St Johnstone

Rangers' trip to relegation-battling St Johnstone has been moved for television coverage.

Craig Levein's side will now host the Ibrox club at McDiarmid Park on Sunday 18 February at 12 noon, live on Sky Sports.

It will mark Philippe Clement's first visit to Perth, with his predecessor Michael Beale overseeing victory in September's clash between the teams, courtesy of goals from Danilo and Rabbi Matondo.

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We asked which areas you would like St Johnstone to strengthen in the January transfer window, here’s what some of you said:

Anon: The right-back position is not well covered. A creative midfielder and fast wide player are required.

Gordon: We need some pace in the team and an attacking midfielder.

Stuart: We desperately need a striker or two who can score more than three goals a season! We are becoming known as St Johnstone-nil. General play in all other areas is looking great but as with the last few seasons the inability to score is holding us back near the league's trapdoor. Long overdue a revamp of the front line.

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St Johnstone have announced the signing of Scotland youth international Kerr Smith on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season.

Smith came through Dundee United's academy, and made 12 first-team appearances before signing for Villa in 2022.

St Johnstone have announced the signing of Swedish striker Benjamin Kimpioka from AIK on an 18-month contract.

The 23-year-old previously spent time at English club Sunderland, and is a Sweden under-21 international.

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Dundee have announced the loan signing of Burnley winger Dara Costelloe until the end of the season.

Costelloe spent the first six months of this season on loan at fellow Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone, scoring one goal in 12 appearances.

The 21-year-old was recalled by Burnley when the January transfer window opened, before immediately heading to Dens Park.

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St Johnstone hope to sign Aston Villa defender Kerr Smith on loan before Tuesday's visit to face Dundee. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip

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Daniel Phillips of St Johnstone made more tackles than anyone else in the Scottish Premiership in 2023.

The combative Trinidad & Tobago international midfielder only played 33 matches in the calendar year but crunched into an average of three tackles in each of them.

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It might not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but how did your club fare in the 2023 Premiership table?

The disparity in the number of matches played in the calendar year makes a difference, obviously - we're looking at you Rangers, Aberdeen and especially Dundee.

But it still gives a decent barometer of who had a decent year and who didn't fare quite so well.

Wigan Athletic have recalled left-back Luke Robinson from his loan spell at St Johnstone.

The 22-year-old defender made 18 appearances since signing in the summer.

“I want to thank the St Johnstone fans for their support during my time here," said Robinson.

"It never went unnoticed and I wish the club all the best for the future."

Former Dundee United defender Kerr Smith is heading to St Johnstone on loan from Aston Villa and could be in the Saints squad for Tuesday's game with Dundee at Dens Park. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Sunday's gossip.

It feels like some time ago that Steven MacLean became the first managerial casualty of the Premiership season.

His successor was a shock to many but - despite a recent slump in form - Craig Levein's arrival in Perth has lifted St Johnstone out of the relegation places.

With Levein now having taken charge of 10 league games, BBC Sport Scotland takes a look at how the veteran boss' record compares to MacLean's nine at the start of the campaign.

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January will give Craig Levein his first opportunity to bring in his own players as Saints manager.

Which areas would you like to see him strengthen and are there any names you'd like to see arrive in Perth?

Let us know.

Jonathan Sutherland, Sportscene presenter

Dan Phillips gives St Johnstone a composed presence in the middle of the park, and earns a place in the team of the week after his performance against Livingston.

• St Johnstone have failed to win in their last three games in the Scottish Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from August to October 2023, a run of nine games.

• St Johnstone have failed to score in 10 of their 20 games, only Livingston (12) have failed to score more often in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• St Johnstone have failed to score a first-half goal in 16 of their 20 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the top flight this season.

Dan Phillips. The St Johnstone man was calm and assured in the midfield maelstrom.

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Another point earned by Craig Levein as St Johnstone manager.

This was a pretty tepid affair, although the visitors did have a goal disallowed.

What have you made of your team's start to life under the former Scotland boss?

Let us know here.

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein told BBC Radio Scotland: "Our performance probably didn't merit a win and I think Davie Martindale might say the same.

""It was two fairly nervous teams slugging it out. The result was safe football and generally safe football isn't that entertaining.

There are things we'd like to add in January. It's difficult, there's also this thing about keeping the wage bill under control. We need to move some players out as well. There might be a fair bit of activity."

Toothless attack has been the story of Livingston and St Johnstone's seasons, with neither scoring a first-half goal in 17 of their games this season.

Craig Levein continues to steadily improve his team's form, taking three wins and two draws from his first nine games at the helm.

They struggled at times to deal with Livingston's aerial threats, but had chances of their own which could, perhaps should, have been turned into goals.

After falling short against Kilmarnock on Saturday, St Johnstone's line-up shows four changes tonight.

The fit-again Nicky Clark makes his first start since 11 November, and spearheads the forward line with Stevie May. Oludare Olufunwa and James Brown are also given starts by Craig Levein.

Veteran Ryan McGowan and teenager Fran Franczak drop out through illness, while Chris Kane and Graham Carey are on the bench.

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Livingston: George, Nottingham, Devlin (c), Obileye, Penrice, Pittman, Holt, Shinnie, Nouble, Anderson, Guthrie.

Substitutes: Hamilton, Montano, Kelly, Brandon, Bradley, Sangare, De Lucas, Lawal, Ledingham.

St Johnstone: Mitov, Brown, Olufunwa, Gordon (c), Gallacher, Robinson, Phillips, Smith, Kucheriayvi, May, Clark.

Substitutes: Richards, Considine, Kane, Carey, Jephcott, Sprangler, Turner-Cook, Costelloe.