St Johnstone

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein is pleased with the competition for places he has up front. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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St Johnstone have signed striker Makenzie Kirk from Heart of Midlothian for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old, who is the son of Saints' assistant manager Andy Kirk, scored 43 goals in 48 games for Hearts B in the Lowland League.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Hamilton Academical, making eight appearances without finding the net.

"I love to score goals, get in behind and work hard off the ball," Kirk told the Perth club's website. "That is what you get from me.

"You have to be there to score goals and that is one thing I have always been good at. I like to get on the end of things and put it in the back of the net."

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St Johnstone have signed Arran Cocks, but the "impressive" winger will immediately head out on loan to Forfar Athletic.

The 18-year-old has been on trial in Perth and impressed against Huntly, Nairn and Arbroath.

On signing his contract, he told the club's website he has "been working my whole life for this".

Born in South Africa, he moved to Australia before heading to England at 15 on his own to pursue his football dream.

"I have worked hard every day and it shows that hard work always pays off in the end," he added.

"I’ve been on trial at a couple of clubs but I found St Johnstone and I think this is a good place to be. I have really enjoyed my time here so far.

"My loan spell will be good for me. It is good for me to get some games in and gain experience and confidence.

"Hopefully I can score some goals and create some too, and come back to St Johnstone a better player."

That's the wish of manager Craig Levein, too.

"I hope his loan spell at Forfar will help him to get to grips with the Scottish game and I am sure he will come back to McDiarmid Park a better player," he said.

"At just 18 he is still young and learning the game, but his pace and directness in the final third is impressive."

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein has admitted that squad-cutting will now have to come before squad-building as he has spent the increase in budget supplied by new owner Adam Webb. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Kyle Cameron hopes to bring the "winning mentality" he developed in his successful spell as Notts County captain to his new role at St Johnstone.

Despite only joining on loan this summer, the centre-half has already been named as Craig Levein's captain for this campaign. While it caught him a little off-guard, he's more than ready for the responsibility.

"It was a little bit of a surprise, coming in and that happening but I enjoy the responsibility and I hope I can put across everything I've learned in the last three years as being captain of Notts County, and help the club go to the next level," he told SaintsTV.

"That winning mentality is installed in me, so hopefully I can bring that here and hopefully we can win a good few games of football this season."

He picked up his first win as a St Johnstone player at the weekend, where he grabbed his first goal too against Brechin City.

"I think it went as well as it possibly could, it's always good to get off to a flying start. The win was important, it's a step in the right direction and the goal just topped it off."

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St Johnstone are set to sign England schoolboy international Aaran Cocks after impressing as a trialist in pre-season - although the 18-year-old will immediately be sent out on loan to Forfar. (The Courier, external)

Read the rest of today's Scottish football gossip here.

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St Johnstone have signed Andre Raymond after a recommendation from the defender's Trinidad and Tobago team-mate Dan Phillips.

Raymond, 23, has been training with Saints recently and now joins on a two-year deal after four years in Portugal's lower leagues, most recently with Vilar de Perdizes.

He has nine caps and plays for the national team alongside midfielder Phillips, who ended a two-year St Johnstone spell this summer.

"We are delighted to bring Andre into the club to bolster our defensive options," said manager Craig Levein.

“Andre was a recommendation of our former player Dan Phillips, and we are excited to work with him going forward. Andre’s pace and power will be useful attributes both in defence and attack."

Raymond was already well aware of the club thanks to Phillips.

"He contacted me and mentioned that the coach was really interested in me and he liked me a lot," the new recruit said.

"From then I continued to watch games, study the style of play and witness the atmosphere of the fans, which is really great. I really wanted to come and join the team.

"I want to use this move as a stepping stone to learn and continue to be a student of the game."

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Fran Franczak is excited to continue his St Johnstone "dream" after signing a new contract keeping him at the club until summer 2026.

