St Johnstone

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Simo Valakari says he has "never, ever thought about" St Johnstone being relegated this season despite their perilous position at the bottom of the Premiership.

After a dismal run of mid-season form that saw them take just two points from a possible 27 through December and early 2025, the Perth side have picked up and suffered just two defeats in 10 games across all competitions.

That gap at the bottom - which stood at nine points in January - is now down to five and Saints also have a Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic looming next month.

Asked if there was ever a point he feared his side were heading for the drop, Valakari, whose side visit Hibs on Saturday, said: "No. I can say, bottom of my heart, never, ever thought about it, because that time when we were there [nine points adrift], there were still so many games.

"And you think about three wins, three points, get them a couple in a row, it changes everything in this league, because you almost always play against your direct opponent.

"You win, you take the points out of them, you add these three points [to your tally] so, no, no, no. And still it is so many games left that anything can happen."

Valakari says he was always confident the squad would be able to turn their form around, but knows the job is far from complete.

He added: "It is hard to explain it [the upturn in form] here, because you didn't see the results during December, but I saw the players all the time in training, and I saw how much attitude, energy, they had to turn things around.

"Of course, it is not easy when you are not getting the results, going the next day again, again, again. But our players, they did it. They kept doing, doing, doing. And then, for me, it was just a matter of time before we started getting these results, and it happened.

"I was so happy for the players and the fans that we started to get these results and seeing a little bit of smile in everybody's face. But we are still far away from where we want to be, and that's why we have to keep pushing."

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• Hibs are joint top of the Scottish Premiership this season for both points gained from losing positions (13, level with Kilmarnock) and points dropped from winning positions (20, level with Dundee).

• Hibs have alternated between winning (3 times) and losing (2) in their last five home league games against St Johnstone, winning 2-0 most recently in September.

• St Johnstone are winless in their past three league meetings with Hibs (D1 L2), and have only kept one clean sheet in 10 league games versus the Easter Road side (1-0 win in December 2023).

• Hibs have won their past four home league games, their longest run in the Scottish Premiership since winning seven on the bounce from January to April 2018 under Neil Lennon.

• St Johnstone have only won one of their past nine away league outings (D2 L6), a 1-0 victory at St Mirren in February.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

What if the Scottish Premiership was decided on overperforming your expected goals (xG) rating?

You're rolling your eyes, aren't you? Fair enough, but the above graphic still paints an interesting picture.

In the second column you will see each team's current xG tally after 30 games, but the table is sorted based on the third column, which shows how much each side has overperformed or underperformed by.

For example, the chances leaders Celtic have created throughout the season suggests they should have scored around 77 goals, but Brendan Rodgers' side have surpassed that tally with an overperformance of almost 12 goals.

Remarkably, Dundee have overperformed their xG total of 34 by 11 goals. If Tony Docherty's side could sort out their defensive issues, it's safe to assume they wouldn't be fighting for survival.

It's the opposite for Kilmarnock, with their underperformance of 5.5 showing they have struggled to take their chances. Addressing that is key if Derek McInnes wants to pull his side away from the bottom.

Other underperformers include Hibernian, Dundee United and Ross County, while the remainder of the teams in the division appear to be fairly steady.

Manager Simo Valakari believes St Johnstone will benefit from defender Daniel Balodis' appearances for Latvia, including Monday's loss to England at Wembley. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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St Johnstone are facing a battle at the bottom as they look to secure their Premiership status for next season.

They are currently rock bottom of the top-flight table, five points behind Dundee in 11th.

We have taken a look at some of their stats in comparison to the rest of the teams in the league this season to work out what's going wrong.

In front of goal, the numbers don't look good. They have scored the second fewest goals this season - an average of 1.1 goals per game - while conceding the second most at 1.8 per match.

Their expected goals tally is the lowest in the division, as is their shots on target per match, and in terms of big chances only Ross County have created fewer.

Simo Valakari's side have also had the second fewest touches in the opposition box.

On a more positive note, they are in the top half for average possession (53.4%) - only Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and Aberdeen have more - plus they are third for accurate passes per match, with only Celtic and Rangers completing more.

However, positive possession and passing stats will count for little if they cannot address the issues they are facing in both boxes.

St Johnstone's Elliot Watt, 25, is enjoying working with manager Simo Valakari and the midfielder hopes to work on the physical aspects of his game. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has hailed the influence of Barry Douglas on and off the pitch since the 35-year-old left-back joined the Scottish Premiership club as a free agent until the end of the season in October. (The Courier), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Daniels Balodis kept a clean sheet for Latvia as they kicked off their World Cup qualification campaign with a 1-0 win over Andorra.

The 26-year-old defender played the full 90 minutes and won the most tackles in the game, with three successes. He also racked up am impressive 86% passing accuracy, with 73 of out his 85 passes finding a teammate.

They next face England on Monday evening.

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We asked for your St Johnstone player of the year - and the biggest disappointment.

Here's what some of you said:

Willie: It has to be Drey Wright for player of the season. He is dependable in whatever position he is asked to play. Biggest letdown was the way Craig Levein mismanaged the young goalkeepers, removing the keeper coach and failing to bring in an experienced keeper.

Paul: Best player has consistently been Sven Sprangler. Biggest letdown definitely Benjamin Kimpioka, especially after the way he started the season.

Robin: Player of the season - Makenzie Kirk has been the surprise, but so far would probably be Bozo Mikulic despite only arriving in October. His knee injury was a cruel blow for him and us.

