St Johnstone

Elton Kabangu's double continued Hearts' encouraging start to 2025 as Neil Critchley's side moved to within one point of the top six with a 2-1 win at Scottish Premiership bottom side St Johnstone.

The January loan signing, who is now the club's top scorer, netted his sixth and seventh goals since arriving from Union Saint-Gilloise either side of Adama Sidibeh's equaliser.

Both sides struggled with the boggy playing conditions before Kabangu turned in Shankland's effort at the back post to give the visitors the lead on 36 minutes.

Saints responded at the beginning of the second half when Sidibeh stooped to head in Graham Carey's cross, but parity didn't last long.

Just a few minutes later, Shankland and Kabangu combined again to restore Hearts' lead almost immediately after goalkeeper Craig Gordon produced a magnificent save to deny Sam Curtis at the other end.

The hosts endeavoured to level for a second time, but fortune was not on their side as Drey Wright had a superb header ruled out for offside and Carey had put one narrowly wide from a deep free-kick. Saints remain six points adrift.

Let us know your thoughts on the match here., external

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "Of course, we're very disappointed. It was a very tight game.

"Hearts used their moments with better quality than what we did. We could not produce enough moments in the final third. Our crossing, final pass, was not good enough. We asked more questions second-half.

"The most disappointing thing is that we worked so hard to get back into the match, and a couple of minutes later we are 2-1 down.

"Tight margins for Drey's call, but I'm more disappointed that we didn't stay in the match, we can't let them score again."

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

A typical onlooker would have said St Johnstone really had to win against Hearts.

Dundee's defeat by Ross County on Saturday left the door ajar for them to bring the pack above back into their sights.

However, another defeat seems to have further dampened their faint hopes of Premiership survival with 11 games to go.

Manager Simo Valakari needs a miraculous turnaround if his side are to avoid the drop and they host Ross County on Wednesday before visiting relegation rivals Dundee on Saturday.

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari is still looking to add to his squad despite making 10 signings since taking over in October.

The Finn has been keeping tabs on the free agent market but insists he is happy with the group and knows what his best team is.

Saints, who are bottom of the Scottish Premiership table, have the chance to go within three points of safety when they host Hearts on Sunday.

"We have been keeping our eye open and of course domestically here in Scotland you can make some (loan) transfers to the Championship, so we will need to see if there are any outgoings," said Valakari.

"But we are looking at all the options. I'm very, very happy with our squad now. There is good competition and more or less everyone is ready to play, so that's a good situation.

"I like that we have different options and different characteristics that we can start with a back three but maybe now against Hearts, they do not play with a back three so maybe we go with back four and adapt our system.

"Do I know what the best team is? Yes, I do, but it doesn't mean this team will start now and this team will start on Wednesday. It depends on many circumstances."

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone have lost Benji Kimpioka (illness) and Victor Griffith (ankle) this week. They remain without long-term absentees Uche Ikpeazu (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles) while Cammy MacPherson has joined Tampa Bay Rowdies on loan.

Hearts hope to have Cammy Devlin back after concussion but Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley (both hamstring), Frankie Kent (quad) and Yan Dhanda (hip) are still out.

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone defender Zach Mitchell is relishing coming into the Perth side's ongoing relegation battle after joining on loan from Charlton Athletic.

The 20-year-old has made two appearances off the bench for the Saints, who are currently six points behind 11th-placed Dundee.

Mitchell is no stranger to first-team football having made 18 appearances for Charlton and 28 on loan with Colchester last season, and he is determined to make the most of his new surroundings.

"That's the beauty of it, going into a new environment, a completely different challenge on and off the pitch," Mitchell said. "But that's something I want to fully embrace."

Saints face Hearts at McDiarmid Park on Sunday looking to bounce back from last weekend's loss against Kilmarnock and return to the form that earned them four consecutive wins prior to that defeat.

Mitchell was keen to praise manager Simo Valakari's energy, saying it has rubbed off on him and his teammates since he arrived in the January transfer window.

"I have loved it," he said. "From the first day I came in, he is inspirational in the way he is, his mood. The way he trains and his application is reflected in the team and how he wants us to play and it has rubbed off on all of us.

