St Johnstone

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland

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With just five games of the Scottish Premiership season to go, St Johnstone lie precariously close to the relegation play-off spot.

Craig Levein's side sit just one point above 11th-placed Ross County, who despite troubles on the road, have gone undefeated in their last five home outings to narrow the gap in the basement battle.

Livingston will need to win more games than they have all season to beat the automatic drop, meaning the dreaded play-off position is of the most concern to the Perth outfit.

Only David Martindale's bottom side have scored fewer goals in the league this season than St Johnstone, their tally of 24 standing at eight fewer than County.

That's despite seemingly making dangerous acquisitions in the form of Benjamin Kimpioka and Adama Sidibeh, with both strikers showing flashes of menace and lethality during their time at McDiarmid Park.

A lack of creativity could be the answer as an over-reliance on 34-year-old Graham Carey to provide a spark catches up on them. The veteran has eight Premiership assists, five more than next-best Matt Smith, but has struggled to stay fit and carry the side on his back consistently.

Home comforts looked as though they'd be key to the Saints' survival bid, only losing two of their eight league games at McDiarmid Park following the departure of Steven MacLean in October.

But Levein's men haven't won a home game since beating Hibs in December, with their last three victories coming on their travels.

They'll be looking to repeat the trick when the capital club head north on Saturday, before attempting to suck Aberdeen into the fight when they go to Pittodrie the week after.

At this crucial juncture in the season, it's less about where the points points come, as long as they come. If not, there's three hungry Championship teams who will happily pounce to end St Johnstone's 15-year stay in the top flight.

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St Johnstone's teenage duo Jackson Mylchreest and Joe Ellison played their parts in Berwick Rangers' Lowland League win over Albion Rovers, with the former netting after just 10 seconds.

Both just 17-years-old, Mylchreest scored instantly on the rebound before Ellison added a second in Saturday's 2-1 victory.

Mylchreest spent the first part of the season on loan at Tranent, and the teenager is seeing the benefit of his loan experiences.

"As soon as I went [to Berwick], I played straight away," he said. "That gave me the confidence to go and help the team.

"It is more physical and you need to deal with that side of the game. There are a lot of boys who have played at a high level now dropping down to play in the Lowland League.

"And, on the other hand, you have the younger boys trying to make an impression. The whole experience has been a good one."

We asked you which of St Johnstone's out-of-contract players you're keen to keep at McDiarmid Park beyond the summer.

Here are some of your views:

Anon: I think we are the point now where we need to stop being so nice to players. If you’ve not performed, you don’t get a contract - simple as that. Way too many passengers the last few seasons. I’d much rather see us take a chance on someone from the lower leagues (Adama Sidibeh a good example) rather than keeping the same deadwood.

Gus: There will clearly be a massive outflux with the biggest earners all departing. Of the players mentioned, I expect only Liam Gordon to be offered terms. Next season we shall be relying on our younger players no matter in which division we find ourselves.

Russell: Drey Wright, Dan Philips, Ryan McGowan - punt them extra money to keep them. I believe they give us far better return than hanging on to players that are not of Premiership standard, continuing to pay their wages.

Willie: The team requires a complete overhaul, we have been a Championship team for the last three seasons. Not good enough - goalkeeper aside - in every department. This can’t be fixed in one season. We used to be very good at picking up impact players, not any more. The attacking third has been none existent and watching Saints is painful.

With several players out of contract in the summer, clubs up and down the country are considering who they want to be involved next season.

St Johnstone have more players set for departure than anyone else in the league, with Dan Phillips already to leave McDiarmid Park.

Other notable names on the list include Graham Carey, Ryan McGowan, Liam Gordon, James Brown, Chris Kane, Cammy MacPherson, Drey Wright and Cammy Ballantyne.

Who would you like to keep, and who would you be happy to wave goodbye to?

Let us know.

St Johnstone have three away trips in their five post-split fixtures as they look to secure Premiership survival.

The Perth side host second-bottom Ross County in a crucial contest on Wednesday, 15 May before ending the season four days later at Motherwell.

