St Johnstone

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St Johnstone manager Craig Levein tells Sportsound: "We were a bit inconsistent, but again the team very rarely let me down in regards to effort and willingness to keep going until the last whistle and they've done that again.

"The only things that is slightly disappointing about this evening is that it's slightly out of our hands. I'd rather have the opportunity to beat Motherwell and that guarantee us something.

"We've no control over how the Ross County v Aberdeen game will pan out. We can only think about putting in a good performance against Motherwell and we'll take what we get.

"If we're in a situation where Ross County beat Aberdeen, we're in the play-offs and I'd rather be in the play-offs in a positive frame of mind. If we can win and do well on Sunday, we will be."

Adama Sidibeh’s late header was enough to send the relegation play-off place battle to the final day as St Johnstone claimed a dramatic draw with Ross County at McDiarmid Park.

Yan Dhanda’s first-half solo strike looked set to secure County’s place in the Scottish Premiership and condemn the hosts to second bottom until Sidibeh planted an inch-perfect header past Ross Laidlaw in the 91st minute.

St Johnstone remain two points behind County, who welcome Aberdeen on Sunday while the Perth side visit Motherwell.

What did you think of that St Johnstone fans? Was that a fair result? Do you believe you have what it takes to stay up?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

There was a decent crowd to cheer St Johnstone on this evening, but their faces grew more worried as the night went on.

There was not going to be a better chance than May’s in the first half and when he dribbled his effort at Laidlaw, it seemed apparent that the Saints wouldn’t trouble the County goal.

But Sidibeh has been one of the league's feel-good stories. Plucked from the seventh tier of English football, from a team that even Football Manager completists wouldn't have heard of, he might have just pulled off the ultimate rescue.

Only time will tell.

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Dimitar Mitov. Four saves, plenty of them important. St Johnstone would be down scrapping with Livingston if it wasn't for the Bulgarian between the sticks.

He will be vital on Sunday, and potentially in the play-offs.

Former St Johnstone midfielder calls the Perth side's relegation battle with Ross County an "all or nothing" encounter.

• Listen to full episodes of BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland

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Liam Gordon insists St Johnstone have the qualities required to fight off relegation, as they prepare for Wednesday's crucial clash with Ross County.

St Johnstone sit 11th in the Premiership, two points behind County with two games of the regular league season remaining, and Gordon believes they can leapfrog the Dingwall side.

"Absolutely no questions about that," he said. "A lot of us have been in similar situations, whether that is at this club or other clubs; we have got enough experience in the room to get us over the line.

"It is all the basic fundamentals that is what it will probably come down to. We need a little bit of quality in the final third. That is when the ability comes into it, but certainly it will be a lot to do with the mind .

"Doing all the basics, the fight, the grit, the determination, I am sure that is what is going to help us and hopefully get the job done for us."

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• St Johnstone have won both of their last two league games against Ross County; they’ve never won three in a row against the Staggies in the top-flight before.

• After their 1-0 defeat in November, Ross County could lose back-to-back top-flight away games at St Johnstone for the very first time.

• St Johnstone are winless in eight home league games (D3 L5), losing each of their last three in a row. The Saints haven’t scored more than once in any of their last 12 home league matches (nine goals overall).

• Ross County are winless in 16 away league games (D5 L11), losing each of their last seven in a row. This is both the longest winless and losing run they have ever suffered in the Scottish top-flight.

• St Johnstone’s Craig Levein has never lost to Ross County as a manager in the Scottish Premiership, winning three and drawing three of six previous meetings.

Liam Gordon says St Johnstone were not trying to replicate Celtic's huddle at Livingston but has pledged that the same unity from pitch to stands will be on evidence at McDiarmid Park for the must-win game with Ross County. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

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St Johnstone manager Craig Levein is not anticipating any notable changes to the squad he had at his disposal for Saturday’s defeat at Livingston. Luke Robinson (knee), Tony Gallacher (calf) and Sven Sprangler (knee) all missed that match although the Austrian midfielder is pushing for a return.

Ross County are still missing Max Sheaf (muscle), Dylan Smith (ankle) and Scott Allardice (knee). Ross Callachan is back training after 13 months out with a knee injury but is not ready to play.

St Johnstone boss Craig Levein hopes for a similar performance but better result than last Saturday's defeat by Livingston when his side side host Ross County in a crucial relegation clash on Wednesday night.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Johnstone manager Craig Levein insists he has no concerns about his position as he attempts to steer the club to safety.

The former Scotland boss was appointed on a two-and-a-half-year deal in November when the Perth side were propping up the table.

Saints are currently second bottom and will be consigned to finishing in the relegation play-off spot if they lose at home to fellow strugglers Ross County on Wednesday night.

There has been criticism from some quarters amid a disappointing run of results that has seen Levein's side win just two of their last 13 league games.

