St Johnstone

Image source, SNS

Nicky Clark was delighted to send St Johnstone fans home happy on Saturday after scoring a late winner against Dundee.

Despite a lengthy VAR check, Clark's 90th minute goal stood and sent Simo Valakari's side back to Perth with all three points.

"I think even in the first half we were on top," the striker said.

"I've just heard the possession stats and I know that doesn't win you football matches but I think we were on top.

"We weren't happy with the goal we conceded. We can do much better than that as a team.

"But we just said [at half-time] to stay positive and keep moving the ball and we would get chances and that’s exactly what happened."

It was new manager Valakari's first game in the dug-out after being appointed earlier this month.

"He is great," Clark added.

"He has brought a lot of energy. Probably just what the place needed.

"The fans were right behind him [on Saturday] and we are just delighted we could send them home happy."

Image source, SNS

• Dundee have lost a home game after leading at half time in the Premiership for the first time since 5th October 2024 against Kilmarnock .

• St Johnstone have won after trailing at half time away from home in the Premiership for the first time since 17th December 2022 against Ross County (14 games without a win after trailing at half time).

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

• St Johnstone have attempted 20 shots in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

St Johnstone battled back to earn a Scottish Premiership victory against Dundee after a dramatic finish to Simo Valakari's first game in charge.

How significant was that late goal from Nicky Clark? Were you impressed with Saints at Dens Park?

Let us know your thoughts here, external.

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "Our players were fantastic today, and our fans were unbelievable. Going down 1-0 first half we did not freeze. We just kept gong and the fans were backing us.

"I was very pleased to hear the things our player were talking about half-time and what we needed to do. It was just a matter of going and doing it and I'm so pleased for everyone.

"It was a good way for the referee to explain why it took so long. There were many incidents he needed to look at. It would have been a penalty to us for a handball by the defender [anyway].

"It was a good openness from the referee to explain it.

"Nothing has changed. We got the three points but tomorrow and Monday we are back to work and we still have a lot of things to improve."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Despite being denied the chance to manage his team from the sidelines, Simo Valakari's energy and enthusiasm since arriving in Scotland has brought intrigue about whether he can breathe life into St Johnstone's season.

It did not appear to be the case in the first half, which was joyless from both sides and in particular for the Saints defence which gifted Dundee the opener.

But after the break St Johnstone's sharpness and intensity lifted instantly, and pacy strikers Adama Sidibeh and Benjamin Kimpioka got into the game.

Both fashioned chances in the box before the goals eventually came, with Carey scoring a trademark goal and the wily Nicky Clark popping up with the crucial moment.

Jason Holt also really impressed in midfield. Craig Levein was adamant before his departure he had assembled a more attacking squad than in seasons gone by in Perth.

The former boss is absolutely right about that and it will be fascinating to see how Valakari can harness it, while also working on a shaky defence.

Image source, SNS

Dundee midfielder Mo Sylla returns from suspension, while defender Jordan McGhee and midfielder Scott Fraser will be assessed.

And centre-half Joe Shaughnessy is making good progress from a long-term knee injury.

Croat centre-half Bozo Mikulic is still waiting on a work permit to complete his move to St Johnstone after leaving Partizan Tirana.

The visitors will also again be without Cammy MacPherson, Uche Ikpeazu and Sam McClelland.

Image source, SNS

Dundee midfielder Mo Sylla returns from suspension while Jordan McGhee and Scott Fraser will be assessed. Joe Shaughnessy is making good progress from a long-term knee injury.

St Johnstone will again be without Cammy MacPherson, Uche Ikpeazu (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles), while Croatian centre-half Bozo Mikulic is still waiting on a work permit.

Image source, SNS

Barry Douglas was persuaded to join St Johnstone by head coach Simo Valakari and his desire to "change the narrative" around the Perth club.

The 35-year-old left-back was out of contract over the summer after three years at Polish side Lech Poznan and was keen to keep playing.

"The coach was probably the deciding factor,” said Douglas. “I had a very different summer because it was the first time in 18 years that I was free so I had no expectation.

"I just fully immersed myself in enjoying it with the family. We travelled and had some amazing holidays, but as the time goes on, you start to get itchy feet and that definitely happened with me.