"We are going to try and implement his mood in the way we play as well.

"The team have just come out of a good run. It obviously wasn't the result we wanted the other week but I think the mood is positive and there is a lot of togetherness.

"We will be looking to this weekend to get back on a winning run."

Image source, SNS

• St Johnstone have lost each of their last eight league meetings with Heart of Midlothian since a 2-1 win in February 2022.

• Hearts have won each of their last four away league games at St Johnstone, this after winning none of their previous 15 visits in the top-flight prior (D7 L8).

• After their 2-1 win over Motherwell, St Johnstone could win back-to-back home league games for the first time since December 2023.

• Heart of Midlothian haven't conceded in any of their last three away league outings; not since March 2007 have Hearts had a longer run of away clean sheets in the top-flight (five).

• St Johnstone have had more high turnovers against them (226) than any other side in the Scottish Premiership this season, while only Celtic (214) and Rangers (200) have forced more high turnovers in the division this campaign than Hearts (180).

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has not given up hope of making one last addition of a striker to his St Johnstone squad, with Scandinavia the likeliest area where a free agent might emerge. (The Courier), external

Arsenal and St Johnstone have agreed a deal for 15-year-old Callan Hamill and the Perth club will bank an initial six-figure fee for the Scotland youth full-back, with realistic add-ons and sell-ons likely to swell that transfer fee significantly. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

St Johnstone striker Benjamin Kimpioka is still exploring options to leave the Perth club while transfer windows remain open in different parts of the world and the uncertainty has been a factor in manager Simo Valakari's decision to omit his 24-year-old top scorer from match-day squads for more than a month. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Stephen Duke-McKenna assures St Johnstone are "all sticking together" despite sitting bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

The Saints suffered their first defeat in three league games against Kilmarnock at the weekend, which not only halted their momentum, but, leaves them sis points adrift at the foot of the table.

"In football you are going to win and lose games, but you continue trying to do the right things," the midfielder, who's on-loan from Harrogate Town, told club media.

"We tried to carry out the plan against Kilmarnock but, on the day, it wasn't to be. We're more than capable of playing a lot better than we did in that game.

"The boys have all been very welcoming. They made me feel welcome straight from the word go. They are a good bunch of lads with good banter and there is a nice connection. We know where we are in the league but are all sticking together.

"Every game is obviously important for us."

The 24-year-old made his league debut for the club at Rugby Park, and he insists he has "a lot more to give".

"I love playing football and I can't wait for the next game to come around, the next test, the next battle," he added.

"I'm looking to show a lot more in the coming weeks. I feel I still have a lot more to show and a lot to give. Training has been great so far and I can't wait until we gel even more.

"I had a little shaky start against Hamilton in the Scottish Cup, and was getting used to the speed of the game. I felt like I showed more of what I could do in my league debut against Kilmarnock, although the result was disappointing."

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone's visit to second-tier Livingston in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals will be live on the BBC Scotland channel on Monday, 10 March at 19:45 to conclude the round.

Simo Valakari's side defeated second-tier Hamilton Accies to reach the quarter-finals, while Livingston beat League 1 Cove Rangers,

The match will be followed by the live draw for the semi-finals.

Sam Miller
Fan writer

Saturdays result at Kilmarnock hammered home what we've known for sometime. It'll take an almighty turnaround to keep us in the top league.

'Too many people off form', 'not our day' or 'beaten by a better team'. Regular reasons for our regular defeats. And its happened too many times this season to think that it will miraculously change in what are a massive three games in seven days.

However, ask me in two weeks when we are off the bottom spot after putting Hearts, Ross County and most importantly, Dundee, to the sword and I'll tell you a different story full of positivity.

I love being a fickle football fan.

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

St Johnstone midfielder Cammy MacPherson is expected to join Tampa Bay Rowdies this week. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone and Kilmarnock are investigating an allegation of racist abuse in the away end during last weekend's Scottish Premiership match between the sides at Rugby Park.

