Kilmarnock Archives - SNN Sports

Saints Staring at Relegation after Comfortable Kilmarnock Victory

St Johnstone 0 – 2 Kilmarnock Kilmarnock continued their impressive post-split form with a comfortable 2-0 victory over a disjointed St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, leaving the home side facing a daunting challenge in their bid for Premiership survival. Derek McInnes’ men started with intent, early efforts from Fraser Murray and Danny Armstrong setting the tone before David Watson opened the scoring in the 12th minute. The midfielder collected the ball on the edge of the box and his well-struck shot nestled into the bottom left corner, beyond the reach of Andy Fisher. St Johnstone struggled to find any rhythm throughout the first half, several misplaced passes and heavy touches drew boos of the home faithful. Their best chance of the half fell to Uche Ikpeazu just before the break. A defensive lapse saw the ball fall kindly to the big striker at the back post, but Kieran O’Hara reacted sharply to produce a brilliant point-blank save from his close-range volley, ensuring Killie went into the interval with their lead intact. Kilmarnock were gifted a golden opportunity within minutes of the second half restart. Rory McKenzie was brought down in the box, and following a brief VAR review, Danny Armstrong dispatched the ensuing penalty straight down the middle, doubling the visitors’ advantage and effectively sealing the victory. The second half descended into a more attritional affair, with clear-cut chances few and far between. Substitute Adama Sidibeh offered an injection of pace for the Saints, but his efforts ultimately came to nothing against a resolute Kilmarnock defence. McInnes will be buoyed by his side backing up last week’s victory over Ross County with another clean sheet. He will also have been pleased to see club captain Kyle Vassell making his first appearance since January. The striker was all action in his 15 minute cameo, constantly menacing the St Johnstone back line, though he was unable to direct either of his two efforts on target. The defeat leaves St Johnstone facing a daunting challenge in the season finale, still sitting six points adrift at the foot of the table. They now face a pivotal encounter against Ross County at McDiarmid Park next weekend, a must-win clash in their fight for survival. For a buoyant Kilmarnock, it’s back to Rugby Park where they will aim to maintain their perfect record in the post-split fixtures with the visit of Dundee. Teams St Johnstone: Fisher Balodis Sprangler Douglas Carey Watt Griffith (Clark 64’) Steven Kirk (Sidibeh 64’) McPake (Franczak 79’) Ikpeazu Kilmarnock: O’Hara Mayo Findlay Deas Ndaba Armstrong (Vassell 77’) Donnelly Watson (Polwoth 89’) Wales (Mackenzie 46’) Anderson (Watkins 77’) Murray (Ramsay 86’) Manager Reactions Simo Valakari: “They can come here, Ross County, not to get beaten not to lose we need to win” Derek McInnes: “The form we’ve shown in the last few games has been pleasing, three clean sheets, three 2-0 wins, it’s the type of form I know we are capable of”

May 3, 2025

Celtic One Result Away from Title as Post-Split Premiership Fixtures Confirmed

Celtic could secure the Scottish Premiership crown on 26 April when they visit Dundee United, needing just a draw to mathematically confirm their dominance. The reigning champions hold a commanding 15-point advantage over Rangers with only five games left, putting them on the verge of a 13th league title in 14 seasons. In a post-split schedule that raises some familiar concerns about fixture balance, the SPFL has now confirmed the remaining fixtures for both the top and bottom halves of the table. The final Old Firm clash of the campaign is set for Sunday 4 May at Ibrox – a potentially fiery occasion even if the title is already wrapped up. Aberdeen kick off their top-six run with a home tie against Hibernian, while Rangers will travel to face St Mirren in their opener. The top-six fixtures will all conclude on Saturday 17 May with simultaneous 12:30 BST kick-offs. However, the post-split format has once again led to some uneven home-and-away tallies. Hibernian must travel to St Mirren for a third time this season, granting the Buddies 20 home matches and only 18 away. Motherwell, meanwhile, will end their campaign having played 20 away fixtures. It’s the first season since 2017-18 where fixture balance couldn’t be maintained across the league. At the other end of the table, St Johnstone begin their survival bid away to Motherwell. They sit bottom, five points behind the rest with time running out. Just six points separate seventh-placed Hearts from 11th-placed Dundee, with only the side finishing 12th relegated automatically. The team in 11th will enter the play-offs. Bottom-half clubs will conclude their campaigns a day later than the top six, with all games on Sunday 18 May at 15:00 BST. 🔝 Top Six Fixtures Saturday 26 April Dundee United v Celtic (12:30) Aberdeen v Hibernian (15:00) St Mirren v Rangers (15:00) Saturday 3 May Hibernian v Dundee United (15:00) St Mirren v Aberdeen (15:00) Sunday 4 May Rangers v Celtic (12:00) Saturday 10 May Celtic v Hibernian (15:00) Dundee United v St Mirren (15:00) Sunday 11 May Rangers v Aberdeen (12:00) Wednesday 14 May Aberdeen v Celtic (19:45) Rangers v Dundee United (19:45) St Mirren v Hibernian (19:45) Saturday 17 May (All 12:30) Celtic v St Mirren Dundee United v Aberdeen Hibernian v Rangers 🔻 Bottom Six Fixtures Saturday 26 April Hearts v Dundee (15:00) Kilmarnock v Ross County (15:00) Motherwell v St Johnstone (15:00) Saturday 3 May Dundee v Motherwell (15:00) Ross County v Hearts (15:00) St Johnstone v Kilmarnock (15:00) Saturday 10 May Hearts v Motherwell (15:00) Kilmarnock v Dundee (15:00) St Johnstone v Ross County (15:00) Wednesday 14 May Dundee v Ross County (19:45) Hearts v St Johnstone (19:45) Motherwell v Kilmarnock (19:45) Sunday 18 May (All 15:00) Kilmarnock v Hearts Ross County v Motherwell St Johnstone v Dundee

