St Johnstone Archives

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

Scottish Football: A Broken System That Needs Fixing

Scottish football is in crisis. The league structure is outdated, TV deals are laughable, and youth development is stagnant. Fans are desperate for change, but the decision-makers continue to bury their heads in the sand. Joe Quinn, a former SPFL scout, has had enough. His proposal isn’t just a tweak to the system—it’s a complete overhaul. The question is, will Scottish football finally listen, or will self-interest and inaction win again? The Root of the Problem: A Game Run by Self-Preservation Scottish football is a closed shop. Quinn argues that change doesn’t happen because too many people in power benefit from keeping things exactly as they are. Whenever real reform is proposed, clubs and officials close ranks, protecting their own positions rather than the health of the game. Fans already know the issues: the league is predictable and stale, smaller clubs get a raw deal, Scottish talent is leaving in droves, and the women’s game is consistently underfunded and ignored. Quinn’s proposal isn’t just another discussion paper—it’s a radical blueprint to drag Scottish football into the modern era. But will those in charge finally step aside for progress? The 14-14-14 League Model: Genuine Reform or a New Coat of Paint? One of Quinn’s most controversial ideas is a 14-14-14 league structure designed to increase competition, fairness, and financial stability. The potential benefits are clear: fewer repetitive fixtures, proper promotion and relegation battles, and more clubs at the top level. On paper, it makes sense. But history tells us good ideas don’t always make it past the SPFL boardroom. Mid-table clubs happy with the status quo will fight this to the bitter end. The SPFL has a habit of discussing reform, only to back down when it matters most. Will this time be different? Ditching Gambling Sponsors: Ethical Stand or Financial Suicide? Scottish football is swimming in gambling sponsorships. Betting logos are plastered across shirts, advertising boards, and broadcasts. Quinn’s plan calls for an outright ban, following the example set by the English Premier League. The moral argument? Clear-cut. Gambling addiction destroys lives, and football shouldn’t be complicit in feeding the problem. The financial reality? A nightmare. Clubs, particularly those outside the Premiership, rely on gambling sponsorships to stay afloat. If the SPFL cuts ties with the industry, where does the replacement funding come from? Quinn believes it’s the right move in the long term, but without a clear financial alternative, this could cripple smaller clubs. The League Cup: Time to Stop the Snoozefest Quinn is clear on this: the League Cup group stage is a glorified pre-season exercise. Fans aren’t engaged, clubs don’t take it seriously, and the format is uninspiring. His solution? Scrap the groups, return to a straight knockout competition, and inject real jeopardy and excitement back into the tournament. It’s a simple, logical fix. Whether the SPFL will embrace it is another matter entirely. Youth Development & Women’s Football: Time for Real Investment Scottish football prides itself on producing top talent. But in reality, Quinn believes the system is failing young players. The best prospects leave Scotland at the first opportunity, the women’s game grows despite, not because of, governing body support, and clubs treat youth and women’s football as an afterthought rather than a priority. His proposal calls for real, sustained investment—not just PR soundbites and token gestures. If Scottish football wants a strong future, it has to stop relying on the accidental emergence of “golden generations.” TV Deals: Why Does Scotland Keep Selling Itself Short? Scottish football’s TV contracts are, frankly, embarrassing. Sky Sports cherry-picks matches and does the bare minimum to promote them, clubs earn a fraction of what smaller European leagues generate from broadcasting deals, and fans are either overcharged or locked out entirely. Quinn demands a more aggressive approach to negotiating TV rights. Germany and other European nations offer free-to-air matches. Why is Scotland still accepting scraps? According to Quinn, the SPFL’s usual excuse is “It’s the best deal we can get.” He disagrees. In his view, Scottish football’s leaders don’t fight hard enough for a better deal. Will Anything Actually Change? Scottish football has heard big ideas before. We’ve seen bold proposals, promising plans, and endless discussions. And yet, nothing changes. This time, though, the pressure is mounting. Fans are growing restless. The game is losing relevance. If the SPFL and SFA continue to ignore these problems, they risk losing an entire generation of supporters. So, will Quinn’s plan finally force real action? Or will it be another great idea destined to gather dust? Have Your Say Is Scottish football stuck in the past? Would you support these changes? Let us know in the comments or join the conversation on social media using #SNNSports

