St Johnstone

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Although they left Tannadice without any points, the Saints fans could not fault the attitude or application from the players at Tannadice.

They refused to give up until the final whistle, still creating chances despite the odds going against them.

Although plenty was made of the original strikeforce of Kimpioka and Adama Sidibeh at the start of the season, they don't seem to have the clinical edge in front of goal that could save the Perth side.

Saints are the joint lowest scorers in the division and while they registered 15 shots - compared to United's nine - just two were on target.

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St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari told BBC Scotland: "Overall, we played well. We knew it would be tight margins and unfortunately the goal we concede comes from a crazy thing happening.

"The boys put everything in. We created chances and now, the regular season is done. Five games to go, the fight continues.

"We know we played well. We are in good form. We do the right things. We just need the results, that's the hardest thing.

"Everyone who watched today saw what we are all about. Our players are tough, they are good players. We have given ourselves a chance."

St Johnstone are being fuelled by the collective view they are already destined for the drop, says on-loan Charlton defender Zach Mitchell, 20. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Dundee United pair Ross Graham and Vicko Sevelj remain doubts after missing the victory over Hearts.

St Johnstone are without Drey Wright after the versatile midfielder suffered ankle ligament damage. Uche Ikpeazu has done some training with the ball, while long-term absentees Bozo Mikulic (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles) remain out.

Celtic could still win a 13th Scottish top-flight title in 14 seasons this weekend, despite their shock defeat away to St Johnstone last Sunday.

Victory at home against Kilmarnock on Saturday would be sufficient to confirm the arithmetic should Rangers lose at Aberdeen the following day.

The Ibrox side are almost certain to clinch the second Champions League place, but four points from their final six matches would confirm it.

Whoever finishes third and fourth will also be in Europe, as will the division's fifth-placed side should the Scottish Cup winners be one of the Premiership's top four.

The fight for the final top-six place will go to the final game before the split, with one of Hearts, Motherwell or St Mirren claiming it.

Hearts visit Fir Park one point in front of their hosts and the Paisley side, who take on Ross County.

The two teams missing out could yet be sucked into a relegation battle.

Bottom side St Johnstone are now five adrift of Dundee and six behind Kilmarnock and Ross County. Motherwell and St Mirren are a further three points ahead.

With the teams all playing each other again post-split, there is still plenty scope for movement between now and 18 May.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Johnstone defender Zach Mitchell says no-one at McDiarmid Park is getting carried away after their surprise victory over Celtic, but hope to use the momentum from the result in their Premiership survival bid.

Saints have been getting plenty of plaudits after last weekend's 1-0 win against the runaway league leaders.

It was a huge boost and a much-needed win for the Perth side, who are five points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Mitchell said: "We are in no position where we are going to get ahead of ourselves.

"We know what we have got to do and what the task ahead is, and although we will take those moments and live in the highs but you can't live in them for too long and we will be looking to our next game.

"That is what the manager has emphasised as well, is that, sometimes you can come away from a good win perhaps sometimes teams might let complacency come in and you might not perform to the standards that you would like, but I think we are definitely not going to let that happen.'

"I think we will take a lot of positives from that game, but at the same time, we will use that as momentum to take into the next game."

Despite their league position St Johnstone have been in good form of late; in fact, they have only lost one of their last six games in all competitions.

They face another difficult challenge on Saturday when they travel to play a Dundee United side who are very much in the fight for Europe.

Mitchell added: "There is a great togetherness in the group.

"We know we are not in a great position, but I guess there is more for us to gain when you are further down, so that is the sort of positive mindset that we have taken on, and we will continue to do so for the rest of the season."

St Johnstone fans, with the final top and bottom six spots yet to be decided, we asked who you'd least like to face post-split.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Roy: I'd probably prefer Hearts to make the top six, although I don't think their defence is very good. They showed at McDiarmid Park recently that their front three can be very clinical. We have a relatively decent recent record against Motherwell, and if we get St Mirren at home, there's some unfinished business from earlier in the season when we couldn't hold on to a lead in a game we shouldn't have lost.

James: Ideally, we avoid Hearts. We've lost 2-1 to them three times this season, two of which when they were rooted at the bottom of the league. Motherwell, on the other hand, is a team we've been successful against this season, so I would choose them as I believe St Mirren have just a little more about them.

John: We don't want Hearts, our record against them is appalling. Motherwell is a more compelling prospect.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari says his side cannot afford to drop below the standards they set against Celtic last weekend as they fight to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership.

The Saints remain five points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership, but their 1-0 win over the league leaders last time out provided a welcome boost before this Saturday's trip to Dundee United.

Valakari says they must rise to the occasion again in order to narrow the gap to Dundee in 11th.

"The main message to our players has been we need to play better than we played against Celtic because history tells me when you play these big matches and you get the result, the next game is always the most difficult," he said.

