St Johnstone

St Johnstone have now lost five from seven at home in the league this season and rarely threatened an upset against Rangers.

The first half was even, if uninspiring, but the visitors took control after the half-time break.

Centre-backs Jack Sanders and Bozo Mikulic were joined by Lewis Neilson for most of the second half and those three were kept busy repelling attack after attack.

However, the ball just kept coming back since St Johnstone completely lost their grip in midfield and the mounting pressure forced that one crucial lapse as Jason Holt could only knock the ball into his own net from close range.

The changes made by manager Simo Valakari before the goal were designed to hold on to the stalemate and they could do nothing to alter the flow of the match after falling behind.

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St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari told BBC Scotland: "We came to compete, to get something out of the match. It was not to be, but I can't blame my players, they put their heart and soul out there.

"It was difficult in some moments, but we did not give up. We were lacking the cutting edge, the final moment, the calmness in our head.

"When you play against the top teams, you need to be at your best. We were at our best mentally, physically, but just could not hurt them as much as we wanted.

"Yes, I'm disappointed. But, at the same time, I learnt so much more about my players and you saw what we were all about."

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St Johnstone could not really lay a glove on Rangers at McDiarmid Park.

Sven Sprangler was prominent in the first half as the Perth side contained the visitors without too much fuss.

Once the Austrian was withdrawn, Saints completely fell out of the midfield battle.

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Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Goalkeeper Josh Rae says getting the chance to show what he can do between the sticks for St Johnstone has whetted his appetite to hold on to his place in the team.

The 24-year-old, who arrived on a two-year deal from Airdrieonians in the summer, began the season in goal but lost his spot when Ross Sinclair recovered from injury.

However, he was recently restored to the side following another injury to Sinclair. Now with both keepers now fit, Rae is determined to keep his place in the team.

"Obviously Ross was in and he was doing well, but I just worked hard in training and waited for that opportunity again," Rae said.

"We push each other and get on really well, but it is just about keeping it going now and hopefully I can keep my place.

"At the start of the season it was difficult going straight into the team, I missed the last few months of last season so it was quite tough.

"But after dropping out of the team for a few games and getting back in, it has made me a lot hungrier to stay in there."

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St Johnstone's Barry Douglas misses out with a knock. Saints are still without long-term absentees Uche Ikpeazu (knee), Cammy MacPherson (hip) and Sam McClelland (Achilles).

Danilo and Ianis Hagi return to the Rangers squad after missing out on the Nice game as they are not in the European squad.

Oscar Cortes has returned to training and Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo are getting close to a return following their respective injuries, while Neysharo Kasanwirjo is out long term with a knee injury.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Simo Valakari insists Rangers' impressive Europa League win in Nice "doesn't make any difference to us" as St Johnstone bid to add to the Ibrox side's domestic struggles.

Third-place Rangers, who trail 11 points behind Premiership leaders Celtic, travel to Perth on Sunday on the back of a 4-1 victory in France.

"The one thing we cannot control is the form the opponent is in when they're going to play against us," said Saints boss Valakari.

"So basically, what happened in Rangers' last match doesn't make any difference to us. Now they play against us, and we start from zero.

"What I saw from the first minute from Rangers [against Nice] was a very determined team, who has been hurting because maybe they have not got the [domestic] results.

"They wanted to show they are a good team, they are good players and they put a performance on, but that was last night and Sunday is a new game.

"For me to see them play and score those goals, it was not a surprise because you see the quality of the players and it has been maybe just a matter of time before they start collecting these goals."

Valakari is refusing to get carried away after his side's victory over Kilmarnock last time out, which ended a three-game losing run and lifted Saints to ninth in the table.

"Of course we can talk about our process and where we want to take our club, but we need the results more for the outside noise to calm a little bit, like they are doing it the right way," he added.

"We know inside what we are doing. The results we have got lately have not been what we want but we see where we are going and we work towards it.

"We know where we are, we are not now ‘Oh we win one match and everything is good.' No, we are still a work in process."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premiership visit of Rangers.

Here are the key lines:

• Valakari wasn't surprised to see Rangers thrash Nice in Europe, saying it was "only a matter of time" before they performed like that and "you see the quality of their players".

• He added: "I saw a very determined team who has been hurting", but points out Sunday is different game and "it is our job to make it difficult for them".

• To get a positive result Valakari says Saints will have to do the basics well and "add some extra moments".

• The Finn describes his team as a "work in progress" who are "taking steps in the right direction".

• Having ended a three-game losing run by beating Kilmarnock last weekend, Valakari says Saints need results "more for the outside noise".

• Barry Douglas, Uche Ikpeazu, Sam McClelland and Cammy MacPherson are all out.

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• St Johnstone have lost their last seven meetings with Rangers in all competitions, last suffering a longer losing run against them in December 1992 (10 in a row).

• Rangers have only lost one of their last 23 meetings with St Johnstone in all competitions (W18 D4), and one of their last 19 against the Perth men away from home (W15 D3), a 2-1 defeat in November 2022 under Giovanni van Bronckhorst in what proved to be their final defeat under the Dutchman.

• St Johnstone have won two of their last three home league games (L1), as many as their previous 15 beforehand (W2 D4 L9).

• With just four points, this is Rangers’ lowest tally from their opening five away games of a league season since 1987-88 under Graeme Souness (also 4).

• Rangers have won 25 of their last 26 league games played in December, although the exception was their most recent, losing 2-1 to Celtic last year.