April 2, 2025

Hibs cruise past Saints in first gear to go 15 unbeaten

St Johnstone gave their survival chances little hope, leaving Easter Road without having put up any semblance of a fight. With far too much room to manoeuvre Junior Hoilett fired a brilliant curling shot into the top corner in the 18th minute. Failing to heed the warning of the first, St Johnstone were soon two down before the half-hour mark courtesy of a cute finish from talisman Martin Boyle. Kieron Bowie continued to impress since returning from a long term injury, winning Hibs a penalty in the dying minutes of the game. Calmly slotting his penalty home to see Hibs slip away, sealing the already secured three points. Despite finding themselves five points adrift at the bottom of the table, St Johnstone played in a far more relaxed fashion than their status suggested. Under little pressure at the back but struggling to create any opportunities of note as Hibernian harangued them on the break, there was little for Jordan Smith to do on the day. A first half that could have been far worse for Simo Valakari had Mykola Kuharevich not missed a gilt-edged chance with the goal at his mercy following Boyle’s low cross. Beyond a powerful shot from Kieron Bowie, well saved by Andy Fisher, there was little of note to speak of until the eventual penalty, the visitors unable to put together a dangerous attack despite the flurry of changes from the manager at the interval. Victory means Hibs have suffered just one defeat from the last eighteen in all competitions. St Johnstone meanwhile could find themselves eight points off the relegation play-off places should Dundee pull off an unlikely victory at home to Rangers. Line-ups: Hibernian: Smith, Iredale, Bushiri, Miller, Obita, Levitt (Manneh 74), Triantis, Cadden, Hoilett (Campbell 88), Kuharevich (Bowie 65), Boyle (c) (Gayle 74) Unused subs: Bursik, Molotnikov, Ekpiteta, Moriah-Welsh, O’Hora Booked: Iredale Goals: Hoilett (18), Boyle (29), Bowie (90+5) St Johnstone: Fisher, Douglas (Carey 59), Mitchell, Balodis, Wright (Steven 46), Holt, Sprangler (c), Curtis (Duke-McKenna 46), Svedberg (Clark 82), Griffith, Kirk (Kimpioka 46) Unused subs: Sidibeh, Sinclair, Smith, Steven, Watt Booked: Sprangler, Svedberg, Holt Goals: Referee: Mathew MacDermid

