Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
Daniel Balodis: A huge win for St Johnstone against Ross County, keeping that flicker of hope they can escape the drop alive. The goal from the Latvian defender could be crucial.
Elliot Watt: An assist and a winner. May have etched his name into St Johnstone folklore if they manage to pull off the great escape.
'Valakari won't be bothered by the missed chances'
Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart dissects St Johnstone's abundance of chances in the vital win over Ross County. (Available to UK users only)
Watch highlights as St Johnstone keep their survival hopes alive by inflicting a seventh straight defeat on Ross County. (Available to UK users only)
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSMidfielder Elliot Watt believes the "do or die" 2-1 victory over Ross County shows St Johnstone possess the character retain their Premiership status.
Defeat against the Dingwall side would have confirmed automatic relegation to the Championship but Daniels Balodis' first-half header and Watt's second half winner reduced the gap on Don Cowie's side to just three points with two games remaining.
"Our character has been questioned a few times and rightly so," Watt told BBC Scotland.
"I've been in the changing room for three or four months now and I've never once seen the lads heads drop or anybody throw a towel in or give up.
"Everybody's fighting and everybody wants to get the club out of this situation.
"Today was do or die and we've shown an enormous amount of mental strength to get over the line."
St Johnstone's next step is a trip to face managerless Hearts on Wednesday. Watt's winner delivers fresh hope that they can produce an unlikely escape and finish the season off bottom place.
"People are doubting us, but it's all irrelevant," he said.
"It's all outside noise. As long as we know within the the changing room that we can get out of this situation.
"I said it to to a couple of lads during the week that if we can just win, the belief that gives us going into Wednesday, it's enormous.
"It gives us a confidence that we probably haven't had for a while. We can't get too carried away. This means nothing today if we don't go back it up at Hearts with a result."
We asked for your views on St Johnstone's 2-1 win against Ross County.
Here's what some of you said:
Ellie: One of the most stressful matches I have sat through as a Saints fan (especially the VAR check, one of a slim amount to go our way this season) but a well deserved win - Elliot Watt and Josh McPake were outstanding. Let's hope we can take this form through to the end of the season as our job is far from done.
Jimmy: We had numerous chances to score, reason being we didn't. Could be 'match rustiness'? The chance County had, they took well and deserved it. We didn't let our heads down, we knew what we had to do. We did get lucky with the disallowed County goal. Defence frailties are still there, but I still have faith in the players we have. Hopefully, we can get a defender that's fit enough for the run in.
Robin: It's always the hope that gets you! A good performance, but without someone taking these clear chances it is just prolonging the life support. It is not nice wanting Dundee to win a game, as we now need them to on Wednesday, but it's better that than being without hope.
Linsey: Much better, but cant help feeling it's come too late, finally saw a bit of wing work by McPake which we are badly needing as a team. We need to actually start using all of the pitch and open up our game at home. All the players played for the badge for once, they can pull off the great escape and leave everyone else in this league scratching their heads and saying 'how on earth did those jammy farmers from Perth manage that one?'
Dunc: Saints were up for the battle, but they were all mostly playing for their futures in the Championship. Not sure who should be retained, or want to go. We are gone, but if we recruit well we might not be down too long. That could though, be wishful thinking!
Image source, SNSRoss County have lost their past seven games in the Premiership, their last joint longest losing streak was from 10 August 2014 to 20 September 2014.
Joshua McPake has assisted three goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no St Johnstone player has more.
Zach Ashworth received a red card - Ross County's third sending off in the Premiership this season, and their first since 19 October 2024 against St Johnstone.
Adama Sidibeh attempted five shots, the first time he has attempted at least five shots in a match in the Premiership since facing Dundee on 1 March 2025 (five shots).
Saints fans, were you at McDiarmid Park on Saturday or following the action from home? Either way we want your views of that dramatic 2-1 victory over Ross County. What did you make of the performance? How are you feeling about your chance of Premiership survival?
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone manager Simo Valakari tells BBC Scotland: "We needed to win, we did it and of course you can see some nervy moments in our game.
"I thought we started the game very well but we let the opponent get back into the match. When we are in those moments it affects you but huge credit to the players for how they worked their way back in, got the second goal and then how we defended in the end.
"The boys gave everything, one moment with VAR it went for us, it's been a long season sometimes these things go against you. But today was a solid performance, we needed to win and now the fight continues.
"We play, we perform, we create chances but we are not taking them and the opponent will punish us, that's why we are in the position we are in.
"But the message to the team is that we just need to keep going, not let the heads go down because we can create the chances and the boys did it.
"It would have made everyone's life much easier if we'd taken those chances but that's football and that's why we love it.
"In difficult moments we have been pushing. the work rate has been very good, we know it will be a difficult game on Wednesday but we have no other option than to go there and try to perform. It's a big challenge but at the same time it's a big opportunity."
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSThe pressure on St Johnstone to win was enormous given the gap to Ross County before kick-off was six points. It really was win or bust.
It seemed that after those incredible missed chances that it might not be their day once again, but they got there and will take huge heart from getting through a massive test.