"After a performance like this, expectation of the outside people, expectation on our players go higher, but we have set the standard now.

"The main message is we need to do it all over again and a little bit better."

Saints will have to do so without Drey Wright, who damaged ankle ligaments against Celtic and could miss the rest of the season.

"I have used him everywhere. He has started maybe left-back, he ends up right winger, he has played centre-back and ended up left winger," Valakari said.

"You know every game he gives you the performance, so it is a huge huge blow for us."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premiership trip to Dundee United.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• After beating Celtic last weekend, Valakari says they "need to play better", adding that after a result like that "the next game is always the most difficult".

• He says a result and performance like that raises expectations and his team "have set the standard now".

• Valakari was asked if the result has sent a warning to the teams above them in the table – he said they can't control what other teams do. He wants his team to "fight" and see where it takes them.

• With the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic looming, Valakari was asked if the lure of being in the team at Hampden could spur his players on at Tannadice? He said a "good performance" and "showing the big character" could only help players' chances of being in the team at the national stadium.

• He is expecting a tough challenge against a United side that have achieved the "huge success" of securing a top-six finish, describing them as a "versatile strong team".

• Valakari has confirmed versatile player Drey Wright is likely to be out for four to six weeks after injuring his ankle, calling it "a huge blow".

• Striker Uche Ikpeazu, who has been sidelined all season through injury, is back training with the group – it remains to be seen if he will feature before the campaign is over; Barry Douglas returns from injury.

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• Dundee United have won both of their league meetings with St Johnstone this season, but haven't won three in a row against the Saints in the top-flight since January 2002 under Alex Smith (run of four).

• St Johnstone have lost each of their past four league games against newly-promoted opposition (two v Dundee last season, two v Dundee United this season), as many as their previous 29 beforehand (W10 D15 L4).

• Dundee United have 47 points in 32 Scottish Premiership games this season (W13 D8 L11); since the competition rebrand in 2013, only four newly-promoted sides have had 50+ points from 33 games when the division splits into the top and bottom halves: Hearts in 2015-16 (60), Rangers in 2016-17 (58), Hibernian in 2017-18 (59), and Hearts in 2021-22 (57).

• After only winning four of their first 23 league games this season (D3 L16), St Johnstone have since won four of their past nine (D2 L3), beating league leaders Celtic 1-0 last time out.

• St Johnstone have 29 points in 32 Scottish Premiership games this season (W8 D5 L19); since the competition rebrand in 2013, only four sides have had fewer than 30 points when the league splits into two halves after 33 games and avoided relegation: Hamilton Academical in 2018-19, St. Mirren in 2018-19, Ross County in 2020-21, and Ross County in 2022-23.

With one round of pre-split fixtures remaining, the final position of three teams is yet to be finalised.

So, with every post-split game crucial to your side's survival, who would you rather avoid in the bottom six: Hearts, St Mirren, or Motherwell?

Tell us why via this link and come back later in the week to see what your fellow fans are thinking.

Sam Miller
Fan writer

There are some certainties in life. Death, taxes and St Johnstone pulling off a result nobody, and I mean literally nobody, saw coming.

Watching the results unfold on Saturday was painful when the realisation hit that the fat lady was singing and our goose was cooked.

Simon Murray FC - sorry 'Dundee' - were at it again, and with the gap at eight points no-one saw us getting anything against the champions-in-waiting.

The spirits of St Johnstone past decided to inject some of our current crop with the energy, determination and belief that we could get the result and upset the odds like so many former Saints teams.

What an absolute incredible shift put in by every single one of the players. The backline, who have been gifting howlers all seasons, put their bodies on the line and showed (finally!) that we aren't going down without a fight.

All of this means nothing unless we can back it up against Dundee United on Saturday. But with the confidence gained from this match, the goose may remain uncooked.

Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints, external

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Andy Fisher hopes St Johnstone's stunning 1-0 win over Celtic will be the catalyst for achieving Scottish Premiership survival.

Defender Daniels Balodis scored with a header in the fourth minute at McDiarmid Park before 27-year-old goalkeeper Fisher pulled off a string of fine saves to ensure victory.

The shock win, which was the Perth club's first victory over Celtic since 2016, moves Simo Valakari's side to within five points of second-bottom Dundee with six fixtures remaining.

Fisher, who arrived on loan from Swansea in January, said: "It's massive. I'm incredibly proud of everyone - the players, the staff, the fans, everyone behind the scenes.

"It shows we've bounced back from last week (a 3-0 loss to Hibernian). That wasn't the result we wanted or the performance we wanted.

"But we came out and got a clean sheet and got a win against Celtic, which shows we can beat anyone. Everyone wrote us off before the game. To get the win is like a bonus three points in a way.

"It gives us a better chance to now hopefully go out and get another three points and claw back a bit of that points difference going into the split.