April 15, 2025

Buddies put five past Killie to keep top six hopes alive

St Mirren have ended a four-year winless run against Kilmarnock as they defeated them at home today. It is only Derek McInnes’ 2nd ever defeat to the saints as a manager and his first as the Killie boss. It gives St. Mirren a real boost going into the two final games before the split. For Kilmarnock it sees them teetering over the playoff places at the bottom of the table. Despite the rainy, windy and blustery conditions before kickoff the start of the game greatly contrasted with it, as it was a scintillating opening ten minutes. The Saints press and overlapping runs, put the Killie backline under pressure immediately. It didn’t take long for the opening goal as the saints first shot on goal put them ahead. A low driving shot from Boyd-Munce sizzled past McCrorie. Only moments later the home side put themselves further in front when Ayunga clashed with Mayo in the box leading referee Nick Walsh to point the spot. Idowu adopted a slow run up with a stutter before hitting the ball and he slid it into the back of the net to give the home side a two-goal advantage after only 10 minutes. Despite Killie having most of the possession they failed to capitalise on it. The second half kicked off to improved weather and from the whistle it would appear a better Killie team. However, this was short lived as in the 58th minute the home side went three ahead. A counterattack led to a corner which wasn’t dealt with by the Kille backline. The ball fell to the feet of Boyd-Munce who fired a powerful side foot shot past the keeper. The Saints then began to show their flare upon the hour mark as they began to control the possession of the game and play some good technical football. In the 65th minute the ball fell to Captain Mark O’Hara on the edge of the box. He brought the ball on to his right side and sent a fourth ball into the net of Killie. Only four minutes later the Hawaii Five-o tune blared across the stadium as Declan John received the ball on the left-hand side of the box and fired home the goal of the game with a venomous shot past McCrorie. In the 85th minute Killie were awarded a penalty after Joe Wright was brought down in the box. Anderson fired stopper Hemming but in reality, it was a conciliation goal from an afternoon to forget. After the game Assistant Manager Brian Kerr said; “I think the performance was excellent. I think it’s been coming to be honest. We’ve had real good performances over the last 7/8 weeks without the result to back that up”. A disappointed Derek McInnes said; “St Mirren were hands down smarter than us, more street wise than us and more clinical than us. They thoroughly deserved the three points today”. Killie now return home next Saturday to face off against Motherwell whereas St. Mirren travel up to face Dundee.

