St Johnstone

Were you at McDiarmid Park to take in St Johnstone's 1-1 draw with Aberdeen?

Whether you followed from the ground or from home, what did you make of the result?

Let us know.

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St Johnstone manager Craig Levein told BBC Scotland: "The most pleasing thing for the match tonight was we redeemed ourselves [from Saturday]. Much more unity and togetherness.

"We have a goal chopped off and a penalty against us. I thought we deserved at least a point.

"The boys are saying the penalty was a penalty. They've been great in every single bar match bar Saturday and for 20 minutes against Kilmarnock. They've been really enthusiastic.

"You can't guarantee a win, but hopefully we're back on track and can push on from here."

Thomas Duncan, BBC Sport Scotland

St Johnstone needed a reaction from Saturday's shock cup exit at Airdrieonians, and manager Levein did get it eventually. The first half was poor from both sides, a non-event.

However, after the break it was Saints who created the better chances. The foul by Gordon that ended in Carey's goal being chalked off seemed soft, and then to concede a penalty in the same fashion was frustrating.

But the hosts bounced back well, with Diallang Jaiyesimi missing two opportunities, and Max Kucheraviyi hitting the frame of the goal.

They are still winless in five and have only managed 14 goals in 21 games, but it was a solid home performance.

Daniel Phillips was good again for St Johnstone, but Graham Carey is their creator in chief. He provided the equaliser and had a goal ruled out, creating three chances overall

The veteran keeps providing for the Saints.

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Saints boss Craig Levein reacts to the weekend cup defeat by Airdrieonians by making five changes for the visit of Aberdeen.

Out go Fran Franczak, Tony Gallacher, Max Kucheriavyi, Benjamin Kimpioka, and Nicky Clark.

In come Luke Robinson, Diallang Jaiyesimi, Daniel Phillips, Sven Sprangler, and new signing David Keltjens, who makes his debut.

• Follow the action

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St Johnstone manager Craig Levein has told defender James Brown, midfielder Cammy Ballantyne and forward Luke Jephcott they can leave the club. (The Courier), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Image source, BBC Sport

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Craig Levein has challenged his St Johnstone side to return to "full speed" after they suffered a Scottish Cup upset to Airdrieonians last weekend.

The Perth club have the chance to respond as they welcome Aberdeen to McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night.

“I was obviously disappointed with the result and the performance but to be fair to the players, other than 20 minutes against Kilmarnock, which was poor, that was the first time that we had played as badly," Levein said.

“So I have evidence of two examples of games where we haven’t performed anywhere near our best, so the challenge is to get back to full speed as quickly as possible.

“Whether the break has had something to do with it I’m not really sure, and you also have to give credit to Airdrie, I thought they played well on the day. But I think we need to get back to doing what we have been doing.

“I hope this group of players can get back to what I know they are capable of and that is my primary concern.”

St Johnstone look to close the gap on Aberdeen when the sides meet at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.

But who should make the starting line-up?

Pick your Saints XI here.

Image source, BBC Sport

• St. Johnstone have failed to win any of their last four Scottish Premiership matches against Aberdeen (D1 L3) since a 1-0 win in May 2022. Saints haven’t scored 2+ goals in a league match against Aberdeen since December 2018, drawing a blank in each of their last four against the Dons.

• Aberdeen have won on four of their last five away visits to McDiarmid Park (L1), with all of the last five such matches ending in a 1-0 scoreline (four to Aberdeen, one to St. Johnstone).

• St. Johnstone have lost just one of their five home league matches under Craig Levein (W3 D1) since his appointment, winning three of their last four (L1) – keeping a clean sheet in all three of those victories.

• Aberdeen have won three of their last six Scottish Premiership away games (L3), as many victories as across their previous 16 league games on the road (D2 L11); the Dons could win back-to-back away games for the first time since April 2023 when they won three in a row, including against St. Johnstone and Ross County, who they beat 3-0 last time out.