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari wants to add a right-sided defender to his squad when the transfer window opens in the new year, despite winger Drey Wright impressing as a stand-in at full-back this season. (The Courier), external

Sven Sprangler was given the option to leave St Johnstone in the summer, but his decision to stay and fight for his place has been vindicated by the 29-year-old Austrian midfielder becoming a key member of the side since Simo Valakari's arrival as manager. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Sam Miller
Fan writer

The 1-0 result against Kilmarnock was good, but the clean sheet felt better.

Every week I have felt like I'm coming away from a match saying we played OK except for losing soft goals.

Killie had what felt like 49 corners and absolutely battered balls into the box, but the defence never looked under pressure.

The signing of Bozo Milokic seems to have steadied the backline. With not one but two of our strikers sitting atop of the goalscoring charts, it won't be long until everything starts clicking consistently and what better time against a floundering Rangers team this Sunday.

We might well be the team to finally unshoogle that peg permanently.

Sam Miller can be found on The Dogger Saints podcast., external

Training ground work was behind St Johnstone's first headed goal of the season in Saturday's 1-0 win over Kilmarnock and Saints manager Simo Valakari hopes for more. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

St Johnstone have two players in my team of the week after their 1-0 win over Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Andre Raymond provided the assist for Makenzie Kirk's goal which proved to be so vital.

Kirk was impressive overall - more successful dribbles than anyone else on the pitch and no other player had more shots or shots inside the opposition box.

We asked for your views on St Johnstone's 1-0 win against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

Les: A terrific three points for us and great to get a clean sheet. We looked more assured defensively with Bozo Mikulic playing and Josh Rae's confidence is getting better. All in all, mostly a good day for us.

Simon: The management from Simo Valakari was excellent. A well thought out and bold move in playing Makenzie Kirk from the start. We played well, although we can easily play a lot better. Kilmarnock looked pretty poor. We should approach next Sunday with confidence that we can get another three points.

Watch Sportscene analysis of St Johnstone's 1-0 win against Kilmarnock.

Watch highlights as St Johnstone win 1-0 against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

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• Kilmarnock have failed to score in five of their 13 games, only Ross County (seven) have failed to score more often in the Premiership this season.

• St Johnstone have scored in their last six games in the Premiership, their longest scoring streak this season.

• Kilmarnock have lost their last three games in the Premiership, their last joint longest losing streak was from 4th August 2024 to 25th August 2024.

• St Johnstone have scored in each of their last six games in the Premiership, scoring nine goals in that run.

St Johnstone ended a run of three consecutive league defeats with a 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.

Let us know your thoughts on the match here., external

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St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "Big three points. The game was pretty much what we expected.

"We played against a very strong team who came and man marked us full pitch. It was not easy.

"We have good strikers and a lot of options there. All of them have different strengths.

"Makenzie Kirk has put his head down and has waited for his chance.

"I asked him to put the hard work in to help the team defend and he did fantastically."

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

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It was a first start in five league matches and a first under Simo Valakari for Makenzie Kirk.

The 20-year-old more than repaid his new manager's trust with a crucial goal accompanied by an impressive performance.

He completed more successful dribbles than anyone else on the pitch and no other player had more shots or shots inside the opposition box.

His last start was in early October at Ibrox, where he missed a big opportunity to level the game at 1-0 down, but that doesn't seem to have fazed him.

There's always going to be a lot of pressure as the assistant manager's son, but Kirk answered his critics today.

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St Johnstone: Rae, Wright, Mikulic, Sanders, Raymond, Carey, Sprangler, Holt, Clark, Kirk, Kimpioka

Substitutes: Sinclair, Cameron, Neilson, Essel, Sidibeh, Kucheriavyi, Smith, McPake, Franczak

Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Mayo, Wright, Deas, Ndaba, Donnelly, Lyons, Watson, Armstrong, Vassell, Watkins

Substitutes: O'Hara, Burroughs, McKenzie, Mackay-Steven, Murray, Cameron, Anderson, Polworth, Bainbridge

Image source, SNS

Goalkeeper Ross Sinclair is available again for St Johnstone, who are just missing long-term absentees Uche Ikpeazu (knee), Cammy MacPherson (hip) and Sam McClelland (Achilles).

Kilmarnock midfielder Liam Polworth is back in contention while Danny Armstrong missed the Celtic game with a hamstring injury.

Stuart Findlay (ankle) is out long term and Kyle Magennis is working towards a comeback.

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Simo Valakari believes St Johnstone are ready to halt their three-game losing streak after "very beneficial" extra time on the training pitch.

Saints return from the international break to host Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Recently-appointed manager Valakari said: "Spending more time together on the training field, spending time on little details, it has been very beneficial.

"Players who had little injuries have had time to heal and players with bigger injuries have been working hard.

"For me the confidence is our preparation, the daily process of what we do on the training ground.

"Three losses in a row is not us, we don't like it, but if we got three wins in a row it doesn't mean we would automatically win the fourth."

Valakari insists he is "excited" for the challenge of facing a "very well coached" Kilmarnock team.

"I really like what I see from Kilmarnock, I like how they overload the opponents' last line, they put a lot of players there," he said.

"They will put the ball in the box because they have big strikers, but if you give them time and space, they will play.

"We know we need to be our best to get something out of the match and we need to be humble, concentrated and do the small things as well as possible."