St Johnstone

Bottom club St Johnstone's players need to realise their livelihoods are at stake amid the threat of relegation, says left-back Barry Douglas, 35. (Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Former St Johnstone goalkeeper Cammy Bell says Simo Valakari must change the style of play if they are to have any chance of escaping relegation.

Following Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Rangers, the Perthshire Saints remain bottom of the Premiership table, nine points behind Hearts in 11th.

"I thought they were absolutely shocking, especially in the first 25 minutes [against Rangers]," Bell told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"The goals they conceded were horrendous. Really, really poor decisions, putting themselves in trouble.

"You look at the teams that Rangers have played recently and how they've got results. You've got to be solid, you've got to give yourself a base. St Johnstone are so wide open, easy to play against, concede terrible goals, and make individual errors as well.

"I just can't see a way back for them at the moment. They need to change their style of play.

"Everyone wants to play that expansive, attractive style of football, but you also need to win games of football. You need to put points on the board. So they're really struggling at the moment. They need to change something."

Watch Sportscene analysis of St Johnstone's 3-1 defeat against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. Available to UK users.

St Johnstone fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's defeat to Rangers.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Jimmy: The shape of the team is wrong, players out of their best positions, the set up looks "makeshift". The signing of Andy Fisher appears to be a good one, he is a better keeper but we still need a good defender, and a proven goal scorer. I still have confidence we can escape the relegation spot, but that gap is getting wider.

Stuart: Special round of applause for how our management team at the time believed no right back, two Championship goalkeepers, a 36-year-old playmaker and a relatively inexperienced defence was good enough to push for top six. Calling for Simo Valakari's head is absolutely bizarre when he can't fix the mess in this window. We need to back him and let him rebuild.

Duncan: Not unexpected, perhaps more respectable than expected. But the same as last week. We clearly need more faces through the door to match the style of play, or at least break the cycle for some of the regular starters whose confidence is only going to get worse chasing so many games and so many damaging errors. Have patience. Stick with Simo!

Ally: Simo Valakari says "we are making too many mistakes" I hope he's including himself in that statement. His starting teams leaves a lot to be desired, he has to stop playing people out of position. It's like he's still experimenting with players, meantime we're being cut adrift in the relegation spot. Come on Simo, round pegs for round holes.

Bryan: Relegation now a reality. Time to prepare for a Championship campaign.

Anon: Sadly it is just the same over again. First and third goals are just ridiculous defending. We have full-backs on the bench but Simo plays two guys out of position. We are Championship bound but go down with a fight not a whimper!

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• Rangers have scored in each of their last 14 games in the Premiership, scoring 29 goals in that run.

• Nicolas Raskin attempted 110 passes in this game, the highest total for a Rangers player in the Premiership this season.

• Rangers are unbeaten in their last 10 Premiership matches when leading at half-time (W9, D1) dating back to 14 April 2024 against Ross County (L2-3).

• St Johnstone have failed to win in their last nine games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winless streak was from 5 August 2023 to 28 October 2023.

• St Johnstone have scored six goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half, only Celtic (10) and Aberdeen (8) have scored more in the Premiership this season.

• St Johnstone have failed to score a first-half goal in 16 of their 23 games, only Dundee United (17) and Kilmarnock (17) have failed to score more often in the Premiership this season.

Did you take in St Johnstone's defeat by Rangers or were you following from home?

Have your say on the match, external

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "It's only us we can blame. We are making too many mistakes, we all know it. We just need to be better in those moments.

"I know my players, they have this spirit, they have this capability to play good football. If you make those [bad] decisions, you get punished. It's not about taking risks.

"We need to try to play our stuff with the ball. When we do this, we created a couple of moments to be even more dangerous. The bottom line is, we need to be better."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Ibrox

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has a determination to play football from the back. Early on at Ibrox, that looked very risky but they stuck with it.

The concession of the opener was cheap. The second and third were also far too easy.

The Perth side are capable of producing some good moments going forward, but look so vulnerable to conceding it's little wonder they are toiling at the foot of the Premiership, with the deficit now nine points.

The question seems to be whether the manager has the personnel to play the way he wants. They were cut open far too easily for the goals and the game was pretty much done before the half-hour mark.

Saints were ruthlessly punished but fully contributed to their own demise.

There was a clear improvement after the break as they looked more solid and got a consolation goal, but it does nothing to change the challenge they face in the remainder of the season.

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New St Johnstone goalkeeper Andy Fisher says he is looking forward to the "challenge" of trying to help the club mount a remarkable surge to safety.

Fisher, who has joined on loan from Swansea City, will stake his claim for the number one jersey against Josh Rae and Ross Sinclair, who have shared the gloves until now.

Saints are eight points adrift at the bottom and Fisher said: "I like the challenge of the situation we are in. I want to help the team out and that's what I'm here to do.