• Aberdeen’s Bojan Miovski has been involved in five goals in his last four Scottish Premiership matches (4 goals 1 assist) and overall he is averaging a goal contribution every 139 minutes in the competition this season – nine goals and two assists in 1526 minutes.

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein would love to keep Dan Phillips at the club but admits he faces a fight to retain the 23-year-old midfielder, who is out of contract this summer. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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The SPFL say the draft report of an independent review of the league's operations shows it complies "with significant elements of the UK Code of Corporate Governance".

The review was commissioned in July after the SPFL's chairman Murdoch MacLennan apologised to Rangers as a dispute over sponsorship was concluded.

The SPFL agreed a deal with car firm cinch in 2021 but Rangers did not promote the deal and took the matter to court, citing a prior agreement with rival car retailer Park's of Hamilton.

"I am reassured but not complacent," said MacLennan of the review.

"We will now take time to consider Henderson Loggie's detailed recommendations before bringing suggested changes back to the 42 SPFL member clubs for their consideration.

“Whilst a number of the recommendations from the draft report are already being addressed, the board and the wider organisation will, of course, take all necessary steps to improve further on the excellent work which has been undertaken to date."

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We asked for your thoughts after St Johnstone were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Airdrieonians.

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

Dougie: No shots on target today and not for the first time. A genius is not needed to work out that we need to win games to stay up. We are paying strikers who can't do their job.

Jason: St Johnstone really needs a new goalkeeper because the one we have isn't that great. I think they should sign David Marshall, he would be an amazing player for the team.

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein refuses to accept the excuse of rustiness following the Perth side's Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Airdrieonians. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip

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Were you at Excelsior Stadium on Saturday or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on St Johnstone's Scottish Cup defeat by Airdrieonians – have your say here.

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein: "We didn't start the game well and didn't get any better.

"There weren't loads of chances but we continually gave Airdrie hope. We didn't have anything that gave us the chance to gain confidence.

"Our use of the ball was abysmal. I've got to look at what we did during the winter break, because a performance like that has been unlike this group, and it's something that needs looked at."

Airdrieonians: Rae, McMaster, McCabe, Fordyce, Hancock, Frizzell, Watson, Telfer, McGill, Todorov, McStravick.

Substitutes: Lyall, Taylor-Sinclair, O'Connor, McGregor, Calum Gallagher, Dunlop, Gavin Gallagher, Cassidy, Hutton.

St Johnstone: Mitov, McGowan, Gordon, Considine, Fran Franczak, Kucheriavyi, Matthew Smith, Carey, Gallacher, Mbunga-Kimpioka, Clark.

Substitutes: Keltjens, May, Jaiyesimi, Olufunwa, Robinson, Sprangler, Turner-Cooke, Richards.

Luke Robinson has "unfinished business" after re-joining St Johnstone on loan from Wigan Athletic. (Courier - subscription required), external

Players will need to leave Saints before they can recruit amid reported interest in Hearts midfielder Connor Smith. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip

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Chris Kane says St Johnstone are striving to emulate their Scottish Cup success of 2021.

Craig Levein's side kick off their campaign at Championship side Airdrieonians on Saturday, with Kane urging his side to be at their best to avoid an upset.

"Being around the club when we’ve had those successes was just the best feeling," he told club media, external.

“Obviously, playing the full 90 minutes against Hibs in the 2021 final was a career highlight for me and we all have to strive for more of those days.

“However, I’ve suffered the disappointments as well – I was involved at both Queen of the South and Kelty Hearts when we lost those ties and so I know what to expect tomorrow if I’m involved.”

“Obviously we want to win. Airdrie are a good side and their manager has done very well with them and has them playing good football.

“However, if we go down there, apply ourselves in the right manner and do what we are capable of doing then we can get the win.

“The Scottish Cup is a competition where, if you can get past this round and the draw is kind, you can be in the latter stages quite quickly but that’ll only be a possibility if we get things right tomorrow.”