St Johnstone

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Striker Nicky Clark says he is "raring to go" for St Johnstone's trip to Livingston, and wants to "help the team out" with an extended run in the side.

The 32-year-old has struggled with injury problems this season, but still leads the Saints' scoring charts with four goals, and bagged in the 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock last time out.

“It was frustrating for me, coming back, scoring a couple of goals feeling good and when that happens it is another setback," Clark said.

“But as I say, I have worked really hard, I have got myself back to a good level now and so it is all about getting minutes on the pitch.

“I got 30 or something against Kilmarnock so I am feeling good and raring to go on Wednesday night.

“I feel fine. Obviously I managed to get a few weeks’ training this time.

“It has been frustrating for me, coming back after a long time and I think it was four games in two weeks and it caught up with me and I had another wee injury (against Ross County). But as I said I have had a few weeks training and I am feeling good.

“We have not rushed it. I spoken to the manager and Kirky (assistant manager Andy Kirk) about that.

“I have made sure I have been proper ready to go this time. I am feeling good so hopefully I can help the team out now.”

St Johnstone midfielder Cammy MacPherson could be out for the rest of the season after an operation to address a thigh injury. (Courier), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

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Livingston's Tom Parkes is a major doubt after going off with a head injury at Celtic Park on Saturday, but fellow centre-back Michael Devlin returns from suspension.

St Johnstone winger Diallang Jaiyesimi serves the second game of a two-match suspension.

Defenders Callum Booth and Sam McClelland are back training, while midfielder Ali Crawford is improving, but Drey Wright remains a long-term absentee.

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• Livingston won both of their two home games against St Johnstone last season without conceding (1-0 in October, 2-0 in April).

• St Johnstone have kept just one clean sheet in 10 previous top-flight visits to Livingston, doing so in October 2018 via a 1-0 win.

• Livingston have picked up fewer points at home in the Scottish Premiership this season than any other side (six), winning just one of eight such matches (D3 L4).

• St Johnstone haven’t won their final league game of any of the last four calendar years (D2 L2) since a 2-0 win at Dundee in 2018. They have lost their final game in both of the last two calendar years.

• St Johnstone boss Craig Levein’s last top-flight win over Livingston came in February 2004 with Hearts (3-2); he is since winless in six such meetings, although five were drawn (L1).

After two defeats on the bounce, St Johnstone will be looking to get back to winning ways against bottom side Livingston - who are without a win in 10 games.

Who would you pick to start?

Tell us here.

• St. Johnstone have failed to score a first-half goal in 15 of their 19 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Nicky Clark has now scored three goals in seven appearances in the Scottish Premiership against Kilmarnock.

• Matt Smith has assisted two goals this season (one in this game), no St. Johnstone player has more in the Scottish Premiership.

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St Johnstone boss Craig Levein told BBC Scotland: "I don't know what happened the first 20 minutes. I haven't seen that from this bunch of players since I arrived so it was most surprising.

"We seemed to decide to start playing after the second goal went in and I was pleased with what we did after that. I'm just mystified why we didn't turn up in the first 20 minutes.

"We had hope we could get back in. We started to pass, have some dominance, play in their half. By half-time, things had turned and it was about making sure we continued to play that way.

"There are some good things. Nicky comes back in and scores. He'll be significant for us, looking forward. He knows the league, he's a proven goal-scorer, he has a good football brain.

"I felt we deserved to get something out of the game. It would have been a fantastic fightback and more evidence we're on the right track. Killie are good at managing the game and seeing it out. We did a lot of good things today but didn't get the points."

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Not to be in the end, despite that late barrage. Were you worried early on? Were you encouraged by the attempted fightback?

And just how well have Craig Levein and Andy Kirk done in their spell in charge so far?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Andrew Petrie, BBC Sport Scotland

After the first half hour, it was hard to believe this was a victory that Kilmarnock fought tooth and nail for. They had threatened to completely blow St Johnstone away, but they gave the visitors just a sliver of hope by continuing to pass up chances for a third.

As poor as the Saints were in the opening half hour, there were moments of encouragement. Max Kucheriavyi impressed, as did Dan Phillips - although the midfielder has a habit of being caught in possession.