"I felt I was lacking a wee bit of purpose. I wanted to be around that day-to-day interaction, which you don’t get when you’re just training by yourself. And then it had to be something that motivated me."

St Johnstone have had to battle to hold on to their Premiership status during the last two seasons, off the back of back-to-back top six finishes and the famous Cup double of the 20-21 season.

"I’m fortunate enough to play football not for financial reasons, it needs to be about the project to motivate me," Douglas added.

"When I spoke to the coach, I learned how he wanted to play and change the narrative around St Johnstone. That was what appealed to me to come here.

"I know my body and if I didn’t feel I was adequate enough to keep playing, then I would have hung up the boots, but I feel very good mentally and physically. I just need to get up to speed with the sharpness and let’s see how I can contribute.”

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone's new head coach Simo Valakari will finally make his first appearance on the touchline against Dundee on Saturday.

The former Motherwell midfielder was appointed on 1 October but has yet to fully take charge of the team on a matchday due to visa issues.

In a statement last week, the club said the problem was "completely outside of club control" but they have now confirmed Valakari will be in the dugout.

Since the 51-year-old Finn replaced Craig Levein at the helm, coaches Andy Kirk and Alec Cleland have taken control of the team on match days, with Saints losing at Rangers before beating Ross County in Perth.

However, Valakari will be present on the bench at Dens Park and will also be available for media duties.

Image source, SNS

• Dundee have won their last two league meetings with St Johnstone, last winning three in a row against the Perth side in the top flight in April 2002 under Ivano Bonetti.

• St Johnstone are winless in six Scottish Premiership meetings with Dundee (D3 L3), this after winning five in a row against the Dark Blues beforehand.

• After their 1-0 win at Motherwell, Dundee are looking to win back-to-back league games for the first time since March last season – when their second win was over St Johnstone (2-1).

• Having beaten Ross County 3-0 last time out, St Johnstone are looking to earn back-to-back league wins for the first time since November 2022 (run of three). This will be their 72nd league match since they last won consecutively.

• Benjamin Kimpioka has scored four goals in seven league games for St Johnstone this season, surpassing his tally for the club in the whole of last season (three in 17).

Sam Miller
Fan writer

Remarkably, the weekend win over Ross County was the first time we have scored a first-half goal and taken the lead in a league game at home since January.

Looking back, every turgid match during that run seemed the same.

Saturday was different. A performance full of confidence, cohesion and most importantly... goals!

Although the red tape has yet to be cut for new boss Simo Valakari to take to the dugout, his influence can certainly be seen through bold team selections and an air of freshness throughout the whole squad.

The shackles seem to have departed McDiarmid along with the former gaffer and long may it continue.

Sam Miller can be found at The Dogger Saints, external

Ghana international Dennis Khorsa, a 28-year-old who can operate at left-back, left centre-half or as a holding midfielder, has begun a trial with St Johnstone set up by previous manager Craig Levein. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone have announced the signing of Scotland international Barry Douglas on a free transfer.

The 35-year-old left-back, who was most recently contracted to Lech Poznan, has penned a deal until the end of the season.

Douglas earned his only Scotland cap in 2018, and has won the English Championship with both Wolves and Leeds United.

"It is an exciting time," Douglas said. "I am looking forward to the opportunity to come in and try to help the guys develop.

"There is a project here. It is a bit of a transition period with the new manager coming in.

"I had a look and it is quite a young squad, so I can definitely bring my quality and experience to help everyone develop both on and off the park.

"The hunger is still there, the drive is still there and that is why I am so excited to be here playing my football."

BBC Sportscene pundits Neil McCann and Barry Robson reflect on St Johnstone's goal scoring in their 3-0 win against Ross County.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

St Johnstone have suffered from goal-drought for what feels like forever. Not anymore.

Craig Levein may be gone but he deserves great credit for bringing Adama Sidebeh and Benjamin Kimpioka to the club. The latter stole the show at McDiarmid Park against Ross County with two goals.

Allan: Dundee will be a bigger test but what a game to win, season could look a brighter by next Saturday.

Craig: A much more complete performance. Benjamin Kimpioka needs that lifetime contract offered NOW! Worth every penny.