"I like the pressure of winning games. I think that's something that will make everyone here grow. I'm hoping to play a big part. It will be a challenge but I'm hoping I can come here and we can start picking up a few points."

The 26-year-old added: "I need games and St Johnstone showed real interest and showed that they really wanted me to come and help them out.

"I thought it's a real good opportunity for me and a real good challenge, where I think I can help the team out."

The shot-stopper is yet to play this season after suffering a groin injury last summer.

"I got injured in pre-season and I had an operation but I feel I'm back up to speed now, so hopefully I can come here and show that I'm still good."

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• Rangers have won their past eight meetings with St Johnstone across all competitions (all without conceding), their longest winning run over the Saints since winning 10 in a row from April 1991 to December 1992.

• St Johnstone are winless in their past 11 visits to Rangers in all competitions (D2 L9) since a 3-1 victory in December 2017. The Perth men have scored just two goals in those 11 away trips.

• Rangers have won 11 of their past 12 home league games (including nine of 10 this season – D1), winning their last three in a row without conceding. The Ibrox side last won four in a row while keeping a clean sheet each time at home in the Scottish Premiership in February 2022 under Giovanni van Bronckhorst (run of 7).

• St Johnstone have lost four of their past five away league outings (D1), and could lose three in a row on the road for the first time since January 2023 – the third defeat of which was at Rangers (0-2).

• Since the start of November, St Johnstone have earned fewer points in the Scottish Premiership (5) than any other side. Prior to that, they had picked up more points than three sides in the division, but now find themselves eight points adrift at the bottom of the table.

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Nico Raskin returns to the Rangers squad after missing the game against Dundee through suspension.

Dujon Sterling, James Tavernier, John Souttar (groin), Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee), Jack Butland (leg), Leon Balogun and Tom Lawrence remain out.

St Johnstone could hand a debut to on-loan Swansea goalkeeper Andy Fisher, while Makenzie Kirk is back in contention following a minor niggle.

Barry Douglas (calf) and Cammy MacPherson (hip) are both back in full training and could be involved, but Uche Ikpeazu (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles) remain sidelined and Jason Holt is still suspended.

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St Johnstone have signed Panama midfielder Victor Griffith on a deal until summer 2026.

The 24-year-old joins from top-flight Club Deportivo Arabe Unido in his homeland and previously played for MLS side Portland Timbers.

"This is a big opportunity for me in my career and is a proud moment both for myself and my family," Griffith told club media, external.

"I have been training and working hard every day on the pitch and in the gym. I am ready for this big moment in my career."

Griffith is Scottish Premiership bottom club St Johnstone's second signing of the January window after goalkeeper Andy Fisher joined on loan from Swansea City.

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St Johnstone have recalled Taylor Steven from his loan spell with Irish Premiership side Cliftonville.

The 20-year-old winger, who joined Cliftonville on a season-long deal in August, departs having made 21 appearances, scoring four goals and providing three assists.

Steven has played 11 games for St Johnstone, who are eight points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership before a trip to Ibrox to take on Rangers on Sunday.

Simo Valakari has been in the spotlight since joining St Johnstone. But not for positive reasons.

Eight points adrift and eight games without a win, the Saints need to turn a corner and do so at speed.

The head coach admitted in the aftermath of the 3-1 defeat by Dundee that relegation is "a big possibility" and said in his press conference on Thursday he doesn't blame players for not wanting to join the club in January.

Not exactly a rallying cry, nor is it what St Johnstone fans will want to hear as additions appear a necessity for a team devoid of cohesion and confidence.

Positive results are paramount, and while few will fancy their chances against Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday, the performance and scoreline cannot afford to be disastrous.

The Finn has found himself in a downward spiral since pitching up in Perth. He desperately needs to find a lifeline before he, and the Saints, sink any deeper.

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari understands the protest of supporters following the recent home loss to Dundee. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Simo Valakari is refusing to use the need for new signings as an excuse for St Johnstone's plight at the bottom of the Premiership.

The Perth boss has so far added only goalkeeper Andy Fisher on loan from Swansea in the January window and admits potential recruits are wary of joining the struggling side.

"It would be an easy way out for me to say that I need seven, eight, nine, 10 new players, but then I would excuse myself for why we are not getting the results," said Valakari, who has overseen just three victories since taking charge in October.

"That's my first value, no excuses. So I always only talk to the players what we have here. That's why I'm disappointed, frustrated, angry. I feel I let down the fans, the club. I'm not getting these results. I'm taking full responsibility of that.

"We have still a couple of weeks open this window and we will see what can happen. Maybe sometimes it's only one piece you need to get these other pieces clicking again.

"It's not like we just change the whole team and we will play better."

Valakari is hopeful of securing another new signing before Sunday's trip to Rangers.