March 29, 2025

Super Sub Carey secures Saints ticket to Hampden

Venue: The Home of The Set Fare Arena Time: 19:45 Date: 10/03/25 St Johnstone grabbed a late winner to advance them to the semi-finals in what was a game of two halves. After a slight delay to kick-off due to the travelling fans’ firework display, the game was underway. After a cross into the box found him unmarked, Jason Holt had an early chance at the far post. Holt was unable to make any real contact on it, though, leaving the game 0-0. The first card came just four minutes in as Duke-McKenna was second to the ball when challenging Jamie Brandon. As a result, Livingston had a free kick and their first chance. A well-delivered set piece found Robbie Muirhead, but his header was well saved by Andrew Fisher. Another chance came Livingstons’ way as Andrew Shinnie got onto the end of a loose ball. He took his touch to compose himself at the edge of the box but fired his shot just wide of the post. After an impressive start, Livingston had yet another chance. A long throw was met by Danny Wilson, whose header was once again saved by Fisher. 20 minutes in, Adama Sidibeh had the ball in the back of the net. A cross from the right found him alone at the penalty spot. However, his goal was chopped off due to an offside. In the 25th minute, Muirhead had the biggest chance of the game. Tete Yengi laid the ball to him just outside the six-yard box. However, he fired his shot way over the bar. The second booking came 33 minutes into the game, as Ryan McGowan fouled Sidibeh on the halfway line. Preventing a St Johnstone counterattack. As halftime approached, the home side looked far more comfortable in the game. They created more chances and prevented the away side from having any real time on the ball. St Johnstone lacked possession and were second to most balls, stopping them from having any real threat. It was the away team with the first chance in the second half. After a free kick, the ball found its way to MaKenzie Kirk, who had his effort at goal saved. Ten minutes into the second half, St Johnstone looked the better team. They got the ball down more and controlled the game. Livingstons first chance of the second half came courtesy of Yengi. His run and pass to Stephen Kelly gave him the chance of a shot. However, the finish lacked compusure and was put over the bar. Graham Carey opened the scoring just minutes after being subbed on. The left-footed shot from way outside the box sailed into the top right corner, leaving Jerome Prior watching as the ball flew in. In the 84th minute, St Johnstone had a huge chance to put the game to bed. Jason Holt made his way to the by-line, cutting it back to Drey Wright. However, his shot was hit with too much power and finished far over the bar. For a moment, Livingston had 12 players on the field. It took Don Roberston a short time to realise, and the mistake was quickly rectified with play resuming. Livingston failed to capitalise on their first-half dominance, allowing St Johnstone to take control in the second-half. St Johnstone came out in the second half the better team, taking their chance and winning the game. Graham Carey wonder strike It took until the 73rd minute of the game for a team to score. It was the away team who managed to gain the advantage. After the ball found its way to Carey, he took his touch and thundered his effort into the top corner, clipping the bar on its way in. The St Johnstone fans erupted as it looked to secure their ticket to Hampden. Graham Carey was not long on the pitch, and his goal will certainly be one to remember. Managers Comments: David Martindale: “We had more than enough chances to win the game. Two big saves from Fisher and poor executions from us with other chances” Simo Valakari: “We needed some Magic; we needed some heroics. Andy Fisher kept us in the game…We changed our defensive shape at half time, and I think that made the second half much, much easier for us. Then again, we need some magic, a hero, and Graham Carey gave us that.” Referee: D.Robertson Attendance:2,503 Lineups: Livingston: J.Prior, R.McGowan, S.Pittman(R.Fraser), T.Yengi, S.Kelly, J.Brandon(M. Clarke), A.Shinnie(M.Ubochnioma), R.Muirhead(D.Finlayson), M.Tait, C.Montano(R.McAleer), D.Wilson Subs: J.Hamilton, M.Clarke, R.McAlear, R.Fraser, L.Smith, D.Finlayson, M.Ubochioma, M.Nottingham. Manager: D.Martindale St Johnstone: A. Fisher, D.Balodis, Z.Mitchell, J.Holt, O.Svedberg(G.Carey), A.Sidibeh, S.Duke-McKenna(D.Wright), S.Sprangler, M.Kirk, B.Douglas, S.Curtis Subs: R.Sinclair, N.Clark, G.Carey, D.Wright, T. Steven, J. McPake, B.Kimpioka, E.Watt Manager: S.Valakari