A club statement from the Perth club said: "We are working closely with Kilmarnock Football Club and Police Scotland to fully investigate. Any supporter with further information is asked to contact the club.

"We are a proud family club and reiterate that there is no place for discrimination in our game or anywhere in society.

"The club will be making no further comment at this time."

Kilmarnock added: "Discrimination will not be tolerated in any form at Rugby Park."

Kilmarnock dispatch bottom club St Johnstone 3-1 to move into the Scottish Premiership top six. (UK users only)

We asked for your views on St Johnstone's 3-1 Premiership defeat at Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

Stephen: The only hope Saints have is another managerial change I'm sad to say. This tippy-tappy football will never work in Scotland. Pick up the phone to someone like John Hughes.

Derek: The manager has to be careful that his stubbornness doesn't cost us relegation. Andre Raymond should start and Benjamin Kimpioka needs brought back in. The board backed him in the window but we've just brought in similar midfielders. Where are the strikers?

Willie: We don't have reliable enough players to play out from the back in the way Simo wants. When it comes off it looks good, however you can't afford to lose possession in these positions. We got away with it in the recent run of wins, however the fans are living on their nerves when we inevitably get caught in possession.

Ian: That was a real step backwards. We looked uncomfortable on the ball and seldom threatened the Killie goal. We fully deserved to lose a game of huge importance - harried, pressed and punished by the hungrier team. It's a tall ask to pull in those teams above us, especially since the pack has moved further away again.

Jimmy: Losing the early goal rocked us, we didn't really recover from that. We were torn apart by Killie players cutting in from the wings and not being closed down quick enough. One of our off days, just have to focus on the next game.

Image source, SNS

• Kilmarnock have a record of W5, D0, L0 when scoring the opening goal at home in the Premiership this season.

• Kilmarnock attempted four shots on target in this match, higher than their season average of 3.8 in the Premiership.

• Kilmarnock have scored in each of their last three games in the Premiership, scoring six goals in that run.

• St Johnstone have conceded 24 first-half goals in 26 games, no team has conceded more in the Premiership this season.

• St Johnstone have conceded seven goals in the first 15 minutes of the first half, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• St Johnstone have failed to score a first-half goal in 19 of their 26 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Premiership this season.

Kilmarnock cruised to victory over St Johnstone to move into the Scottish Premiership top six for the first time this season and end the visitors' fine run of form.

Graham Carey netted a late consolation but St Johnstone are now six points adrift at the bottom, while Kilmarnock rise from 10th to sixth.

What did you make of that, St Johnstone fans? Where did it go wrong?

Let us know your thoughts., external

St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari told BBC Scotland: "Of course, disappointing result. Big credit to the opponent, they put us under a lot of pressure.

"We were not good enough in the deciding moments, but we are a good team, we will keep going. Nothing has changed. We recover now.

"We need to be solid, good with the ball, that gives us the backbone to win football matches. Today is a great example. When you concede three goals, it's hard to get back.

"We scored one beautiful goal, a good combination through the middle, but we need to be solid and play our way. That gives us a chance to win.

"There are so many games left. We can't lose and waste these opportunities. Today we did, we can't cry about it.

"We have big belief, big work rate, and through this work rate we improve our performances. It takes us where it takes us.

"That's what hurts us most - me and my players. The fans follow us here, they see us 3-0 down. They could easily turn their back but no, they stand there cheering for the team because they know the players give everything."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

A few weeks ago, St Johnstone scraped a victory against St Mirren when the Buddies proved profligate in front of goal. In that game, and in this one too, Valakari's side lived dangerously. This time, they paid the price.

The style that the Finnish manager has tried to install is admirable and, when it works, eye-catching. When it doesn't, it leaves them exposed and vulnerable.

They lost the ball in their own backline or midfield a few times early on and, after conceding, their confidence looked rocked. They did eventually build a few chances, but Makenzie Kirk looked very isolated up top.

Valakari swapped two players at half-time, a sign of his frustration, but there weren't many signs of progression. Carey added flair when he came on, but by that point the game was done.

This was the performance of relegation candidates. Much improvement is needed if they are to make up the gap and beat the odds.