One of the surprise packages of the Scottish Premiership season so far has been St Johnstone. After securing promotion by winning the Championship last year, there were understandable questions about whether Simo Valakari’s side could make the step up. A few months into the campaign, those doubts are beginning to look misplaced.
Sunday’s victory over Aberdeen was particularly significant, marking the Saints’ first away win in the topflight since February 2025. More importantly, it was another sign of a team continuing to progress under a manager who has successfully carried momentum from the Championship into the Premiership.
A huge amount of credit should go to the St Johnstone board. Relegation often brings pressure for change, and many clubs would have looked elsewhere after dropping out of the Premiership. Instead, the board placed their trust in Valakari and were rewarded with an immediate return to the topflight.
While Partick Thistle pushed them hard at times last season, St Johnstone still looked like the strongest side in the Championship. Achieving promotion is one thing, but dominating a competitive league is another. Just look at clubs such as Ross County and Livingston, who have discovered that bouncing back or adapting after relegation is far from straightforward.
What stood out about St Johnstone last season was not just the results but the way they achieved them. They played attractive, attacking football and have carried that philosophy into the Premiership. Their results already include impressive victories against Kilmarnock, Hibernian, and Aberdeen. They were unfortunate not to take something from their meeting with Celtic, while a missed Jamie Gullan penalty against St Mirren in August arguably denied them the chance to be sitting even closer to the league’s top positions.
Before the season began, there were possible concerns about whether the squad possessed enough Premiership-quality players. Many of their key figures, including Sam Stanton, Rhys McLear, Jamie Gullan and summer signing Matty Todd, built their reputations in the Championship. The challenge for any promoted side is proving that those players can make the transition to a higher level.
So far, several individuals have done exactly that.
At the back, Diabate has been particularly impressive. The defender combines pace with physicality, is strong in the air and looks comfortable when playing out from the back. He has all the attributes required to compete consistently at Premiership level.
In midfield, Rhys McLear continues to catch the eye. Tall, athletic and technically gifted, he drives forward with the ball and has the confidence to influence games all over the pitch. His free-kick goal against Morton last season highlights his quality, and his partnership alongside the experienced Jason Holt has become one of the foundations of the team’s success.
As important as those players have been, football teams are often judged by the effectiveness of their number nine, and Josh Fowler has delivered exactly what St Johnstone need. Currently the league’s top scorer with five goals, he has found the net in every league match St Johnstone have won this season. His goals have turned encouraging performances into valuable points.
Much like Falkirk’s impact after promotion in recent years, St Johnstone have brought an attractive brand of football to the division. They’re organised, ambitious and capable of competing with established Premiership sides. Given the inconsistent starts made by clubs such as Hibernian and Aberdeen, it would not be a surprise to see the Saints emerge as genuine contenders for a top-six finish.
The season is still young, but St Johnstone have already shown that they are more than just a promoted side making up the numbers. Under Valakari, they look like a club with a clear identity, growing confidence and every chance of becoming one of the Premiership’s success stories this season.