"There's still belief within our squad we can stay up. Next week [away to Dundee United] is a big game, it's a must-win."

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Former Scotland midfielder Kevin Thomson thinks St Johnstone can do enough to avoid the drop after their superb 1-0 win over Celtic on Sunday.

Daniels Balodis' early goal secured a vital three points for Simo Valakari's side, who trail Dundee in 11th by five points.

There are six league matches remaining and Saints will face the teams around them after the league splits this weekend.

"Naturally you're playing against the teams over the course of season that have not managed to squeeze into the top six," Thomson said on the BBC's Scottish Football podcast.

"You could argue that the fixtures are slightly easier, albeit you're down there yourself. They are obviously going to be really competitive, but looking at the table, I think they can all beat each other. I genuinely do.

"That result, everybody was probably looking at St Johnstone thinking they're down and out. You're not expecting them to get anything off Celtic, they're not going to get three points.

"St Johnstone are more than capable of picking up seven, eight, nine points out of 15, the other three or four are more than capable as well. If you're in that mix, you've got a wee bit of squeaky bum time."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

St Johnstone gave their Premiership survival hopes an enormous boost with a shock win over league-leaders Celtic at McDiarmid Park on Sunday.

They have three players in my team of the week as a result.

Goalkeeper Andy Fisher exuded confidence and capability at the heart of a resolute performance. A number of vital interventions to keep Celtic out.

Daniels Balodis gets the nod over Zach Mitchell - who was also superb - due to his match-winning goal.

Mr Versatility Drey Wright also makes it. He played as part of an impressive back three against Celtic and was superb. Sticking him in as a wing-back here.

We asked for your views on St Johnstone's 1-0 win against Celtic.

Here's what some of you said:

Robin: Safe to say many didn't see that one coming! The team showed that they can be direct and effective when they need to be. The main thing is we now have the chance to be within two points at the split and the rest of the bottom six will be very concerned if that happens.

Paul: What a performance! I feel the manager deserved that, he's stayed true to his principles and tried getting the team to play good football. It's not always worked but that was the complete performance and a thoroughly deserved victory.

Gordon: Incredible. It shows we have a team in there. Delighted for everyone at the club. Now though we have to replicate this effort six more times and maybe, just maybe we can conjure up a great escape. Cue the music.

Les: What a result, there wasn't a failure. Praying Drey Wright isn't serious with his knee, what a game set up at Tannadice now.

Sam: The great escape is well and truly on. I see another 11th place finish and relegation play-off in our near-future. Regardless of if we stay up or go down, I really hope Simo Valakari gets the opportunity to build the squad up over the summer. He's the most optimistic I've felt about a Saints coach in a long while.

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• Graham Carey has assisted three goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other St Johnstone player.

• Adam Idah has attempted five shots, the first time he has attempted at least five shots in a match in the Premiership since facing Dundee United on 15 February 2025 (seven shots).

• St Johnstone have beaten Celtic for the first time in the Premiership since 11 May 2016, a run of 27 games without a win.

• Reo Hatate has attempted five shots, the first time he has attempted at least five shots in a match in the Premiership since facing Kilmarnock on 4 August 2024 (eight shots).

Watch the highlights from St Johnstone's 1-0 win over league leaders Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

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Did you take in St Johnstone's 1-0 win over Celtic or were you following from home?

Have your say on the match

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "Big win. My players wanted to show that they are good players, we are a good team and there's no better place to show that than against Celtic at your home stadium. Very proud of the performance.

"There were a lot of good performances, starting from the striker all the way, of course, to our goalkeeper. You need in these matches to make saves and Andy Fisher made those saves.

"Our players, mentally, they were switched on all the time. Early goal helps because then you have even more to hang on to. Our players, they can defend.

"We give ourselves the fighting, fighting chance. Where it takes us? We don't know but we need to stay there until the end. We keep going."

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Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland at McDiarmid Park

St Johnstone's set-up was bold and their bravery was rewarded.

Not only did they take the lead against a team who had previously put them to the sword this season with an aggregate of 10-0, they defended the predictable Celtic response brilliantly.

Celtic piled on the pressure in the second half, but St Johnstone held firm, while Andy Fisher made some vital saves.

The points could be vital too as they try and stave off the threat of relegation after 16 years in the top flight. It was a brilliant display and one that psychologically could be huge for the league run-in.

Although, it must be a tad frustrating for manager Simo Valakari that performances like this have been so rare this term. Still, he will be focusing on the positives and hoping the result will spark something.

Andy Fisher was outstanding in goal as St Johnstone recorded an unlikely but potentially huge win against Celtic.

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Barry Douglas has recovered from a knock while long-term injury victims Uche Ikpeazu, Bozo Mikulic (both knee) and Sam McClelland (achilles) are still missing for St Johnstone.

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel faces five to six weeks out with a shoulder injury but Liam Scales returns from a facial injury.