March 11, 2025

SPFL Weekly: Five Talking Points

Rangers’ second-half performance saves Barry Ferguson’s embarrassment, Hibbies go 14 games unbeaten and Hearts move into top six. There was also a debut home win for new ‘Well boss Michael Wimmer, St Johnstone closes the gap at the bottom, and Celtic win emphatically in unconvincing display. Here’s our round-up of the big talking points from Matchday 28 in the 2024/25 SPFL season. AvenGERS thrust into blockbuster action A heroic second-half performance saw the Light Blues come from two goals down to defeat Killie 4-2. The script replicated a typical superhero blockbuster with the protagonist struggling against a grave threat, only to overcome it in the picture’s second half. Cyriel Dessers was the hero who saved Barry Ferguson, the man chosen as Phillipe Clement’s successor on Monday. Dessers’ two decisive goals carried the Light Blues into the lead to give the interim manager his first SPFL victory. Throughout the first half, Ranger’s defence was terrorized by Kilmarnock’s front two, Bobby Wales and Marley Watkins, prompting Ferguson to make the bold decision to hook French centre-back Clinton Nsiala after just 30 minutes. A goal from Vaclav Cerny ten minutes before half-time gave them hope, and the team talk from boss Captain Hamilton must have helped rally the gang as his team put on a gritty and determined performance in the second half. A tired Kilmarnock ran out of steam as the game wore on, and the Glasgow side only grew in confidence. Ferguson’s team must continue to perform to close the 13-point gap on Celtic. Is there a Hollywood ending in sight, or is it too little or too late? All eyes will be on this weekend’s sequel as Motherwell visits Ibrox. Unbe-Leith-able! Hibs march on Hibernian extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches after late goals from Kieron Bowie and Junior Hoilett, which gave them a dramatic 3-1 victory at Tannadice. Their goals came after Dundee United had a second-half leader disallowed for handball in the second half following a lengthy VAR check. Jim Goodwin was incensed by the decision, but referee Dermot Gallagher on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch agreed with the VAR’s decision that Sam Dalby headed the ball onto his arm. The positive vibes continue to build in Leith following the announcement that they have signed Aberdeen’s Jamie McGrath on a pre-contract deal, and Hibs owner plans to make £7m donation to cover club losses. Wimmer feels at home Michael Wimmer experienced his first taste of victory on his Fir Park debut following his arrival last week. Attendance last night was at 4,258, and the home fans would have been excited to see how their new boss got their team playing. However, it was set pieces where they looked most dangerous. Defender Dan Casey scored the two goals to stop the Lanarkshire side’s rot, leading them to their first win in eight matches. The game also saw a landmark for ‘Well midfielder Callum Slattery, who made his 100th appearance for the Steelmen, with his first appearance coming against Annan Athletic just over four years ago. The visitors, Dundee, will now look over their shoulder as they have now lost five games in a row, leaving them three points off bottom spot. Jammin’ Jambos into top six Hearts fought a challenging game, coming from behind to beat St Mirren 3-1, which saw them leapfrog the Paisley side. Victory has taken them into the top six for the first time since August. 17-year-old James Wilson got the equaliser and won man of the match, amusingly posing post-match with a bottle of rum that his parents probably don’t want him drinking. The goal that put the Jambos ahead at Tynecastle was by Calem Nieuwenhof, who was making his first start in almost a year. Hearts manager Neil Critchley told BBC Sport after the game: “It was a really tough game. I didn’t think we were at our best, but we’re finding ways to win games. “We weren’t clean or efficient in our play. I wouldn’t say sloppiness but not our usual selves on the ball. But moments went for us, and we showed real grit and resilience.” Hearts now have eight wins in their last 10 in all competitions. Their next game? Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday. Saints close the gap St Johnstone’s 1-0 victory over top-six hopefuls Ross County significantly boosts their fight for Premiership survival. Only 3 points now separate them and Dundee, who are above them in the play-off relegation spot with 10 games left to play. Fans at McDiarmid Park will feel better about themselves after the win following back-to-back defeats. Mackenzie Kirk’s close-range finish was the decisive goal that, despite a slim scoreline, was a thoroughly deserved result. County ‘keeper Jordan Amissah put in an inspired performance to keep the Saints at bay and the scoreline respectable. Saints Manager Simo Valakari told BBC Sport about the importance of the result: “It was a big win. This match was our most must-win game for our hopes for the rest of the season.” “I’m most happy with how the players performed in this high-pressure game.” County came into this with four wins from their previous five away league games. Their fans were hopeful of the top six but now will have one eye on what’s happening behind them as they still are worryingly close to the relegation play-off spot. League Table