As for a flop, there's too many to choose from. Josh Rae, Ross Sinclair, Kyle Cameron (somehow made captain), Uche Ikpeazu (is he a flop if he has never played for us?) and Matt Smith all flattered to deceive on the field, but the biggest flop was Levein.

Cameron: Player of the season so far has got to be Wright for me, closely followed by Sprangler. In terms of disappointment, unfortunately there are too many, hence we are now facing relegation, but I'd actually say Kimpioka. Even though he has scored some goals, if he'd kept his head down all season instead of getting caught up in contract and transfer nonsense we might be a few points better off. As for Levein and his recruitment, where do you start?

Duncan: Difficult question in a difficult campaign, with a different 11 for the second half of the season. Therefore the only three names that can considered are Sprangler, Wright and Kirk. Sprangler's commitment to get stuck in despite dark times has been inspiring; Wright's willingness to plug gaps and put in a shift has been inspiring; without Kirk's goals, where would we be? Tough choice!

With just eight Premiership games left, we're down to the business end of the season.

Player reputations have been enhanced - or sullied - with their performances throughout the campaign.

As thoughts begin to turn to end-of-term awards, we want to know your St Johnstone player of the season so far - and the biggest flop.

Share your views

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Former St Johnstone attacking midfielder Billy Steel has died at age 89.

After joining from Edinburgh Thistle in 1953, Steel made 83 appearances and scored 35 goals in a Saints spell spanning nearly five years.

"Our thoughts are with Billy's family at this sad time," said the club in a statement.

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has revealed that Victor Griffith declined a Panama call-up so the 24-year-old midfielder could get himself in the best possible condition for his club's battle to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership and prepare for their Scottish Cup semi-final. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has confirmed he missed out on signing Norwegian striker Runar Espejord earlier this month but has not dismissed the possibility of a further attempt to secure the 29-year-old, who only signed a one-year contract with Haugesund after leaving Bodo/Glimt. (The Courier), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Sam Miller
Fan writer

I'm not usually one for conspiracy theories, but I couldn't help but feel that the Dundee teams conspired against us on Sunday to ensure the most successful team in Tayside this millennium (obviously us) would disappear without a trace.

The weekend felt like one step forward and two steps back, and the harsh reality of our future has reared its ugly head once again.

Stats are wonderful. They say we've only lost two of our past 10 games. Incredible and definitely top-six form.

However, the reality is one league win in five games, and that's unfortunately the one that matters.

But as long as there are points available, I'll remain positive.

Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints, external

Forward Uche Ikpeazu, 30, could yet return from injury to make his first St Johnstone appearances before the end of the season. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Zach Mitchell (St Johnstone): An impressive performance from the 20-year-old English defender. A clean sheet to earn what may prove to be a valuable point against Aberdeen.

Watch all the action from St Johnstone and Aberdeen's goalless draw in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

Saints fans, we asked for your views on Saturday's goalless draw with Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Anon: Thought the first half was slow. We always seem to be keeping into thick of things instead of watching the other side of pitch where there is a a free player that could be getting the ball fast up the pitch. It happens every time and needs to change. The second half was a lot faster and better.

Neil: Terrible game! So frustrating again and again. We have no threat up front, then we make subs and it gets worse, just nothing! Aberdeen were not up to much really and we were not showing any class. Few Saints players were good throughout.

Anon: We played alright. I was at the game and it was lovely to see so many fans but wish we got the three points. Only two from safety now though

Willie: Not much between the teams and a draw a fair result. The biggest opportunity of the game was missed by Saints in the first half. We are struggling with a lack of quality in the final third.

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• St. Johnstone are undefeated in their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 27 December 2023 to 3 February 2024, a run of four games.

• Aberdeen have failed to win in their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 23 November 2024 to 1 February 2025, a run of 14 games.

• St. Johnstone have failed to score a first-half goal in 22 of their 30 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Premiership this season.

• Aberdeen have committed 12 fouls in this match, higher than their season average of 11.1 in the Premiership.

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St Johnstone and Aberdeen held out a goalless draw at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.

You can catch all the highlights from the Premiership clash over on BBC iPlayer or via this link.

Saints fans, were you at McDiarmid Park on Saturday or following the action from home? What did you make of the game? Are you happy with the point or did you think you deserved all three?

Have your say on the game, external.

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St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "I think everyone saw it was a very tight game, not much between the teams.

"We had our chance in the first half, we defended against a very dangerous attacking force, it was a very, very tight game. It's a step forward. We have lost these matches earlier. If we cannot win it let's take the point and it's one point gained.

"We had a good start, put the pressure on them but we did not score. We needed to defend, we needed to fight, needed to create more chances but we couldn't so we'll take the point.

"We came here to win, we need to win but if we cannot win we take the point and you never know how valuable it will be at the end of the season.

"I felt we were very very solid [at the back] against a strong team who attack with power. That's a team effort, our strikers put a lot of energy into the pressing, made it difficult for the opponent in the build up.

"We looked solid and that's the foundation for the survival fight. We will create, we will do the things but we have to be solid."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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When you are battling for your life at the bottom of the league, every point is a prisoner. So this will be gratefully grasped and tucked away for safety.

One is, of course, better than none but, while it sounds greedy, St Johnstone could have done with all three.

Depending on what happens in Sunday's Dundee derby, the Perth side could end the weekend well adrift at the foot of the table.

Of course they might not – but it serves to highlight the perilous situation they find themselves in.

Simo Valakari's team are in a predicament which is about fine lines and what happened against Aberdeen serves to reinforce that point.

His team have now lost just two of their last seven league games but it is wins that will prove priceless over the coming weeks as they continue in their bid to survive.