Robin: A routine home win - can't remember the last time we could say that. A team with a plan, a team happy to retain possession and a team not threatened by a County side hampered by ill-discipline was very pleasing. Moving on, Saturday is our biggest game of the season and we need a full 90-minute performance.

Anon: It was more like our St Johnstone that we haven't seen in a long time. They actually worked as a team having our two players back from suspension, no doubt was a big moral boost to the lads. Drey Wright and Matt Smith were brilliant as was Jason Holt. And when Makenzie Kirk came on he was just his usual self, got right into the nitty gritty and scored. Great player.

Image source, SNS

• Jack Sanders attempted 96 passes in this game, the highest total for a St Johnstone player in the Premiership this season.

• Benjamin Kimpioka has scored four goals in the Premiership this season (two in this game), more than any other St Johnstone player.

• St Johnstone attempted 18 shots in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• St Johnstone attempted 631 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• Ross County have failed to score in four of their nine games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Premiership this season.

Former Dundee United, Wolves and Leeds left-back Barry Douglas, 35, is set for a trial period with St Johnstone. (The Courier), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, Getty Images

St Johnstone ended their seven-match winless streak with their first home Scottish Premiership victory this season against nine-man Ross County.

Despite being appointed on 1 October, new head coach Simo Valakari watched his side's win from the stand with the relevant paperwork yet to be completed.

The Finn would have had a smile on his face, though, when Benji Kimpioka cushioned in from close-range to deafen County cries of a foul in the build-up.

A quick VAR check - citing minimal contact - muted their pleas, and they were left shaking their heads once more when wing-back Eli Campbell was brandished a red card following two reckless and needless challenges inside the opening 31 minutes.

Even without the player advantage, St Johnstone were well within their groove and a second goal seemed a question of when, not if.

It should have came earlier than it did, as Kimpioka skied a glorious chance inside the box, but the forward made no mistake seconds later, latching onto Matt Smith's killer cross to power his shot past Ross Laidlaw.

Clark did celebrate a neat flick from close by but after a VAR check, his goal was chopped off for offside.

But County got no such reprieve when Charlie Telfer was shown a straight red when his dangerous, straight-leg tackle caught Sven Sprangler.

With virtually the last kick of the ball - and likely the last piece of action under Kirk's stewardship - Makenzie Kirk, caretaker Andy's son, toe-poked in a third.

Give us your thoughts on the game here., external

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone interim head coach Andy Kirk: "Hopefully we'll get things sorted this week for the manager and he can take over on the touchline, but, it's a good day for us and a win that we much needed, so I'm really pleased for the players and for fans.

"Any win in this league is important, no matter where and when it comes, but especially today at home, the supporters deserved that, the players definitely served that for the efforts they've put in over the last few weeks so we've got to be really pleased for them.

"Hopefully we can continue on that vein, and if we do we give ourselves a chance to pick up more points as the season goes on.

"The clean sheet side of it as well, to score three goals at home is great and we had the advantage, but sometimes that's not as easy to play against. "

On Kimpioka and Sidibeh: "They pose a threat for any defenders and they can score goals so when you've got those attributes, if we can create chances for them, then we give ourselves a chance to get the three points.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at McDiarmid Park

Image source, SNS

When Kimpioka and Adama Sidibeh are in the mood, they really are a dangerous duo and a frightening prospect for most defences in the league.

They are both so powerful in their press and cause havoc with their movement.

Though Kimpioka got his double, he really ought to have been going home with the match ball while, at worse, Sidibeh should have been celebrating one of his many shots.

They spearheaded a well-organised and patient St Johnstone, whose fans can only be disappointed they didn't walk away with more.

At times, there was a little frustration at the way the team appeared content passing the ball around in the second half. Perhaps the events of the 3-3 draw with County just a matter of weeks ago are still in the minds.

But rarely do St Johnstone have the luxury of spraying the ball around with zero pressure, dominating and being in cruise control. Three things they were here.

They were clearly enjoying the freedom and time they had to concoct an attack, encapsulated by Graham Carey nifty footwork to set up the third and final goal.

Utter dominance and the most deserving of wins.

Kirk said pre-match the players were playing to prove themselves to Valakari in the stands. Many will have left a good impression.