The midfielder made his debut last September just over a month after turning 16 and racked up his 10th appearance in the season-opening League Cup win over Brechin on Saturday.

Youth academy graduate Franczak said: "I’ve been at the club for eight years now and that has been a dream come true.

"When I was young I used to come to the games and watch the team play, wishing that could be me one day.

"I’m pleased with how I am developing. I need to give a big thanks to the gaffer and the staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play.

"Now I want to keep improving, keep the head down and keep getting better every day."

Boss Craig Levein believes there is plenty more to come from the teenage talent, adding: "His attitude and application for someone so young is great to see and his personality is infectious on the squad."

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Cammy MacPherson says team-mate Aaron Essel is showing "good signs" in the infancy of his St Johnstone career.

Teenager Essel, a Ghana youth international, signed for the Perth side this summer after impressing on trial.

And fellow midfielder MacPherson feels the 18-year-old is already showing promising signs.

On Essel's debut in the League Cup group win at Brechin City, MacPherson said: "It was a welcome to Scottish football, playing at 100 miles an hour.

"You can see as the game goes on he's got that ability to get about the pitch and get the ball back for us.

"He's going to learn, he's only been here a couple of weeks so there are good signs moving forward."

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein has turned his attention to securing a new centre-back and a winger after striker Adama Sidibeh returned to training following the rejection of a low six-figure offer from Swansea City for the Gambia international. (The Courier), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

We asked for your views on what would be a successful season for St Johnstone.

Here's what some of you said:

John: A good season would be not fighting relegation and a wee cup run. A really good season would be competing for top six up until the split.

Cameron: There has been so much positivity about the new owner, and rightly so, as he has come across very well. However, on the pitch this season there has to be an element of realism. Staying up, playing more attractive football and possibly a cup run would mark a very successful season after the previous three. A fast start in the league would be nice.

David: After three years languishing near the bottom, a success story this year would be that of comfort, and not being a relegation scrap that goes to the wire. The new owner and signings have brought a new sense of optimism, however I think we still need a goalkeeper, maybe someone older who perhaps just left another SPFL team and with international experience.

James: An acceptable season would be staying up. A successful season would be a strong challenge for top six. Either way, need to improve on 29 goals scored.

Paul: For this season to be a success, avoiding a relegation battle and taking a step forward in terms of the style of play would be a success for me. The new owner is not going to bring instant success but Craig Levein needs to show an improvement in performance so that he is trusted with a larger budget in the future.

Michael: We need to grow our fanbase and survive in the Premiership.

Stuart: Mid-table and well away from relegation or the play-offs with a more on the front foot style of play would be great. Our signings so far are looking positive following a good, overdue clear out.

Dunc: To be competitive and combative. To start scoring and defend well. To aim to be well safe before the end of the season. To be a team with joined up thinking.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Given this week's confirmation of the takeover of St Johnstone by a group of American investors led by lawyer Adam Webb, the most significant signings at McDiarmid Park could yet be to come.

Most notably a replacement is needed for striker Uche Ikpeazu, who was reunited with his former Heart of Midlothian manager, Craig Levein, only to suffer a serious injury shortly after his switch from League One club Port Vale.

Kyle Cameron, meanwhile, arrives in Perth having lost the captaincy at Notts County despite leading them to promotion from the National League and with head coach Stuart Maynard having recruited a couple of centre-backs this summer already.

However, Levein thinks so highly of the Hexham-born former Scotland Under-21 international's leadership qualities that he has handed the 27-year-old the armband - even though he is only on loan - and the first test of that could come away to Brechin City on Saturday.

• Read Clive's full piece here

St Johnstone fans, what do you think would constitute success under Craig Levein in the coming season?

Is staying up the primary objective, or would you set your sights higher?

Have your say here, external.

New St Johnstone owner Adam Webb has topped up Craig Levein’s transfer budget and wants to keep striker Adama Sidibeh. (Courier), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

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New St Johnstone owner Adam Webb says he can understand why there may be some concern about his arrival, after nearly four decades of stability under his predecessor Geoff Brown.

