St Johnstone

Jamie Beatson, We are Perth, external

I don’t know if it’s possible to play any worse than we did last Saturday and not lose the game.

This team is going to take time to work, and getting the likes of Chris Kane and Drey Wright up to fitness will be crucial to Saints’ chances going forward.

Kane in particular made a difference when he came on against Dundee - dragging us up the park, retaining possession and winning free-kicks in advanced areas.

There is much room for improvement for sure - the break comes at a good time for us in terms of getting players up to speed and integrating the new signings before our next match, at home to Rangers.

After his late, dramatic heroics in Petth, Max Kucheriavyi had to be in Jonathan Sutherland's team of the week, right?

What a performance from the bench to earn a point.

Image source, Opta

Image source, SNS

Jane Lewis, BBC Scotland

St Johnstone showed "character and belief" to fight back from two down to snatch a draw with Tayside rivals Dundee, says double goalscorer Max Kucheriavyi.

The Ukrainian forward scored twice in the final 14 minutes to claim an unlikely point for the Perth side, who remain without a Premiership win this season after four games.

"The way the game went, I think we appreciate the point in the end," he told BBC Scotland.

"Especially scoring with the last kick of the ball, it makes it really important. I need to praise all the boys because we believed until the end that we might get something.

"It was such a relief to come back from two down because we haven’t done that for some time."

Image source, BBC Sport

A poor performance, but a positive result?

What did you make of the sensational comback against Dundee, Saints fans?

Let us know.

St Johnstone boss Steven MacLean: "First and foremost, I've got to credit my players for fighting all the way to the end. It was a terrific point in the end.

"We knew it was going to be a difficult game. We never got to anywhere near the levels we know we can get to, so to get a point out the game, we're delighted.

"The subs came on and affected the game. Young Max got two goals who I'm delighted for. He's a great lad.

"We're going to get better. We'll keeping working hard and we'll keep improving. You probably won't see the best of this Saints team for a while, but it won't be through a lack of trying.

"It's something to build on. We wanted to win the game. We don't want to draw games especially with Dundee will be in and around us. We look forward to the next game."

Image source, SNS

Sean McGill, BBC Sport Scotland

It seemed as though the hosts could stay out there until the lights came on without threatening Trevor Carson's goal, let alone find the back of the net.

The introduction of the inauspicious Kucheriavyi didn't look like a game changer of paper, but MacLean will beam proudly in the knowledge the 21-year-old sparked the club's best attacking return of the season in just a 14-minute period.

After holding the champions to a goalless draw last week at Parkhead, we knew the Perth side had character. A comeback of this size still seemed out of touch, but now, they must grip games for themselves if they're to climb the table.

Who else? The young Ukranian completely turned the game on its head with his introduction at a time it looked as though Saints would never score.

With goals seemingly at a premium for Steven MacLean's side this season, Kucheriavyi may play a pivotol role in Perth.

Image source, sns

St Johnstone boss Steven MacLean makes two changes to the side that earned a goalless draw at Parkhead last week.

Out go Oludare Olufunwa and Luke Jephcott, with James Brown and Stevie May the replacements. Can May spark Saints to their first league goal of the season?

Deadline day signings Sven Sprangler and Diallang Jayesimi are nowhere to be seen, despite the cracking names.

For the visitors, it's just the one switch made by Tony Docherty as Ricki Lamie makes his Dundee debut.

It's Cammy Kerr who drops to the bench, while Luke McCowan will be hoping to make more magic after his beauty to beat Hearts last time out.

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Image source, sns

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone's injury list has eased slightly, with James Brown, Cammy MacPherson and Chris Kane all having returned to the squad last weekend.

But Nicky Clark, Ali Crawford, Ross Sinclair, Callum Booth, Drey Wright and Tony Gallacher all remain unavailable.

New midfield loan signings - Coventry City's Ryan Howley and Burnley's Marcel Lewis - could make their Dundee debuts while defender Tyler French stepped up his comeback with a reserve outing.

But Antonio Portales and Aaron Donnelly remain out.

St Johnstone have announced the signing of Diallang Jaiyesimi on a season-long loan deal from Charlton Athletic.

The 25-year-old has made 64 appearances for Charlton since signing in 2021, and spent the second half of last season on loan at AFC Wimbledon.

He becomes St Johnstone's second deadline day arrival, joining midfielder Sven Sprangler.

"Diallang is another great addition for us," manager Steven MacLean said.

"He will provide us with an extra option for our wide play. "He is fast and loves being direct."

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone have announced the signing of midfielder Sven Sprangler on a two-year deal.

The 28-year-old was released earlier this year by Austrian side SK Vorwärts Steyr.

"Sven is a great addition to our squad," Steven MacLean said. "He has come in on trial and impressed everyone.

"Sven is a strong midfielder who likes a tackle but can also get on the ball and play at the same time."

Defender Luke Robinson is full of confidence after he helped St Johnstone draw 0-0 with Celtic on his debut for the club.

