St Johnstone

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Goalkeeper Jack Wills has agreed a permanent contract with Queen's Park - despite failing to make a first-team appearance while on loan at the end of last season - after being released by St Johnstone.

But head coach Callum Davidson hopes the 21-year-old, who has signed a two-year contract, will challenge Calum Ferrie, four years his senior, for a starting place.

"Jack impressed everyone during his time here," the former Saints manager told the Queen's Park website.

Jack, who previously had loans with Edinburgh University and Brechin City, helped Queen's Park win the reserve league.

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Adama Sidibeh continued his recent swift rise up the football ladder as the St Johnstone striker was handed his first start for Gambia in their 3-2 World Cup qualifying defeat away to Gabon in Franceville.

The 25-year-old striker, who joined the Scottish Premiership club in February from Warrington Rylands in England's Northern Premier, made his debut - and scored - as a late substitute in Saturday's 5-1 win at home to Seychelles.

That garnered Gambia's first points of their group-stage campaign and the latest defeat for the side managed by Northern Irishman Johnny McKinstry means they lie second bottom, with Gabon a point behind leaders Ivory Coast.

St Johnstone have not had any enquiries for striker Adama Sidibeh or goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov despite reported interest in the pair. (The Courier), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Representatives from Celtic, Hibernian and Ross County feature on the SPFL board for the 2024-25 season.

County director James MacDonald, Hibs non-executive chairman Malcolm McPherson and Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson make up the Premiership contingent.

Paul Hetherington (Airdrieonians) and Graeme Mathie (Ayr United) will represent the Championship, while Andrew Allan (Alloa Athletic) and Allan Maitland (Clyde) have been elected for League 1 and 2.

In a statement, the SPFL say clubs also "voted unanimously" to approve a recommendation that a new Ifab protocol for permanent concussion substitutes is used across all SPFL competitions.

"Each team will be allowed one concussion substitute per match in addition to the normal number of substitutes and substitution opportunities," they say.

"If that concussion substitute is used, the other team is allowed an additional substitute."

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St Johnstone have announced the signing of goalkeeper Josh Rae on a two-year contract.

The 23-year-old came through the Celtic and Leeds United academies, and has spent the last two seasons with Airdrieonians, where he won the SPFL Trust Trophy.

"It’s been a dream to play in the Premiership and hopefully I can play as many games as possible," Rae said.

"My main aim is to do well for this club and help us move forward. At every level, I’ve tried to do my best and work my way up. I now feel ready to take on this challenge."

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St Johnstone winger Drey Wright has signed a one-year new contract at the Perthshire club.

The 29-year-old was due to leave this summer but will now stay at McDiarmid Park after helping to keep Craig Levein's side in the Premiership.

Injury limited Wright's game time for most of the season but the ex-Hibs winger returned for the post-split fixtures, starting frequently at right-back.

He now enters his fifth season at the club, having made almost 100 appearances. He told club media: "I’m really happy to get things sorted here and I am looking forward to making up for some lost time.

"I think I was improving with every game towards the end of the season and thankfully I was able to help get the job done.

"Hopefully now, with a full pre-season, the improvement can continue and I can contribute a lot more in the upcoming season.

"Pre-season will be hard graft as ever but that is needed to give ourselves the best chance of success in the cup games and in the league.

"I enjoy coming in every day and I’ve made a lot of friends. After some really positive discussions with the manager and Andy Kirk, I’m really looking forward to my next year here."

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Swansea City are considering a £500,000 move for St Johnstone forward Adama Sidibeh. (Sun), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Adama Sidibeh scored on his international debut as The Gambia routed Seychelles 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier.

The St Johnstone striker was introduced in the 67th minute of the Group F clash, finding the back of the net just 11 minutes later.

Victory hands Gambia their first three points of the campaign after three games, having endured narrow defeats to Cameroon and Guinea.

Sidibeh scored five goals in 15 Saints appearances after arriving from English seventh-tier side Warrington Rylands in January.

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The results are in. And they may be a surprise.

We asked you to cast your vote on whether the Scottish Premiership should keep VAR or scrap it.

More than 3,000 of you responded to the poll - and while there was a clear majority, it was no landslide.

Those in favour of ditching VAR totalled 67% of voters, while 33% were in favour of favour of keeping it.

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Most St Johnstone fans would credit Graham Carey's creativity in helping the club stave off relegation last season, and the stats highlight just how crucial the 35-year-old was.

In addition to his nine assists, he created 61 chances - the sixth most in the division - and completed 34 dribbles, only behind Dan Phillips in the St Johnstone squad.

The Perth side struggled for possession throughout last season, making those attacking numbers even more impressive, but Carey also mucked in defensively, winning back possession 226 times.

His all-round contribution explains just why his deal has been extended by a year as Craig Levein looks to squeeze yet more out of the veteran winger.

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Graham Carey has signed a one-year deal to stay with St Johnstone next season after playing a key role in the club's successful Premiership survival battle.

The midfielder, 35, will remain in Perth for a third campaign and aims to pass on his vast experience from a career that started at Celtic and includes spells at St Mirren, Plymouth Argyle and CSKA Sofia.

"I’m really happy to sign with the club again," said Carey. "I’m one of the more experienced players now and I’m hoping that can rub off on some of the younger guys.

"We want to be better than we were last season and get back to pushing further up the table."

Manager Craig Levein said: “Everyone knows Graham’s quality and I am sure he will continue to show this while pitching in with assists and goals next season."

The Scottish Professional Football League has ordered Dundee to pay St Johnstone £15,000 after ruling on whether the Perth club should be paid for the costs associated with McDiarmid Park being the back-up "home" venue for the Dark Blues’ Premiership game against Rangers in April. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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BBC Scotland will continue to broadcast live matches and highlights from the Scottish Cup for another five years.

The new deal extends the BBC's arrangement of showing a game from each round - up to and including the final - on a free-to-air platform.

The contract also allows the broadcaster to produce "near live digital highlights".

The Scottish Youth Cup final will also be shown live for the next five years.

• Read the full story

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Controversy and VAR have been intertwined ever since its implementation in the Scottish top flight in October 2022.

From handball decisions to fouls and penalties, managers and fans alike have had grievances over the technology - and the length of time taken for decisions to be made.

With the 2023-24 season complete and the new campaign a number of weeks away, would you rather see VAR scrapped from Scottish football or persevered with?

Cast your vote here.