"No, no I don’t [have concerns about his position], in fact I haven’t even thought about it," said Levein.

"Would we have liked to have been out of this position by now? Yes, of course. But we are where we are and we have two games left.

"This one, because it is against our nearest rivals, is hugely important and our intention is to try and get all three points.

"We have been at the bottom end of the table for most of the season and handled it reasonably well."

Despite the weekend defeat at already-relegated Livingston, Levein was encouraged by the performance heading into the crucial midweek showdown with a County side whose only away win this season came in September.

"It is the best we have played this season, certainly since I have been here," he added.

"I am hopeful that is a good sign of the performance that we put on against Ross County."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Johnstone manager Craig Levein has been speaking to the media before his side host Ross County in a crucial Premiership match on Wednesday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• He said the game is big for both clubs, and insists St Johnstone are "capable" of getting out of the play-off spot "without anybody else's help".

• Says the pressure of the current situation is nothing new - “we have been sitting in this position forever, it is the same."

• Wants his side to deliver a "similar type of performance" to the one they produced at Almondvale, despite that particular result.

• Says be "doesn't understand" Nick Montgomery's sacking at Hibs given he was only given one transfer window.

• He added the shortening lifespan of managers in jobs is getting more "ridiculous".

• Levein insists he doesn't have any concerns about his own position, saying he hasn't thought about it.

• Team news: Levein expects a similar line-up to the team that lost at Livingston. "If there are changes it will be one or two maximum".

Sam Miller
Fan writer

The team keep finding new ways to surprise and disappoint me.

Saints should have been out of sight after 20 minutes at Livingston on Saturday, but when the second goal didn't come I always felt the inevitable was going to happen.

The majority of players are good enough for us to stay in the league, but it seems more mental than physical at the moment.

If we perform like we did in the opening exchanges against Livingston in our 'do-or-die' battle against Ross County on Wednesday night, we might get out of trouble yet.

Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints, external

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St Johnstone welcome Ross County to McDiarmid Park in a massive game at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.

Craig Levein's side need to avoid defeat if they want to take the relegation play-off fight down to the final day but who should be in his starting line-up?

Put yourself in the manager's shoes and pick your XI here.

Watch Sportscene analysis of St Johnstone's defeat to Livingston.

Available to UK users only.

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Ross County head into a crucial meeting of relegation rivals with St Johnstone as "slight favourites", says Richard Foster.

Having played for both clubs, the former defender believes the Dingwall side are more likely to score in a high-stakes contest at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday.

However, Foster points to County's poor record on the road as a sign of hope for St Johnstone, who he believes will need a strong defensive showing to move out of the play-off position.

"I think Ross County have more goals in the team," he tells BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Simon Murray's got a great return for a team that are near the bottom of the league.

"They also have got the option of Jordan White, who came on the pitch and makes a difference because of his aerial prowess.

"It's all about whether St Johnstone can stop Ross County scoring and then nick one up to the end.

"I know they actually played quite well against Livingston and missed a few chances.

"But I think for me, I would slightly favour Ross County. Having said that, I don't think their record in Perth is very good. Their record away from home is not very good."

Watch highlights as Livingston beat St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

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Stevie May says St Johnstone have to learn from Saturday's 2-1 defeat away to Livingston if they are to bounce back against relegation rivals Ross County on Wednesday.

Craig Levein's side took an early lead at Almondvale, but squandered several clear-cut chances before being suckered by two late goals.

They have now lost their last four games and are 11th in the table, two points behind County in 10th.

“It is tough," May said. “It was really disappointing in the end on Saturday, we had plenty of chances to win the game. It was tough in the changing room afterwards, the boys were down.

“We have a game so quick; it is important that we put it to the back of our minds and take the positives.

“We started the game really well, high tempo and we have to try replicate the start we had when we play on Wednesday and take the chances when they come.”

We asked for your thoughts after St Johnstone lost 2-1 to already-relegated Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.

Here's what you had to say:

Anon: Craig Levein needs to do the decent thing and walk away. The team has no fight and it looks like we are headed for the play-offs.

Ally: I would like one of your reporters to ask Geoff Brown what he thinks about appointing Levein as manager because he has set Saints on course back to where they were when Brown took control of the club. The club's current predicament lies fair and square with the Brown family.

Brian: Levein has done little to assist St Johnstone in their travails, and for big money.

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• Livingston have won after conceding the opening goal in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since 4 November 2022 against Kilmarnock (34 games without a win).

• Livingston have won after trailing at half time at home in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since 8 December 2018 against St. Mirren (22 games without a win after trailing at half time).

• St Johnstone have attempted 25 shots in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Livingston have scored in their last four games in the Scottish Premiership, their joint longest scoring streak this season.

A tough, late defeat for St Johnstone in West Lothian.

Saints fans, let us know your thoughts on today's game here.