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6 days ago | 
thecourier.co.uk | Sean Hamilton
In Arbroath’s darkest hour, Brian Cargill was waking up in the middle of the night, responding to text messages from all over the world, desperate to bank the money that would put the Angus side back on track to success. Newly-appointed Arbroath chairman Cargill, a retired civil engineer, quite literally rebuilt the Angus club brick-by-brick after the 2020 Covid lockdown threatened its stability.
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1 month ago | 
thecourier.co.uk | Sean Hamilton
St Johnstone are fighting for their Premiership lives with just five games remaining. Under the circumstances, a Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic could be seen as an unnecessary distraction. But Graham Carey insists a last-four Hampden clash with the Hoops is just what Saints need before heading into their do-or-die post-split fixtures. “It’s better than having a week off,” he said. “I think we’ll be in a bit more of a rhythm going into the split [off the back of the semi-final].
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1 month ago | 
thecourier.co.uk | Sean Hamilton
Too many of St Johnstone’s problems this season have been self-inflicted. That it was no different at Tannadice will feel particularly frustrating for everyone connected with the club, given the hard work that went into last weekend’s incredible win over Celtic. Everything came together against the Hoops. It didn’t exactly fall apart in the City of Discovery – Saints were comfortable for long spells against their Europe-chasing hosts.
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1 month ago | 
thecourier.co.uk | Sean Hamilton
Simo Valakari would prefer St Johnstone were closer to their relegation rivals as they enter the split. But the Saints boss insists his side’s fight for survival is still well and truly on, despite a “frustrating” defeat to Dundee United. Saints were in control early on against the Tangerines, having won the toss and turned the home team around.
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1 month ago | 
thecourier.co.uk | Sean Hamilton
Zach Mitchell reckons a widespread belief that St Johnstone are destined for the drop is helping to fuel Simo Valakari’s revival against relegation. Saints defied the odds and the doom-mongers to stun Celtic last Sunday – less than 24 hours after wins for Kilmarnock and Dundee seemed to seal their fate. The dynamic in the Saints camp was entirely unaffected by Saturday’s scoreline setbacks. Now Valakari’s side travel to Tannadice seeking another upset against European hopefuls Dundee United.
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1 month ago | 
thecourier.co.uk | Fraser Mackie |Sean Hamilton
Simo Valakari hopes a return to Tannadice provides a platform for atonement for St Johnstone striker Adama Sidibeh. The Gambian was infamously sent off twice in the 2-0 defeat to Dundee United under Craig Levein back in August. Sidibeh picked up a second yellow card for a foul then an additional red from Don Robertson for retaliating to Kevin Holt.
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1 month ago | 
thecourier.co.uk | Fraser Mackie |Sean Hamilton
Uche Ikpeazu has taken a significant stride towards a much-delayed St Johnstone debut. The striker, who has undergone three knee operations since signing last summer, participated in a ‘modified’ first team training session on Friday. Simo Valakari was at pains not to set any targets, in light of the multiple setbacks already suffered by Ikpeazu on his arduous rehab trail. However, he welcomed the development of the 30-year-old moving his comeback on to football-related work.
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1 month ago | 
thecourier.co.uk | Sean Hamilton
Simo Valakari has ordered St Johnstone to ensure their shock win over Celtic becomes a springboard to a renewed survival surge. The Saints boss is intent that the heroic 1-0 victory must count for something come the middle of next month. The first test of his team’s ability to build on their remarkable Sunday success over the champions is away to Dundee United on Saturday. Valakari believes beating Celtic is meaningless when it comes to planning for a vastly different test at Tannadice.
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1 month ago | 
thecourier.co.uk | Sean Hamilton
St Johnstone have announced long-serving youth chief Alistair Stevenson is to step down from his role at McDiarmid Park. Stevenson, whose association with Saints stretches back to 1993, will call time on his stint as head of the club’s youth academy at the end of June. In recognition of his “immeasurable” contribution to the St Johnstone cause, he will be inducted into the club’s hall of fame at an event later this year.
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1 month ago | 
thecourier.co.uk | Sean Hamilton
Simo Valakari insists St Johnstone’s stunning defeat of Celtic has provided a huge injection of confidence – and vindication for their methods – ahead of the relegation run-in. Saints secured a timely first victory of the season against a top-six side by bringing down the champions-elect at McDiarmid Park. Valakari was thrilled by the response to not only the poor 3-0 loss to Hibernian the previous week but the deflating Saturday setbacks of Kilmarnock and Dundee both winning.