February 27, 2025

Saints sink County and edge closer to shore

St Johnstone showed their are no shoe-ins for the drop, beating Ross County 1-0 to narrow the gap to the relegation play-off to just three points. A scrappy and keenly contested affair, it would be Makenzie Kirk to the rescue in the 66th minute to give Simo Valakari’s side the first and last word, Akil Wright’s slip-up with the ball at his feet leaving the hosts all the ammunition they needed to fire ahead. Although it might have belonged to Stephen Duke-McKenna were it not for an excellent save from Jordan Amissah to deny the midfielder’s free-kick from range. Amissah was at hand to deny Kirk, getting low to deny the striker before stopping Sam Curtis with an arguably more impressive save to deny Curtis’ diving header. County struggled to produce any opportunities of note, Connor Randall failing to hit the target his long distance shot before Eli Campbell at least hit the target with his headed effort, albeit straight into the welcoming palms of Fisher. Saints give themselves fighting chance A nine game run that produced two solitary points left St Johnstone to live a solitary existence, condemned by many to the drop. Well 9 points from the next available 15 and the story looks slightly different these days. Kirk was the difference maker tonight, but not for the first time this season after grabbing the only goal in their 1-0 win over Kilmarnock just three months ago. How crucial will he be in helping to haul his side to safety as they travel to face a Dundee side in free fall. No magic on the road from County Perennial relegation dogfighters have turned the tables of pre-conceived notions this season. Not only keeping themselves away from the relegation play-off that seemed to have their names etched in people’s minds, but becoming on the league’s better travelling sides. Four wins from five away from home leading up to this tie made Don Cowie’s side a real danger but it wasn’t to be on the night. Unable to produce any real moments of quality and saved from further damage by the heroic Jordan Amissah. County remain closer to the top half than 11th but will no how easily things can change. Victory at home to Kilmarnock could be a big step towards the former. Line-ups: St Johnstone: Fisher, Wright (Douglas 46), Mitchell, Balodis, Duke-McKenna, Holt, Sprangler (c), Curtis, Svedberg (Carey 58), Kirk, Sidibeh (Clark 74) Unused subs: Franczak, McPake, Sinclair, Smith, Steven, Watt Booked: Douglas, Fisher Goals: Kirk (66) Ross County: Amissah, Campbell, Łopata (Grieves 76), Tomkinson, Harmon (Ashworth 76), Chilvers (Nisbet 65), Randall (c), Kenneh, Wright, Hale (White 46), Phillips (Robesten 46) Unused subs: Allardice, Ashworth, Grieves, Laidlaw, MacLeod, Smith Booked: none Goals: none Referee: Dan McFarlane Attendance: 3,576