Nicky Clark was the spark of inspiration. His return saw confidence restored to the St Johnstone front line, and also brought about a goal, but they couldn't find the vital second.

The goals they conceded, particularly the second, were simply too soft and they have to toughen up at the back if they're to keep themselves out of danger.

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Nicky Clark. Talk about an instant impact. The St Johnstone front line looked devoid of ideas until he was welcomed back onto the pitch.

If he can start more games, he should fire in more goals to keep the Saintees safe.

Kilmarnock XI: Dennis, Mayo, Findlay, Deas, Ndaba, Armstrong, Polworth, Watson, Lyons, Watkins, Vassell.

Substitutes: O'Hara, Wright, McKenzie, Sanders, Davies, Dallas, Warnock, Brown, Mackay-Steven.

St Johnstone XI: Mitov, Franczak, McGowan, Gordon, Robinson, Gallacher, Phillips, Smith, Carey, Kucheriavyi, Kane.

Substitutes: Richards, Brown, Considine, May, Clark, Olufunwa, Sprangler, Turner-Cooke, Costelloe.

Kilmarnock midfielder Kyle Magennis suffered a recurrence of a hamstring problem against Livingston last week and will see a specialist. Joe Wright is back in training but Liam Donnelly and Innes Cameron (both hamstring) are still out, while boss Derek McInnes hopes Matty Kennedy recovers from a bump. Marley Watkins and Danny Armstrong are fit after picking up knocks against Livi.

Nicky Clark is set to make his comeback from a calf injury for Saints, for whom Diallang Jaiyesimi drops out through suspension. Callum Booth and Sam McClelland are back training while Ali Crawford (calf) is improving but Drey Wright (knee) is a long-term absentee.

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St Johnstone manager Craig Levein is relishing having Nicky Clark back in the fold for Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash with Kilmarnock, as the striker returns from a calf injury.

Clark is St Johnstone's top scorer in the league this season with three, despite only playing four games.

“Nicky has had another two or three training sessions under his belt and I am fairly certain we will see him on the pitch for the first time," Levein said. "He has been doing well in training and looking lively.”

Diallang Jaiyesimi is suspended following his red card in the midweek defeat by Rangers but Clark’s return gives Levein attacking options alongside Chris Kane, Stevie May and Luke Jephcott.

“They are all good at different things,” Levein said. “We probably missed Nicky the most because of his goals, his experience and his general all-round play.

“He is a very astute and clever player and we missed that. I am really pleased I will be able to have him in the team or the bench whatever way we decide to go.”

Ninth-placed St Johnstone travel to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock on Saturday and will be hoping to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat against Rangers on Wednesday.

Put yourself in Craig Levein’s shoes and pick your starting XI here.

• Kilmarnock have won just one of their last 10 league meetings with St Johnstone (D2 L7), a 2-1 victory in October 2022.

• Since losing three successive league trips to Kilmarnock from March 2018 to April 2019, St Johnstone have only lost one of their last six (W3 D2).

• Kilmarnock have won four of their last five home Scottish Premiership matches, as many as they managed in their previous 11 at Rugby Park.

• St Johnstone have only won their final league game before Christmas in one of the previous seven years (D2 L4), although that victory did come in their final one last year (1-0 v Hibernian).

• Kilmarnock’s Derek McInnes has won his last four Premiership home games against St Johnstone’s Craig Levein since a 0-0 draw with Aberdeen against Hearts in December 2017. Levein’s last top-flight away win over a McInnes side was in September 2009, when his Dundee United team beat McInnes’ St Johnstone 3-2.

Former St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson says 16-year-old Fran Franczak was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing night at Ibrox.

Saints lost 2-0 to Rangers - with Diallang Jaiyesimi red-carded just after the half hour with his side a goal down - but young midfielder Franczak turned in an encouraging performance on just his second start.

“He showed his composure, he’s got ability, he’s got power, he’s got a bit of strength about him to come here," said Davidson on the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast.

"He wasn’t fazed by the crowd, it’s probably the first time he’s played anything near as big as this, all credit to him.

“Craig Levein has experience when it comes to that, he will know how to handle him, he will know when to put him in games, when to take him out.

"It’s a bright future for young Fran, he’s got to keep learning. This is not him getting into the first team, he’s got to aim bigger and hopefully we can see a steadied development with him."

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