St Johnstone's post-split fixtures (All times BST):

• Hibs (H) Saturday, 27 April 15:00

• Aberdeen (A) Saturday, 4 May 15:00

• Livingston (A) Saturday, 11 May 15:00

• Ross County (H) Wednesday, 15 May 19:45

• Motherwell (A) Sunday, 19 May 15:00

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Sam Miller
Fan writer

What a difference a week makes!

After two satisfactory performances against Dundee and Hibernian, Saturday's game against Kilmarnock seemed like the opportunity to open up a seven-point gap on Ross County.

By lunchtime Sunday, we found ourselves right back in the mixer with just one point seperating the two teams.

The performance against Kilmarnock was lacklustre at best. I completely understand that Killie are having a great season and deserve to be sitting fourth in the table.

Under most circumstances, I can accept the loss but it was the manner of the defeat that didn't sit well with me.

Apart from a small spell at the start of the second half, St Johnstone did not look like a team fighting for their Premiership lives. Defending any kind of crosses in the box still seems to be an ongoing issue.

We have five games left to secure our 16th consecutive top-flight season and it's time for the players to turn up and get us over the line - and quickly.

Sam Miller can be found on the Dogger Saints podcast, external

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein insists he has not been spooked by Ross County's shock victory against Rangers that has moved the Staggies a point behind Saints. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Tuesday's gossip.

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Rangers' away fixture with Dundee will be held at St Johnstone's McDiarmid Park if the Dens Park pitch is again deemed unplayable.

The SPFL confirmed its contingency plans for Wednesday's meeting after two previous call-offs for issues with Dundee's surface.

A pitch inspection will be carried out by the match official on Tuesday morning, with a decision on the venue to be made later that day.

A statement read: "The SPFL has appointed an experienced pitch consultancy, which is regularly used by UEFA and other sporting bodies, to report back to the league with guidance on the condition of the pitch in advance of Wednesday’s match.

"Dundee were also informed on Thursday that they must provide the pitch consultants, SPFL and Rangers with daily updates on the playing surface and weather forecast, and immediately report any concerns regarding Wednesday’s match being played at Dens Park.

"It has further been agreed that the match official will carry out an inspection of the playing surface on the morning of Tuesday, April 16, after which, taking weather forecasts into account, a final decision will be taken on whether to play the game at Dens Park.

"If the game cannot be played at Dens Park, the SPFL has confirmed that it will be moved to St Johnstone’s McDiarmid Park on Wednesday, April 17, with Dundee making arrangements for fans of both teams to attend. If the game requires to be moved to McDiarmid Park, it will still be categorised as a Dundee FC ‘home game’.

"The SPFL is grateful for the assistance of St Johnstone and will make a further announcement tomorrow."

Pat Nevin and Richard Foster join Liam McLeod to pick over the bones of another incredible weekend of Scottish football drama.

They look back on Ross County’s historic victory over Rangers and discuss what impact it could have at both ends of the table.

They also assess the jobs done by Tony Docherty and Nick Montgomery as Dundee secure their place in the top 6 at the expense of Hibs and Motherwell.

Listen to today's episode of the Scottish Football Podcast here.

St Johnstone's McDiarmid Park will host Dundee's game against Rangers if Dens Park fails another pitch inspection. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

We asked for your thoughts after St Johnstone lost 2-0 at home to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Jackie: Saints were second best. I don’t think I’ll ever understand Craig Levein’s formation or tactics. Does he not trust his subs? We’re down 2-0 and he decides to bring on three subs in the last five minutes. It’s going to be between us and Ross County in the play-off spot. If it’s us we are going down. Levein has done nothing for us since he took over.

Gordon: Levein and Andy Kirk lack the skills required to motivate the team, and the players yet again showed no passion, no belief, no bottle or even a hint of composure. More backward passes than forward, players desperate to get rid of the ball as soon as they get it. 24 goals in 33 games is a disgrace. We are in deep trouble.

Euan: Far too predictable, narrow and naive. Levein keeping Graham Carey - our most creative player - on the bench and leaving it too late to bring on Benjamin Kimpioka up front. The persistence of playing five at the back with wing-backs that can’t attack is ludicrous. Kilmarnock played like a Saints team of old: solid, well organised, and physical. Deserved the win.