March 29, 2025

Imperious Oxborough keeps Killie to stalemate

Venue: Rugby Park Date: 08/01/25 Time: 19:45pm Aston Oxborough proved the difference as Kilmarnock struggled in front of goal, a result that left the home side two points off both the top six and relegation play off place. With a shot that would set the tone for the evening, Marley Watkins sent what should have been a simple finish from Fraser Murray’s low cross well wide. Motherwell were often forced into last ditch defending, captain Liam Gordon preventing Watkins getting on the end of Corrie Ndbaba’s ball into the box. Aston Oxborough did his part, denying Fraser Wright’s header from Murray’s corner with a brilliant save. His opposite number Robby McCrorie was called into action soon after, diving low to keep out Tony Watt. There was jubilation on the home bench when Brad Lyons put his side in front but joy soon faded as VAR judged the captain to have strayed offside. Lyons continued to push for a goal but his curling effort dipped a fraction too late, landing on the roof of the net. Kilmarnock continued to hammer on Oxborough’s door, Murray’s corner again came close to providing the opener but for a double clearance from Gordon and the keeper himself. Next it was the crossbar’s turn to deny Derek McInnes the three points, Lyons rattling the woodwork from another excellent Murray set piece. Watt fired another effort into McCrorie, whose evening was relatively straightforward compared to Oxborough who produced another fine save to deny Watkins. Killie front men struggle It’s fair to say this season has been a struggle for some of last year’s standout performers. Having bagged a combined 18 goals on their way to a European place last year, Marley Watkins and Darius Vassell have managed just 5 this season. It is difficult to pinpoint what exactly has seen the forwards look a shadow of their former selves, making the task of reaching the top half all the more complicated. Vassell remains injured but Watkins’ struggle to score a first league goal since October was epitomised by a wayward shot in the opening stages of game that would see only 3 of Killie’s 18 shots hit the target. Fortunately for McInnes, Bruce Anderson is enjoying a standing season, averaging over a goal every two games. Sitting just two points above the relegation play off place, the manager will need others to step up. Motherwell defy difficult results to maintain pace Part of what makes the Premiership so special is that it really the case that anyone can beat anyone (unless it’s Celtic). Nobody will know that better than Stuart Kettlewell, whose side have lost as many games as they have won (nine) but still remain just three points off Dundee United in third. With just one win in their last six and rivals constantly tripping up over themselves, Motherwell continue to look among the favourites to finish in the top half. Tonight, the crucial point was earned by Aston Oxborough who, after two seasons sitting patiently on the bench, has looked every bit of the 1.96m colossus he is between the posts. Unfortunately football remains a team sport and 0-0 draws will not get you into the European places. Especially when that position is threatened by a rampant Hibernian, now with four wins in six and five points behind. Come Saturday, both sides will meet in Edinburgh and Motherwell have an excellent opportunity to put some real distance between themselves and the rest. Attendance: 4,601 Line-Ups: Kilmarnock (3-4-2-1): R. McCrorie, R. Deas, J. Wright, L. Mayo, C. Ndaba (B. Anderson 78’), L. Polworth, K. Magennis (J. Burroughs 65’), B. Lyons (c), B. Wales, F. Murray (D. Armstrong 77’), M. Watkins Substitutes: B. Anderson, D. Armstrong, O. Bainbridge, J. Burroughs, L. Donnelly, G. Mackay-Steven, R. McKenzie, K. O’Hara, D. Watson Motherwell (3-4-2-1): A. Oxborough, D. Casey, L. Gordon (c) (P. McGinn 58’), K. Balmer, E. Wilson, A. Halliday (K. Andrews 76’), D. Zdravkovski, M. Kaleta (S. O’Donnell 76’), J. Vale (T. Sparrow 63’), T. Maswanhise (M. Ebiye 76’), T. Watt Substitutes: K. Andrews, S. Blaney, M. Ebiye, K. Hegyi, P. McGinn, S. Nicholson, S. O’Donnell, C. Slattery, T. Sparrow Referee: Don Robertson