While they have a long way to go to pull off a great escape, this win keeps them in the fight as other relegation rivals toil.
It took character to see this through and the outcome will throw all sort of doubt County's way.
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone boss Simo Valakari expects to be selecting from an unchanged squad, with Zach Mitchell (hamstring), Drey Wright (ankle), Bozo Mikulic (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles) still out.
Ross County midfielder Scott Allardice remains out but does not need surgery on his knee injury.
Jack Grieves and George Robesten are doubts while Ross Laidlaw (illness), Andrew Macleod (groin), Noah Chilvers (knee) and Ryan Leak (Achilles) remain out.
Image source, SNSThe pressure of St Johnstone's Premiership survival fight is a "privilege" for striker Uche Ikpeazu after his injury torment.
The striker joined Saints last summer but suffered a knee injury that led to five operations before he finally made his debut for the club last month.
Ikpeazu, 30, now hopes to help Saints to a great escape, starting with victory over Ross County in Saturday's relegation showdown.
"Everything is against us, but unless it's mathematically impossible, I always still believe. That's just my mentality. I wake up every day and I'm just like, I always want to try," he said.
"I want there to be an amazing story. That's just my mentality. I think pressure is a privilege.
"It's a privilege because I look and I just think I was in a situation where no matter what I did, I could have never come back because of an infection in my knee that I knew nothing about.
"But now I'm in the position to help my team solidify themselves.
"I know St Johnstone have legends who have won the cup within the last 10 years. If you were to escape from this, though, these players would become legends because I don't think too many people actually give us a chance of doing so. It is possible, though."
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSSimo Valakari has been speaking to the media before St Johnstone host fellow strugglers Ross County this weekend.
Here are the key points from the Perth boss:
Saints will be relegated if they lose to County but Valakari insists they have enough to beat the drop and "miracles do happen".
He adds: "It has been a lot of talking about this pressure, our situation, things like that. But it's almost like we are going to the cup final. We can't play the occasion. We can't take the pressure of this and this. We need to play football. We need to make sure that we concentrate on one pass at a time, one throw-in at a time, one header, duel, second ball."
The Finn says jobs are on the line, including his own, if the club are relegated.
On whether he expects to be in charge next season: "You need to ask the owners. I want to be here."
On being linked with the vacancy at HJK Helsinki last weekend: "No, that's history. All the time I said, from the first day when I came here, I want to be in this football club."
Valakari says financially staying in the Premiership is "huge" for St Johnstone.
He insists this week there "is no hiding" and everyone knows what is at stake.
Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSIf St Johnstone are beaten at home by Ross County, their 16-year stay in the top flight will be over.
A home victory would pull the Saints three points behind the visitors with two games remaining but they have been in 'must-win' territory for a while and have lost three in a row in the Premiership since a shock success against Celtic.
County are in even worse shape, though, picking up nothing from their previous six matches and failing to score in four of those.
Thanks to the vagaries of the split, this will be a third home game for St Johnstone against County this season and they have won the other two, with Simo Valakari looking on for the first as he waited for paperwork to clear on his appointment.
The Perth side are unbeaten in their past six meetings with the Staggies but have been forced to play with a patched up defence of late and looked extremely vulnerable in the 2-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park last time.
A draw is no use to St Johnstone at this stage, so Valakari has to go for it.
Can he rouse a depleted squad for a big push against opponents who are likely to be feeling just as jittery?
Read all the weekend Premiership picks
Image source, SNSDefeat for St Johnstone in this match will see them relegated from the Scottish Premiership for the first time since 2001-02.
St Johnstone are unbeaten in six league meetings with Ross County (W4 D2), winning the past two. The Perth side have never previously beaten the Staggies three times in a row in the top flight.
County have lost three of their past four league trips to St Johnstone (D1), including both of their past two without scoring.
St Johnstone have lost their last three league games and could lose four in a row for the second time this season, having previously done so in December.
County have lost their past six league games; only once before have they ever lost seven in a row in the top flight, doing so when losing each of their opening seven matches of 2014-15.
Image source, SNSDon Cowie is targeting a "huge" Ross County victory in Perth on Saturday to relegate St Johnstone.
The Staggies have a six-point cushion over the rock-bottom Perth side with three matches remaining.
County remain in the relegation play-off spot - a point behind Dundee - and are seeking to end a run of six successive defeats in the relegation showdown.
"It would be huge," said manager Cowie. "It stops the run that we're on. It gives us a real opportunity to go into the two games after that.
"We would put it in our own hands going into the last two games. That's why winning the game is really important for us.
"In order to do that, we have to go and show it. St Johnstone are fighting for their lives as well. They're not going to make it easy for us.
"It's a place that we've not done too well in the past, but records are there to change. We've done that many times this season already and that gives us real belief.
"Sometimes it's not always about the performance. It's about being strong, being together and finding a way to win a game of football. That's what we'll be looking to do this weekend."
County are yet to beat St Johnstone this season, losing twice at McDiarmid Park after a 3-3 draw in Dingwall.
