Eric Nicolson

United Kingdom

Writer at The Courier and Evening Telegraph (Dundee)

Host at Courier Talking Football: Dundee FC, Dundee United, St Johnstone and other east coast Scottish clubs

Writing for The Courier - a lot of the time about St Johnstone FC.

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Articles

St Johnstone line-up TWO more signings as Morton and Raith stars close in on Perth moves

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Eric Nicolson

St Johnstone are set to add two more Championship players to their squad for next season’s promotion push. Fresh from tying up Morton captain, Jack Baird, on a two-year contract, Simo Valakari is closing in on another double deal, Courier Sport understands. The Saints boss has lined up a SECOND Cappielow defender, Morgan Boyes. And he also wants to sign Raith Rovers forward, Jamie Gullan.
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari reveals where Taylor Steven must improve

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Eric Nicolson

Simo Valakari has challenged Taylor Steven to take his game to the next level after an impressive end to the Premiership season earned the youngster his first Scotland age-group call-up. The 20-year-old made 16 appearances for Saints after returning to Perth half-way through a season-long loan in Northern Ireland, starting every game of the post-split phase of the campaign. Steven’s displays at left-back led to Scot Gemmill selecting him for an under-20 friendly in Slovakia on Friday night.
Jack Baird signs for St Johnstone and makes Perth club pledge

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Eric Nicolson

St Johnstone signing Jack Baird has pledged to help his new team quickly get used to life as a Championship club. But the experienced centre-back, who has joined on a two-year deal from Morton to become the first part of Simo Valakari’s summer squad overhaul, wants to make sure it’s a short stay in the second tier for the McDiarmid Park side. “Honestly, I am absolutely over the moon,” said Baird, a dressing room leader in Greenock.
St Johnstone duo selected for international tournament in London

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Eric Nicolson

Two St Johnstone fringe players have been called up by their countries to play in an international tournament in London this week. Aaron Essel, currently on loan with North Texas Soccer Club in America, has been selected for the full Ghana squad for the Unity Cup, having previously been a regular for the under-23s. Andre Raymond, who spent the last few months of the season at Dunfermline and has now been transfer-listed, has been picked by Dwight Yorke for Trinidad and Tobago.
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari opens up on Graham Carey conversation

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Eric Nicolson

Graham Carey is hoping to go down the coaching route, according to St Johnstone boss, Simo Valakari. But the Irishman says Carey the manager might find Carey the player hard to deal with!Saints fans were treated to a few magic moments from the former Plymouth Argyle star over his three seasons at McDiarmid Park. Valakari decided not to offer the 35-year-old a fresh deal after his latest contract finished last weekend.
Simo Valakari gives Benji Kimpioka St Johnstone transfer saga verdict and reveals double blow it had on Perth club

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Eric Nicolson

The Benji Kimpioka transfer saga proved to be a double whammy for St Johnstone, Simo Valakari has admitted. According to the Perth boss, the Swedish striker emotionally checked out in January, which had an impact on and off the pitch. Not only did he become a shadow of the player who had reached double figures for goals by October, Kimpioka deprived Saints of a much-needed transfer kitty boost when none of the moves lined up proved to be to his liking.
St Johnstone target Morton captain Jack Baird

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Eric Nicolson

St Johnstone have lined up Morton captain, Jack Baird, as an early summer signing. The imposing centre-back is out of contract at Cappielow and Courier Sport understands Simo Valakari has identified him as a target to strengthen his backline. Baird, 29, was voted players’ player of the year on the back of an excellent season for the Greenock side in the Championship. He started his career at St Mirren, where he made over 100 appearances.
St Johnstone midfielder gives staying in Perth pledge and sends 'come back stronger' message

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Eric Nicolson

St Johnstone midfielder, Victor Griffith, has pledged to stay with the Perth club and help bring them back to the Premiership. The Panama international was one of several January transfer signings from abroad. Griffith made a good first impression with his new team but an ankle injury sustained at Kilmarnock halted that early momentum. He made three starts after the top-flight split but struggled to make an impact, like several others.
Alternative St Johnstone awards: 2024/25 own goals, gaffes and sitting on your goalie

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Eric Nicolson

There haven’t been many 2024/25 ‘bests’ as far as St Johnstone are concerned. Graham Carey’s long-range strike at Livingston in the Scottish Cup would have been a contender for goal of the season for any team in any year but, that apart, there has been very little to celebrate in a bleak, relegation campaign. So, instead of the usual post-season awards, Courier Sport has compiled an alternative list to draw a line under a wretched, best-forgotten 10 months of football.
Simo Valakari reveals St Johnstone signing strategy

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Eric Nicolson

St Johnstone boss, Simo Valakari, will prioritise the Scottish market as he seeks to build a squad tailor-made to win the Championship. Valakari has been assiduously studying the players who have been successful in the lower leagues and believes focusing on domestic talent in his recruitment is the best way of ensuring Saints quickly acclimatise to their new surroundings after being relegated from the top-flight.