th place on goal difference, and with it, Premiership safety.

“Those are the moments people remember for a very, very long time because if that penalty goes in, it’s 1-1 and it’s a completely different game. This is why you work.

"People don’t see the hard work we do behind closed doors so I’m absolutely delighted I managed to make the save and then of course, five minutes later, I think we scored the second goal, so it was amazing.”

“I feel like I’ve been really good this season but for me it’s about being consistent in everything you do.

"The hardest thing in football is being consistent at the highest level possible. I’m trying to get there. I’m not there yet but I’m trying my absolute best to get there one day. "

We asked for your thoughts after St Johnstone survived with an impressive performance at Fir Park.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Stuart: Phew! Time for a clear out and reset to stop repeating what we’ve endured over the last couple of seasons. New owners and a fresh approach.

Anon: Why could they not play like that all season? They were just about perfect today. Well done boys.

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• Adama Sidibeh has scored a goal in each of his last three games in the Scottish Premiership, his longest scoring streak in the competition.

• Motherwell have scored 23 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Celtic (26) and Rangers (24) have scored more in the league this season.

• Graham Carey has assisted nine goals this season (one in this game), more than any other St Johnstone player in the Scottish Premiership.

• Motherwell have scored 15 goals via substitutes in the top flight this season, only Rangers (16) and Celtic (21) have scored more.

• St Johnstone have beaten Motherwell for the first time in the Scottish Premiership since 1 February 2023, a run of four games without a win.

• Georgie Gent has now assisted two goals in four appearances in the league against St Johnstone.

Watch highlights as St Johnstone secure their Premiership survival with a 2-1 win away at Motherwell.

Available to UK users only.

St Johnstone leapt out of the Scottish Premiership relegation play-off place and guaranteed safety on a dramatic final day with an assured win away to Motherwell.

Craig Levein's side needed to win and rely on Ross County failing to do the same at home to Aberdeen and, though that transpired, the afternoon was not short on twists and turns.

Were you at Motherwell or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game and the season – have your say here.

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St Johnstone manager Craig Levein: "I'm delighted and extremely stressed out. At the end when the Motherwell fans celebrated after the game finished just to wind us up, I had to take an extra couple of heart tablets.

"It was a good performance by the boys today we deserved to win. We've been good the last week or so in the last three games.

"We've managed to get ourselves in the position we'll be in the Scottish Premiership next year.

"We had a lot of good performances today. There were a couple of minutes we had to defend manfully to stop Motherwell getting their first goal.

"The boys were throwing themselves in front of shots with blocks and tackles. That's the kind of team spirit that gets you a result like this.

"I've never really been in a relegation battle as a manager and I didn't want to start now. It was a bit stressful and there was a lot of cajoling, some pats on the back and stern words at times to get the players into the position where they're surviving.

"All credit to them, I thought they were fantastic today."

Thomas Duncan, BBC Sport Scotland

St Johnstone were heading straight for the play-off with Raith Rovers up until the 90th minute on Wednesday night, and come Sunday evening they were celebrating a 16th straight season in the top flight.

A side that has toiled for goals and produced a largely insipid end to the season with one win in their last nine before the final game, burst to life at Fir Park.

All their big players stepped up. From Mitov in goals saving Bair's penalty, to captain Liam Gordon producing the block of the season on the line, and Carey and Clark getting things going with a terrific first goal.

Sidibeh has proved a massive signing having come up with goals in the crucial final two games. Credit to Levein, who was brought in with Saints bottom of the table in the autumn and tasked with keeping them up.

It wasn't pretty, but he did it. Even the switch to a back five in the second half stemmed Motherwell's fight back. They'll hope for better next season amid a change of ownership and three difficult seasons battling the drop.

But for now they can enjoy their achievement, and their holidays.

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St Johnstone make just one change from their draw at home to Ross County which ensured they are still fighting on this final day.

Stevie May drops to the bench and Matt Smith comes into what looks like a 4-4-2 or variation thereof against Motherwell at Fir Park.

• Follow the action

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Motherwell striker Jon Obika is back to fitness while Barry Maguire (chest), Callum Slattery (knee) and Adam Montgomery (hamstring) remain out.

Tony Gallacher will be assessed with regards a return for St Johnstone as he works his way back from a calf problem. Sven Sprangler (knee) remains on the sidelines.

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• All three league meetings between Motherwell and St Johnstone this season have been drawn; the last fixture to be drawn four times in a Scottish top-flight campaign was Dunfermline Athletic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2011-12 (Dundee v Kilmarnock could also be drawn four times this season).

• St Johnstone have only lost one of their last eight league meetings with Motherwell (W3 D4), and are unbeaten in their last three such away visits (W2 D1).

• After their 4-1 win over Livingston, Motherwell are looking to win back-to-back home league games for just a second time this season, after doing so in their first two such matches.

• St Johnstone must win this match and hope Ross County fail to beat Aberdeen to avoid a place in the play-offs. The Saints have, however, lost 19 league games this season, last losing 20+ in a top-flight campaign in 2001-02 (27), when they were last relegated.

• St Johnstone’s Craig Levein has lost each of his last four MD38 games in the Scottish top-flight, twice with Dundee United (2007-08, 2008-08) and twice with Hearts (2017-18, 2018-19). He last avoided defeat on the final matchday in a season in the top tier in 2006-07, when his Dundee United side drew 0-0 with Motherwell, while his last such win was also over Motherwell with Hearts in 2003-04 (3-2).