"We've got to recognise we can't change the last few weeks, we're really disappointed in terms of the results that we've had in that period of time, but it's up to us to change it," added Cowie.
"St Johnstone are very stuck in their way and the principles that they want to do. They're a really good footballing team.
"They want to play out from the back on all occasions. They've got players in the final third that can hurt you.
"They've got different qualities and lots of options in that area as well. We have to be ready for that. At the same time, we have to be ready to punish them at any opportunity."
Sam Miller
Fan writer
The phrase 'must win' has been used quite a bit around McDiarmid Park since January and, unfortunately, those matches haven't gone our way. However, we're not out of the running yet.
This Saturday's game is undeniably critical. Whether you call it a 'must win' or a 'six- pointer', beating Ross County will close the gap to just three points with two matches remaining.
It won't be an easy task. Our performance in last weekend's loss to Kilmarnock, another game framed as 'must win', was concerning.
It looked as though a majority of players lacked fight and already had their minds on the off-season, which is worrying for both the fans and management.
Adding to our challenges, we've had significant changes in defence. The departures of Jack Sanders and Kyle Cameron in January were followed by injuries to their replacements, Bozo Mikulic and Zach Mitchell, who had been performing well above standard. This has left us with a patched-up defence - a large contributor to our downfall.
The situation for Saturday is clear: win, or face relegation. If the players cannot find the motivation for this game, then they are not the type I want around my club for next season.
Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints, external
Watch all the action from Kilmarnock's 2-0 win over relegation-threatened St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.
Watch all the action from Kilmarnock's 2-0 win over relegation-threatened St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.
Available to UK users only
We asked for your views on St Johnstone's defeat to Kilmarnock on Saturday.
Here's what some of you said:
Daniel: No way back now, the top flight spell is over. Games v Hamilton and Livingston suggest little chance of a bounce back with Simo Valakari, games where we rely entirely on fluke goals with a better squad than we'll have next season. Owners have a decision to make.
Gordy: Quite simple - no future, in whichever division, with the current manager. Absolutely lacking in judgement as to team selection. He has tested playing out from the back to destruction. Finally no passion which is translated to the team and the fans.
Ally: Got to keep faith with Valakari. We've been three years in decline with one bad decision after another. We were too slow to sack Callum Davidson, got lazy with the Steven MacLean appointment and Craig Levein was never the right fit. We have got to give Valakari time to change and develop the squad. He has a track record of winning things with smaller teams but he needs time and transfer windows to do it.
Ian: Valakari is a lovely guy with great ideas but doesn't have the quality of players to implement. Unfortunately, not what the Saints need during this time. Will he stay next season? How would his style translate into the lower division? I fear we may just linger for a few seasons as we lose any quality players.
Kieran: Second best in all departments yet again, the story of the season. Makeshift defence creaking at every sight of a Killie attack too many players either out of position or out of their depth in the top flight. Josh McPake's performance was the only positive in what was a drastically sub par day at the office. At the time where we needed the players to step up and give us some hope of staying up fans left wanting yet again. Style of play out the window, no tempo to the attacks, is Simo the man for the job?
Jimmy: We had a couple of chances, stout defending from Killie kept the ball out of their goal and more defensive issues cost us the points. There is still hope, we definitely need maximum points from our next home games. Also, other results could help us out, but we need to win this game first and foremost.
Image source, SNSSt. Johnstone have conceded 32 first-half goals in 35 games, more than any other in the Premiership this season.
By the 44th minute, St. Johnstone had attempted 11 shots in this match - higher than their season average of 10.0 in the Premiership. However, they have failed to score - as has happened in 25 of their 35 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.
They have conceded 14 goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.
Simo Valakari's side have now lost their last three games in the Premiership - their last longer losing streak was from 14 December to 29 December 2024, a run of four games.
Danny Armstrong has successfully converted his last five penalties in the Premiership, last failing to score on 2 September 2023 against Ross County.
The winger has contributed to goals in his last four games in the Premiership (two goals, two assists).
St Johnstone's Scottish Premiership survival has been left hanging by a thread after Kilmarnock brushed them aside at McDiarmid Park to move closer to safety.
St Johnstone's fourth loss in five league games leaves them are eight points adrift of 10th place with three games to play, and six behind Ross County in 11th.
What did you make of that, St Johnstone fans? What went wrong in the loss?
Does a change need to be made in the dugout? Do you think you have any chance of avoiding relegation?
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone manager Simo Valakari told BBC Scotland: "The fight continues. Other results give us a little lifeline and that's what we need to grab.
"We could not perform well enough today. We knew against Kilmarnock, if you go 1-0 down it will be difficult and I'm very disappointed in how we give away the first goal.
"We are very honest with ourselves, it was not good enough how we defended in crucial moments. It doesn't matter who you play, you need to be better with that.
"Disappointment, everyone is down, but we need to pick ourselves up. We have these three matches to grab something. It's the next match. No time to feel sorry for ourselves. It's hard to pick yourself up but we need to do it."