February 27, 2025

SPFL Weekly: Five Talking Points

Rangers gave Philippe Clement his marching orders, Hibernian defeated a lethargic Celtic, there was no new manager bounce for Motherwell, and the cool-as-ice Kabangu kept Hearts ticking. Meanwhile, Ross County continued their push for the top six, and Aberdeen stave off capitulation with back-to-back wins. Here’s our round-up of the big talking points from Matchday 27 in the 2024/25 SPFL season. Clement sacked – Who’s next? Rangers 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren was the straw that broke the camel’s back. A dismal showing at Ibrox sealed Philippe Clement’s fate in a week filled with speculation about a potential US-led takeover by San Francisco 49ers’ investors. His dismissal came just hours after our report last night, which anticipated the club’s official announcement. After the match, Clement apologised to the fans, telling BBC Sport: “I can only say sorry and apologise [to the Rangers fans] from me and the team. This is not what Rangers teams need to show on the pitch. We all know this was by far below the standards we all expect.” However, for Rangers supporters, it was too little, too late. Some even set up a JustGiving page to fund his rumoured £1.2 million compensation fee. During his 16-month tenure, Clement showed rare glimpses of promise, particularly in Europe, where Rangers secured automatic qualification for the Europa League round of 16. Yet, he struggled to translate those performances into domestic success, leaving the club 13 points adrift of league leaders Celtic. Attention now turns to his long-term successor, with former Everton boss Sean Dyche, ex-Rangers title-winning manager Steven Gerrard, club legend Barry Ferguson, and former Light Blues midfielder Gennaro Gattuso all linked. Ferguson has been announced by the club to manage until the end of the season. VAR controversy mars heroic Hibs performance The heat on VAR grows with Brendan Rodgers’ latest comments following Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Hibernian. An equaliser for Celtic was ruled out in the second half after the VAR overruled the on-field officials. Their decision was that Alistair Johnston crossed the ball after it was out of play, with the linesman originally calling it in. Regarding the controversy, Rodgers told BBC Sport: “I was very disappointed we didn’t get that, especially when the linesman didn’t think it was out. He probably has the best view. “I don’t know how you can tell the ball is definitely out from an image from the 18-yard line. We need to see evidence the ball was out. If you don’t have that, you’re having a guess.” However, the debate surrounding the decision has unfairly overshadowed Hibernian’s outstanding and fully deserved performance. They fought with grit and determination to withstand Celtic’s attacks while capitalising on a fatigued Hoops defence in transition. A defining moment came when Rocky Bushiri heroically cleared the ball off the goal line following a surging run from Jota, sparking a deafening roar from the home crowd. By the final whistle, as Sunshine on Leith echoed around Easter Road, there could be no denying that Hibs had earned their moment of celebration. No new manager bounce for the ‘Well One could forgive the neutral fan who gave little thought to this fixture last weekend. However, there has been renewed interest following the appointment of Michael Wimmer as Motherwell’s manager. The German spoke about bringing “intensity, energy, and passion” to proceedings. Still, there was little evidence of this in the first half of a 1-0 defeat to Dundee United. Both sides came into the game in poor form, but the Tangerines struck first and stopped the Lanarkshire side from having a new manager bounce. The visitors did react positively in the second half but lacked the clinical edge to get back into the match. On the second-half performance, Wimmer told BBC Sport: “We can work with the second half. It was really good. It was aggressive, we had opportunities, and we played forward. That’s what we want to see.” The Steelmen are now on their joint longest losing streak in ten years and worryingly looking over their shoulders at the teams behind them in the table. Kabangu injection saves Hearts Nine years ago, the Perth club witnessed a bejewelled Elton John in a stellar concert at McDiarmid Park, singing hits such as Crocodile Rock and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. This weekend, they saw another Elton dazzle before their eyes. Elton Kabangu, the January recruit from Hearts. The Belgian scored twice in a 2-1 away victory to see Hearts look towards the top six and European places. Putting aside last week’s disappointing home result to Rangers, where he failed to take his chances, he was a thorn in the Saints’ side throughout and put away two clinical finishes to take his toll up to six goals from seven games. Hearts boss Neil Crichtley told BBC Sport about his performance: “I’m delighted for Elton Kabangu to get two goals after his disappointment last week. He’s such a great personality to have at the training ground every day. I thought he was fantastic again.” The Saints are running out of games to turn things around, languishing six points adrift at the bottom of the table. Their manager, Simo Valakari, joined the club in October to do just that. With each passing game, that is looking increasingly less likely, and preparations for the Championship may lie ahead. Battle for top six Ross County is on an excellent run of form, with five wins from their last 9. Their only two defeats from that run came against the two Glasgow giants. They came from behind this weekend to beat Dundee 3-1. On the performance, Cowie told BBC Sport: “I was most pleased with how we responded to going behind, we were not spooked by it and deservedly got back in the game at 1-1. “We came out the traps flying after half-time and scored two goals. A fantastic win, and it keeps the momentum going.” The man from Inverness has given the Dingwall fans hope, as the club is only two points off the

February 24, 2025

Drama, Decisions & Deciders: Scottish Football Managers in the Spotlight!

With a crucial Champions League showdown looming, Brendan Rodgers has issued a rallying cry to his Celtic squad—go bold or go home! The Hoops boss is urging his side to seize the moment in Germany, where they must overturn a 2-1 deficit against Bayern Munich to keep their European dream alive. Meanwhile, Bayern’s own Vincent Kompany is playing it cool, suggesting that his side’s 0-0 draw with Bayer Leverkusen was the perfect defensive test ahead of Celtic’s visit. But could Jota shake things up? The Portuguese winger has surely staked his claim for a starting spot after a dazzling performance in Celtic’s 3-0 win over Dundee United. Speaking of Dundee United, Jim Goodwin insists that Will Ferry and Kevin Holt were merely rested against Celtic and should be back in action next week. Nothing to see here, folks—just a precaution! Over at Rangers, Philippe Clement is facing the heat. His side’s shock Scottish Cup exit to Queen’s Park has left fans fuming, and his decision to hook Bailey Rice at half-time didn’t go unnoticed. The 18-year-old was dropped for failing to “break the lines” with his passing, but Clement insists he still believes in the youngster. With pressure mounting, Clement is standing firm, refusing to walk away from what he calls the “toughest period” of his career. Elsewhere in Scottish football, Hibs’ new shot-stopper Jordan Smith has been left “blown away” by the standard of the game, while Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin has showered praise on the travelling Dons support after their gritty win at Dundee. And let’s not forget the SWPL drama—Glasgow City’s Leanne Ross has been grilling refereeing chief Willie Collum over some questionable decisions. With all these talking points, Scottish football is delivering non-stop drama on and off the pitch!