Robinson signed on loan from Wigan last week, and was thrown straight in at the deep end against the defending champions.

“There was obviously going to be nerves with my first game coming against Celtic, but the gaffer was brilliant with me," Robinson said. "He spoke to me quite early in the week and told me I might be involved, which doesn’t usually happen.

“Celtic away is one of the toughest fixtures in the league so to have that as your first game is obviously daunting for anybody. To come away with a clean sheet, especially as a defender, gives you so much confidence.

“It was very physical but it’s also very mentally demanding against Celtic. You need a lot of focus going into the game, their players are moving quickly, you’ve got to be switched on.

“That will help me when I go back to Wigan and also in other games like Rangers away, Hearts away. All the games here will be very tough.

“Everyone wants to play first-team football and that opportunity was here,” he added.

“Saturday was the first of my achievements in terms of playing in front of a big crowd and getting that type of experience under my belt, which is what you look for when you go on loan.

“I really want to push and help the team get as high up the league as possible and not fear anybody.

“I like to think I’m a hard worker, which should be a given for any player. I pride myself on defending, I get frustrated if we lose a goal or if we’re not strong defensively."

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean has told Callum Booth, Ali Crawford and Ryan McGowan they can leave the club. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip

• As well as being the only team yet to score in the Scottish Premiership this season, St Johnstone have had the fewest touches in the opposition box (44), the fewest penalty area entries (72) and completed the fewest passes (443) of any side.

• Dundee are winless in their last seven away matches in the Scottish Premiership (D2 L5), losing each of their last four on the road.

• St. Johnstone are unbeaten in their last 13 home league games against promoted opposition (W6 D7) since losing 1-2 to Rangers in May 2017.

• Dundee are unbeaten in their last three league meetings with St. Johnstone (W1 D2), although both of the last two have been drawn.

• St. Johnstone have only lost one of their last 10 Scottish Premiership home games against Dundee (W7 D2), a 0-2 reverse in December 2017 under Tommy Wright.

Steven MacLean has backed Sven Sprangler to bring "steel" to St Johnstone's midfield if the club succeed in securing a work permit for the Austrian.

Sprangler is a free agent after a spell with Vorwarts Steyr in Austria's second tier. He previously spent four years with top-flight outfit Wolfsberger.

"Fingers crossed that can get done," said Saints boss MacLean. "We have a meeting tomorrow with the SFA so hopefully that goes well and we’ll try and progress things as quick as we can. We’ve got to get through the red tape.

“He’s got good pedigree. He’s a good age, 28. He had an injury last season so didn’t play much but he’s a good player, aggressive, he likes to win the ball back, he’s disciplined and good on the ball too.

"He’ll bring steel to the midfield and allow others to do what I want as well."

Image source, getty

Steven MacLean has been speaking to the media before St Johnstone face Dundee in the Premiership this weekend.

Here are the key points from the Saints boss:

• MacLean hopes the draw away to Celtic that halted Saints’ winless start will be “very significant”.

• He adds: “It’s crucial we build on that and don’t go back to our bad old ways”.

• Eight new players featured – three making their debut – against Celtic and McLean says the whole team “took on board” what they were asked to do: “It’s a good sign moving forward because it’s something I’ve not been happy with of late.”

• The point is “just a start” and Saints have to kick on now and keep improving.

• Dundee have had a good start to the season and MacLean knows opposite number Tony Docherty well, adding: “It’s a derby, a big game, and one we want to stamp our authority on.”

• The club have to get through red tape to complete the signing of Austrian midfielder Sven Sprangler, who featured in bounce game on Tuesday night.

• On whether there will be further incomings aside from Sprangler: “Not sure. We’re working on a couple of things. I would like to bring one or two others in but don’t want the squad to be bloated as well. We’ll see what happens.”

• MacLean confirmed Dan Phillips will continue as stand-in skipper whenever club captain Liam Gordon doesn’t play.

Image source, sns

Time is quickly running out, with the transfer window slamming shut on Friday at 23:30 BST.

Where does your team still need to strengthen?

Tell us your dream deadline day here.

After disappointing start to the season, does last weekend's draw at Celtic mark a turning point for St Johnstone?

Next up is the visit of Dundee for a Tayside derby on Saturday. Put yourself in Steven MacLean's shoes and choose your starting XI here.

Jamie Beatson, We are Perth, external

That was more like a St Johnstone performance.

Defensively solid, backed up by a goalkeeper in superb form - we even managed to carve out a couple of good chances as the game at Celtic Park wore on.

It’s a platform to build on - we need to show the same resilience when Dundee come calling this weekend but add more of an attacking threat.

The new additions look to have a bit of promise - there is some pace there and they appear comfortable on the ball.

The biggest issue so far is that after three games we’re yet to put the ball in the net, that has to change on Saturday.

St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean wants to sign Australian midfielder "destroyer" Sven Sprangler, who is a free agent. (Courier), external

Read all of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, BBC Sport