The Atlanta based lawyer completed his takeover of the Perth club this week ending Brown's lengthy period of stewardship, and he stressed the experience he will bring to the table.

"I would have trepidation if I was a supporter after 38 years of great ownership and leadership," Webb said.

"I think that is justified so I wouldn’t complain about anyone having some nervousness about us stepping in. On the flip side, I have a better background than many in the sense that I have been very involved with a club over the last four years down in England.

"I was only a 10% owner [at Cambridge United] but you follow things, you are involved in the decision making, so I think I had a good learning base.

"Stan Harris luckily has agreed to stay on as chairman because I will be in America most of the time; I don’t believe at this stage that I should take on the role of chairman when I am abroad most of the time.

"What we have done is a pretty good handover because Geoff has thoroughly vetted me, so I think the fans can take some comfort from that."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

New St Johnstone owner Adam Webb has been speaking to the media after taking over from Geoff Brown.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Webb says he always wanted to take control of a club in Scotland. He also admits Brown was a key factor, as the chance to take over a club that was stable and "not a ticking time bomb".

• Understands fan concerns about an overseas owner taking charge but talked about his background in football, and says Stan Harris will remain as chairman for stability.

• His vision for the future is to make the club a more valuable proposition but insists he wants to keep it on a sustainable path.

• Wants to take the club into the top half of the Premiership and into Europe, as well as regularly competing in domestic cups; he believes all of those are achievable.

• Says he won't throw money at the club but there will be resources going into the club. Adds that the budget for players has gone up; there is a figure in mind but there is wiggle room should good options arise.

• Adds that he has full faith in Craig Levein, was impressed with what he did in the last window and thinks he'll get them playing good attractive football.

St Johnstone have rejected a Swansea City bid for striker Adama Sidibeh. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip

We asked for your views after American lawyer Adam Webb completed his takeover of St Johnstone, ending Geoff Brown's tenure.

Here’s what some of you said:

Craig: He had me at “the car park's getting resurfaced". I cannot wait for the Webb era!

Cameron: The new owner is showing ambition to take the club forward, yet not being overambitious with what he is saying, for example, challenging for the title. We spent a good few season in the top six and won three cups in seven years. There’s no reason why we can't repeat this in the next seven to 10 years.

Paul: The job Brown has done has been nothing short of remarkable but of late the club has been struggling with baffling decisions, missed opportunities and a general malaise setting in. Webb already seems like a breath of fresh air, hopefully he can continue to help us punch above our weight, grow and always be the top team in Tayside.

Ian: It’s a real end of an era to see Brown leave. He's perhaps the most important figure in our entire history. Webb has big shoes to fill but hopefully he'll hit the ground running by sanctioning some exciting signings. Personally I'd like to see us tempt David Marshall out of retirement to fill the gap left by Dimitar Mitov.

Jackie: Webb has big shoes to fill in taking over ownership of St Johnstone from Brown. Brown is as an astute businessman, he kept a tight grip on the purse strings and never put the club into debt. Let’s hope Webb puts money into the club and gets us back into top six and Europe. Come on you Saints.

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St Johnstone have confirmed the signing of Aaron Essel after the Ghana youth international impressed on trial with his "all-round ability".

The versatile 18-year-old, who can play in midfield or defence, has agreed a three-year deal at McDiarmid Park.

Essel, most recently of Bechem United, played for Ghana in the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations and featured as a trialist in a friendly against Arbroath on Saturday.

"Aaron is a young lad who has potential and he has a lot of the required skillsets to be a good player," manager Craig Levein said.

"He trained with us for about 10 days towards the end of last season and did really well. We will see what time brings but he has impressed with his all-round ability."

Teenager Essel added: "I'm very proud and getting the chance to be here is a blessing. I just want to develop and become a key player of the club."