February 16, 2025

Kilmarnock Climb into Top Six with Convincing Win Over St Johnstone

Kilmarnock moved into the top six of the Scottish Premiership with a commanding 3-1 victory over bottom side St Johnstone at Rugby Park. Early Lead Sets the Tone Liam Polworth gave the hosts an early advantage, capitalising on a mistake by Elliot Watt before displaying great composure to chip the ball over Andy Fisher in the St Johnstone goal. Killie Seal the Win in Three-Minute Blitz Kilmarnock put the game beyond doubt with two goals in three second-half minutes. Fraser Murray doubled their lead with a sensational free-kick from 25 yards, curling the ball past Fisher into the bottom corner. Moments later, Bobby Wales showcased his finishing ability by controlling a pass from Lewis Mayo and slotting home a composed low finish, making it 3-0. St Johnstone’s Revival Stalls Despite coming into the match on a four-game winning streak, St Johnstone struggled to impose themselves. Their best first-half chance came in the 36th minute when Stephen Duke-McKenna’s cross-field pass found Sam Curtis, but his shot was comfortably saved by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Kieron O’Hara. Marley Watkins also came close for Killie, hitting the crossbar just before half-time. Saints boss Simo Valakari made tactical changes at the break, introducing Taylor Steven and Zach Mitchell in an attempt to turn the game around. However, Kilmarnock remained in control, with Brad Lyons forcing another fine save from Fisher early in the second half. Late Consolation for Saints St Johnstone finally found the net in added time when Graham Carey converted from close range, but it was little more than a consolation as Killie comfortably saw out the match to claim their second consecutive home victory. What the Managers Said Kilmarnock Manager Derek McInnes: “The league is unpredictable, with teams around us struggling to put wins together. It’s crucial to find consistency, and we’re determined to be a top-six team this season.” St Johnstone Manager Simo Valakari: “It was a tough result. Kilmarnock pressed well, and we struggled to play through it at key moments. We’ve defended well recently, but conceding an early goal changed the game’s dynamic. Credit to our opponent – they deserved the win.” Kilmarnock’s victory keeps their European hopes alive, while St Johnstone remain six points adrift at the bottom, facing an uphill battle to climb out of the relegation zone.

February 16, 2025

Late Sidibeh Strike Seals St Johnstone’s Place in Scottish Cup Quarter-Finals

Adama Sidibeh’s late header secured St Johnstone a hard-fought victory over Championship side Hamilton Academical, sending them into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals. With just four minutes remaining, Graham Carey unleashed a speculative 30-yard effort, and Sidibeh reacted quickest to divert a header into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Dean Lyness helpless. Hamilton, despite arriving on the back of three consecutive defeats, made a bright start. Nikolay Todorov twice threatened to put them ahead, while St Johnstone squandered their own first-half chances—Makenzie Kirk and debutant Jonathan Svedberg both heading straight at Lyness. After the break, Accies substitute Oli Shaw was presented with a golden opportunity but failed to beat home goalkeeper Andy Fisher, much to the frustration of the travelling fans. As the second half wore on, St Johnstone began to take control, but resolute Hamilton defending kept Kirk at bay. Just as extra time loomed, Sidibeh provided the decisive moment, nodding home to seal Saints’ fourth consecutive victory and continue their impressive resurgence. What They Said St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: “I’m delighted for Adama—he’s been working so hard, and it’s great to see him get his reward. Hamilton stuck to their game plan throughout, but we kept pushing and got what we deserved in the end.” Hamilton Academical manager John Rankin: “It’s a cruel way to lose. We defended well and stuck to our structure, but sometimes the luck doesn’t go your way. Oli had a big moment, but their goal takes a deflection, and that’s the difference. The effort from the players was there—it just didn’t fall for us.”

February 9, 2025

St Johnstone

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