"Yes, we are, so hopefully we have some news pretty soon," he added.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Simo Valakari has been speaking to the media before St Johnstone face Rangers in the Premiership this weekend.

Here are the key points:

• On new loan goalkeeper Andy Fisher, Valakari says: "He comes here to fight for his position and we have now four goalkeepers. He has played at a high level. You can see the calmness of his actions. He knows what he's doing."

• The Perth boss accepts it is difficult to attract new recruits given the club are eight points adrift at the bottom, adding: "I don't blame the players because they see, they feel they have one career, they feel their reputation."

• The Finn says the "silver lining" is that if players are not "ready to take this fight" then they are not right for the club.

• Disappointing results weigh heavily on everyone at the club but Valakari says there is "very big resilience" and a determination to battle for survival.

• The Perth side have "nothing to lose" when they head to Ibrox on Sunday.

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St Johnstone say January signings are their "top priority" and have told the club's supporters they are "working relentlessly" towards that aim in a statement.

The Perth side have taken just 15 points from 22 league games this season and are eight points adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Simo Valakari made goalkeeper Andy Fisher his first January addition, with the Swansea goalkeeper joining on loan until the end of the season, but has seen both Lewis Neilson and Kyle Cameron recalled from their respective loan deals.

The Saints board now say those terminated loans will free up additional funds for Valakari and head of football operations Gus MacPherson as they attempt to build a squad that can stave off relegation.

The statement reads: "There is no sense in sugarcoating it: the recent results have been disappointing. While we, like you, are extremely frustrated by this, we want to assure you that no one at the club has given up on the season.

"Led by Simo and Gus, the football department is working relentlessly to improve the squad during this transfer window. We have earmarked funds to be spent on strengthening the team and that figure has increased further with recent loan terminations.

"Simo and Gus have held productive discussions with numerous skilled and dynamic players, who we believe will contribute to both this season and future campaigns. We are excited to strengthen our squad further.

"As soon as we are able, we will share further details of other transfers. However, it is important to note that we are not the only club pursuing these players. While the process may seem slower than we'd like, please know that it remains our top priority.

"Simo and our players have our full support. They are training hard, giving everything to turn our fortunes around."

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St Johnstone have signed Swansea City goalkeeper Andy Fisher on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 26-year-old was at MK Dons for two seasons before joining the Swans in the Championship in January 2022.

He has played 49 matches for the Welsh side but has not featured for almost a year.

"I am eager to play some games and to prove myself," he told the St Johnstone website. "I am hoping to show everyone what I can do and it is going to be a good challenge.

"The club has shown real interest in me from the start and I now want to come in and help the team as much as possible."

The Perth side sit bottom of the Scottish Premiership, having conceded 44 goals in 22 games.

On his style of play, the new arrival at McDiarmid Park added: "I like to say I am comfortable with the ball at my feet and I rate myself as a shot stopper.

"I like to keep a high line and sweep up from the back and help the team from set-pieces and crosses. Hopefully I will fit in nicely to the team here."

Sam Miller
Fan writer

The last time St Johnstone were relegated from the top flight in 2002, Sandy Clark started the season as gaffer.

Having him sitting in the stands behind me on Sunday felt like an unwanted omen.

For the first time watching the team, I was out the ground and back at the car before half three.

Realistically, I think we best start preparing for Championship football.

The problems with the squad have been evident for a while and I was expecting to wake up on 1 January with a queue of new signings ready to fire us up the table. No signings have been made.

And instead, we were treated to a 25-minute capitulation at home to Dundee.

Where does the blame lie?

There are many many potential candidates, but the mess from top to bottom needs fixed. And fixed now.

Sam Miller can be found at The Dogger Saints Podcast, external

We asked you where you'd like to see St Johnstone strengthen in the January window.

Most of you are saying the same thing...

Daniel: It would be quicker to list what St Johnstone don't need in January than what they do need. A keeper who doesn't hand goals to opponents is the priority, but virtually every position needs improved in some way.

Paul: Some experienced campaigners at the back and in central midfield, as well as an experienced keeper of course.

Ian: We need an experienced goalie, along with at least one decent centre-back, a right-back and a couple of wide midfielders. They all need to be comfortable playing the type of football Simo Valakari demands. I just doubt we'll have the budget to attract them, especially with the prospect of relegation looming large.

Les: We desperately need an experienced goalkeeper. A winger and a right-back and another striker would be a bonus.

Adam: First name should be a keeper. Josh Rae has been terrible all season and is Championship level at best. Full-back and some natural width needed as well, someone with a creative spark, a younger Graham Carey. Huge fear if we go down it'll be a struggle to get back up.

Jimmy: At this time, we need to see which players are available and will suit our style of play. Our budget isn't the best so we are limited with that. Loan players may be the way. I don't know exactly which players are out there, but we certainly need a good partner for Makenzie Kirk, a good midfielder and one in defence, we need players who can lead.