January 9, 2025

Harmon strikes late at Kilmarnock to secure County’s third straight away win

Venue: Rugby Park Date: 05/01/25 Time: 15:00pm Ross County travelled back to Dingwall with their third consecutive away win, a result made all the more impressive considering they hadn’t recorded one since September 2023 prior to the run. In a lesson for the home side on how to take your chances, George Harmon was clinical in dispatching Noah Chilvers’s pass into the box with just minutes to play. Despite the result, Kilmarnock had the first real chance of the game. Fraser Murray used some fine footwork to create shooting space, forcing Jordan Amissah into a save he would need to double down on after it deflected back towards goal. However it wasn’t long before County began to impose themselves, Josh Nisbet did well to get in on goal but his centred shot made it all too easy for Robbie McCrorie to deal with. McCrorie was soon called on again, this time straining every muscle in his body to tip Connor Randall’s effort from far reaches of his box over the bar. No doubt buoyed by his earlier effort, Randall soon attempted a shot from outside the area but watched it sail over the bar. It took over an hour but eventually Kilmarnock got their first attempt on target albeit not one that troubled Amissah as David Watson could not get enough purchase on Fraser Murray’s cross. Murray’s next cross found Bruce Anderson who saw his shot deflected out for a corner but Kilmarnock could not make the set piece count. The result means Derek McInnes’ men now sit tenth, just one point above Hearts in the relegation play-off place. Attendance: 5,426 Line-Ups: Kilmarnock (4-4-2): R. McCrorie, C. Ndaba, L. Mayo, J. Wright, B. Lyons (c), F. Murray, (L. Donnelly (K. Magennis 63’), D. Watson, D. Armstrong (G. Mackay-Steven 84’), B. Anderson, I. Cameron ((M. Watkins 5’)(B. Wales 62’)) Substitutes: O. Bainbridge, A. Brown, J. Burroughs, R. Deas, G. Mackay-Steven, K. Magennis, K. O’Hara, B. Wales, M. Watkins Ross County (3-5-1-1): J. Amissah, C. Randall (c), K. Lopata, A. Wright, G. Harmon, J. Nisbet (V. Loturi 75’), N. Kenneh, J. Grieves (R. Hale 59’), J. Brown, N. Chilvers (C. Telfer 88’), J. White Substitutes: S. Allardice, E. Brophy, R. Hale, J. Hamilton, V. Loturi, J. Reid, J. Reid, M. Sheaf, C. Telfer Referee: Steven McLean

January 6, 2025

Aberdeen’s woes continue as Kilmarnock score four

Venue: Rugby Park Date: 26/12/24 Time: 15:00 Aberdeen’s abysmal form continued as Kilmarnock made sure they returned north without a win in seven games. In the face of a difficult season, Kyle Vassell stepped up to open the scoring for the home side, meeting Fraser Murray’s cross but needing a second stab at the ball to get it over the line. David Watson surrounded by three Aberdeen defenders finished a Danny Armstrong cross to deflate Jimmy Thelin’s men. Substitute Innes Cameron put paid to the visitors’ hopes with a deft chip after Murray continued to dazzle for Derek McInes’ side. Bruce Anderson’s finish in added time ensured it would be an even longer trip back to Aberdeen, who should have no qualms about the final score. The signs were there from the off with the Dons looking unrecognisable from the side that had been neck and neck with Celtic just weeks ago, David Watson putting the first big chance of the game wide was the start of an onslaught. Duk made a goal line clearance to prevent Joe Wright from putting Killie ahead. Nicky Devlin had a chance for the visitors but could not put his attempt on target. Bobby Wales continued his breakout season with an impressive performance but his cross late in the first half was unfortunate to not find a target to prod in a second. Dimitar Mitov continued to show why he has been an inspired signing despite the poor run of form, a fantastic save keeping out Murray from distance. The Kilmarnock forward could have scored not long after his first but could not direct his shot goal bound. With three points in their pocket the home side moved to within five points of the play off places. Attendance: 6, 846 Line-ups: Kilmarnock: R. McCrorie, C. Ndaba, J. Wright, L. Mayo, B. Lyons, F. Murray (O. Bainbridge 89′), L. Polworth (K. Magennis 84′), D. Watson, D. Armstrong (L. Donnelly 84′), K. Vassell (c) (B. Anderson 84′), B. Wales (I. Cameron 84′) Substitutes: B. Anderson, O. Bainbridge, J. Burroughs, I. Cameron, L. Donnelly, G. Mackay-Steven, K. Magennis, R. McKenzie, K. O’Hara Aberdeen: D. Mitov, J. MacKenzie, A. MacDonald, S. Rubezic, N. Devlin, G. Shinnie (c) (K. Nisbet 68′), S. Heltne Nilsen (A. Palaversa 61′), T. Keskinen (L. Clarkson 60′), J. McGrath, Duk, P. Ambrose (S. Morris 61′) Substitutes: R. Doohan, J. McGarry, G. Molloy, S. Morris, K. Nisbet, L. Clarkson, A. Palaversa, D. Polvara, E. Sokler Referee: Calum Scott

December 26, 2024

Killie added time penalty salvages point against Dundee United

Dundee United 1 – 1 Kilmarnock Kilmarnock’s struggles continued as they were held to a draw in Dundee, meaning they are now six games without a win. Sam Dalby continued his impressive form to give his side the lead only minutes in after replacement keeper Kieran O’Hara’s save landed at the striker’s feet. Kilmarnock equalised through Anderson’s spot kick in the 95th minute after Richard Odada gave away the penalty. Moult should have grabbed the first but his effort went fractionally wide and Dalby was unlucky to hit the post in the first half before his attacking endeavour was rewarded. Dundee United had a penalty claim denied after O’Hara collided with Dalby. Meanwhile Anderson had a chance for the visitors earlier in the game but his went straight into Jack Walton’s arms. Dundee United’s impressive season continues as they maintained their fourth place despite their status as the league’s promoted side. Attendance: 8,402 Line-ups: Dundee United: J. Walton, K. Holt, D. Gallagher, E. Adeboyega, W. Ferry, D. Babunski (R. Odada 84′), V. Sevelj, R. Strain, L. Stephenson (M. Thomson 95′), R. Strain, L. Moult (J. van der Sande 87′), S, Dalby Substitutes: K. Fotheringham, R. Graham, G. Middleton, R. Odada, D. Richards, O. Stirton, M. Thomson, M. Ubochioma, J. van der Sande Kilmarnock: R. McCrorie (K. O’Hara 60′), R. Deas (G. Mackay-Steven 87′), J. Wright, L. Mayo, F. Murray, C. Ndaba, L. Polworth (K. Magennis 87′), D. Armstrong (B. Wales 67′), B. Lyones, B. Anderson, K. Vassell (M. Watkins 87′) Substitutes: O. Bainbridge, J. Burroughs, G. Mackay-Steven, K. Magennis, R. Magennis, K. O’Hara, D. Watson, B. Wales, M. Watkins

December 7, 2024

Fair’s fair as Dundee hold Kilmarnock in even contest

Kilmarnock 1 – 1 Dundee Dundee remain in hot pursuit of a top six finish after holding an out of sorts Kilmarnock to a draw in an even contest. Lyall Cameron put the visitors in front after blasting home a clearance that had a landed at his feet. Tony Docherty will be disappointed his side could only hold onto the lead for three minutes when teenager Wales finished a clever lay off from Kyle Vassell. In truth the scoreline reflected the split in dominance with Dundee very much the stronger of the two in the first half. Robby McCrorie was tested early on at Rugby Park but Dundee struggled to break the deadlock despite their dominance. Simon Murray had an opportunity to put his side ahead with an open goal in front of him but missed the ball completely. Derek McInnes’ men grew into the second half, Gary Mackay-Steven kept out by a strong Jon McCracken save and was guilty of skying a golden opportunity not long after. There will not be any panic just yet for McInnes but his side, currently sat tenth, have now won just one of their last six games. Attendance: 5, 454 Line-ups: Kilmarnock: R. McCrorie, R. Deas, L. Mayo, J. Wright, F. Murray (B. Wales, 78), C. Ndaba, B. Lyons, G. Mackay-Stevens (D. Armstrong 75′), B. Anderson (L. Polworth 78′), K. Vassell (I. Cameron 87′), M. Watkins Substitutes: D. Armstrong, O. Bainbridge, J. Burroughs, I. Cameron, R. McKenzie, K. O’Hara, L. Polworth, D. Watson, B. Wales Dundee: J. McCracken, B. Koumetio, A. Portales, R. Astley, F. Roberston, L. Cameron, M. Sylla (E. Ingram 46′), J. McGhee, J. Mulligan (O. Adewumi 66′), S. Murray, S. Palrmer-Houlden Substitutes: O’Adewumi, S. Braybrooke, E. Ingram, S. Kelly, H. Sharp, S. Tiffoney, J. Vetro Referee: Ross Hardie

December 1, 2024

Killie fail to crack Saints

A glancing Makenzie Kirk header gave the Saints a much needed victory at McDiarmid Park. The result means Kilmarnock must now overcome a slump of their own if they are to fight their way back into the top six. Killie began the fixture looking like to home side but the Saints grew into the game quickly. Benjamin Kimpioka’s curling shot parried by Robby McCrorie was the closest either side would come to a goal in the first half. Joe Wright fired one for the visiting side from distance but it sailed over the bar. Danny Armstrong similarly unable to hit the target with a free kick of his own, the ball passing comfortably past Josh Rae’s left-hand side. David Watson’s thigh injury meant he was replaced by Fraser Murray at the break as manager Derek McInnes was hampered in his attempts to find an equaliser. The second half seemed to pick up where the first left off with few chances created. That was until Andre Raymond’s whipped cross was met by a fantastic header from Makenzie Kirk to open the scoring. St. Johnstone had lost their previous three games but you wouldn’t have guessed it judging by their performance, looking much improved with the ball at their feet as the game progressed. In something of a rarity, they also looked solid at the back. The fourteen corners they defended without conceding a marked improvement on weeks gone by. Meanwhile Killie’s struggles to find the target continued, Liam Donnelly firing yet another shot over the bar for the away side. His evening would soon go from bad to worse as a second yellow saw the midfielder leave his side a man short for the second time this season. Unable to crack the defence open, they make the trip home empty handed once again. Resolute Saints hold out The honeymoon had clearly ended for manager Simo Valakari but tonight’s result helped prevent disillusionment from rearing its head in Perth. Three defeats in a row did not spell the end of the world but the Saints had some questions to answer about their defensive solidity. With twenty-seven shipped in thirteen, they entered this fixture as the league’s leakiest backline. Fair to say an impressive display for only their second clean sheet of the season will have put some of those questions on the back-burner. A first start for Bozo Mikulic, Valakari’s first signing, saw him paired with Jack Sanders at the back. The duo keeping out Marley Watkins and Darius Vassell, no mean feat given the damage they’ve done to other teams this season. Difficult games against Rangers and Aberdeen await in the coming weeks but the display tonight will give the side now just three points off to top six a much needed boost. Killie yet to kick on A fifteen minute delay to kick-off was perhaps a bit of foreshadowing for the side still waiting to get their own season going. Finishing fourth represented a big achievement for the Ayrshire side last season but McInnes’ ambitions will not let him be satisfied with it being a once in a few years occasion. The European run had stunted their start to the campaign but a few months on and with the international breaks in between, tired legs have ceased to be an excuse. Now with three defeats on the trot, the manager will need to re-energise his side if they are to fight their way back into the top half, now sitting six points behind St. Mirren. As the game wore on it became difficult enough for them to score with eleven men, but Liam Donnelly’s second yellow made the task all the more difficult. It is the fifth time they have seen a man sent off this season. Speaking to SPFL News Now, McInnes’ acknowledged his frustrations with the performance of the officials but was quick to point that they had ‘not lost the game because the referee, I need to stress that’.

November 23, 2024

Preview – St. Johnstone vs Kilmarnock

Craig Levein picked up his only league win of the season the last time these sides met. Just over three months on from the 3-0 victory, Derek McInnes will hope to come away with the spoils and create some distance from the Perth club. We take a look at the biggest talking points from the sides separated by only two points. Killie waiting to kick into gear Six games without a win would have put most managers amongst the bookies’ favourites for the sack, but not Derek McInnes. It seems the man can do no wrong after guiding Kilmarnock into the European places last season, making Rugby Park into one of the league’s most difficult grounds to visit in the process. The subsequent play-off games as the side were knocked out the Europa and Conference Leagues proved to be too tiring for a squad that seemed to lack the depth to handle the congested fixture list. Results improved as the side recovered from tired legs, winning half their games since their exit, with Rangers another casualty of Killie’s giant-killing prowess. Unfortunately, their impressive fourth place finish last season means McInnes has become a victim of his own success. The bar has now been set and fans will expect a similar result come the end the season. In order to get anywhere near the upper echelons of the table again, they must find some consistency in their results. Defeats to Ross County and Dundee are not as easily forgiven as they once were and another to the Saints would be a further setback in Killie’s attempts to cement their place amongst the top sides. The manager’s job is by no means on the line, but will nonetheless be desperate to avoid being on the receiving end of another bloody nose. Saints must halt slow decline Simo Valakari will no doubt realise that attacking football is little comfort to fans if they find themselves looking at the drop. What started as the most promising kind of new manager bounce, with six points from nine (Rangers grabbing the difference), has turned into something of a mini-slump for the Saints. Three defeats on the trot have exposed the fault lines in the squad for all to see. A destructive attacking trio on their day, Benjamin Kimpioka, Nicky Clark and Adama Sidibeh have given new life to a squad that looked out of ideas only a couple of months ago. For all their promise going forward, St. Johnstone have failed to solve the conundrum that has plagued fellow strugglers Hibernian, how to prevent sides from cutting through them. With twenty-seven shipped this season, they are the league’s worst defensive unit. The poor form of Ross Sinclair and Josh Rae between the sticks has not helped matters either. If Valakari is impatiently counting down the days until he can make his first purchases to remedy the situation, he will need to keep one eye on the seven games before the window opens. Not making the most of the twenty-one points available could see them too far back for any signings to turn things around.

November 22, 2024

Kilmarnock

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