St Johnstone Archives

Simo Valakari suggests there’s ’no disappointment’ following yesterday’s draw with Queens Park.

Simo Valakari was showing no signs of being disappointed despite his side failing to extend the gap at the top to 5 points. Yesterday afternoon, St Johnstone and Queens Park fought out a 1-1 draw in the Perth sunshine as relentless St Johnstone were unable to find the winner in the latter stages. Following the draw, Valakari came out to say: “we will accept just this one point” after failing to get back to winning ways as they claimed back-to-back draws. He added: “No angriness, no bitterness, no frustration, no disappointment” as he was keen to show he wasn’t feeling beat up by the missed opportunity to extend the gap. The gap is now at just three point between St Johnstone and second placed Partick Thistle with the Saints on their travels next week as they make the journey to Arbroath – the team who were the first to beat them in the Championship this season. Valakari also said “it [the 1 point] was all we deserved today” as St Johnstone, who had numerous amount of chances to go and see off Queen’s Park, St Johnstone just couldn’t find the back of the net despite some solid defending by the visitors. Partick Thistle travel to Ayr in their next match as the title race ramps up with an emphatic title race going down to the wire.

March 29, 2026

Leaders St Johnstone held by Queens Park despite McPake leveller

St Johnstone were held to a 1-1 draw by Queens Park at McDiarmid Park on Saturday afternoon. Simo Valakari’s side came from behind to earn a point courtesy of Josh McPake’s second-half strike, but the league leaders were left frustrated as they were unable to restore their five-point advantage over Partick Thistle, with St Johnstone now three points clear with five games remaining. The first opportunity of the match presented itself for Queens Park, Seb Drozd tried an ambitious overhead kick in the Saints box, which was far too powerful to cause any harm. Saints produced two good efforts on the 20th minute, Reece McAlear whipped in an inviting ball that was immediately punched away by Queens Park goalkeeper Calum Ferrie, Ruari Paton then let fly from range, whose effort won Saints a first corner of the match, but a poor delivery into the box meant the attack was quickly brought to an end. Liam Smith and Reece McAlear linked up well on the edge of the box for Saints, Josh Fowler would then do well to collect the ball from the cross, his strike went narrowly over the crossbar. Despite some pressure from St Johnstone, it was Queens Park who took the lead in the 32nd minute. Michael Ruth was fouled and won a free kick on the left-hand side, Aidan Connolly’s delivery into the box was met by the head of Euan Murray who headed home to give his side a shock lead against the league leaders. Simo Valakari’s men had several chances to find the back of the net throughout the first half, but they headed into the interval trailing, having only managed one shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. Saints started the second half with real intent and wasted no time in drawing level as they had their equaliser just three minutes after the restart, Sam Stanton played a fine pass out wide to Josh McPake who raced past the Queens Park defence before drilling a low effort past Calum Ferrie to net his 18th goal of the season. Minutes later, Josh Fowler came close to giving his side a quickfire lead, but his header sailed inches wide of the Queens Park goal, a huge let-off for the visitors in the opening stages of the second period. Saints continued to push for a second and were applying plenty of pressure onto the Queens Park backline, this time, Sam Stanton made an excellent run into the box, he was picked out well by Josh McPake, a terrific ball over the top of the Queens Park defence was then controlled by Stanton who had time to shoot, Calum Ferrie was called into action, making a strong save. Queens Park’s attacking opportunities were limited in the second half, with Saints controlling the game for lengthy spells. Josh McPake was a constant threat on the left wing, the league’s top goalscorer was at the centre of every Saints attack. It was a nerve-wracking end to the match for Queens Park who were made to deal with relentless pressure from Saints who were in search of a decisive goal, but in the end, they were made to settle for a point against a resilient Queens Park.

March 28, 2026

Points shared at Firhill: A 0-0 draw keeps St Johnstone eight-points clear

Simo Valakari’s side left Firhill with one point to keep them as strong favourites to lift the Scottish Championship come the end of the season. A strong start for St Johnstone gave them the first opportunity of the match, but Jamie Gullan’s effort sailed past Josh Clarke’s goal. A careless mistake from Thistle’s Ts’ oanelo Lets’ osa, in a dangerous position, saw Ruari Paton’s strike saved unconvincingly by Clarke. However, no Saints players were in the box to punish The Jags error. Just over halfway into the first half, Thistle applied some dangerous pressure. Many continued efforts in the box saw the St Johnstone backline and goalkeeper Toby Steward scrambling to get the ball to safety. The end of the first half lacked real quality, with no team testing either goalkeeper, as well as many missed placed passes on show. In the opening five minutes of the second half, Alex Samuel had an effort on Steward’s goal. However, the Englishman in The Saints’ goal was untested. In the 61st minute, Ruari Paton’s free-kick delivery sailed past everyone in the box, a slight touch would have certainly put the visitors ahead. However, again no one was in a dangerous enough position to capitalize. Just after, Reece McAlear had an effort from long distance, but it just fell wide of Clarke’s post. However, the pressure from Simo Valakari’s side was certainly mounting. Josh McPake had a great chance to open the scoring from close range, but a lack of clinical conviction saw it go wide. Partick Thistle then found some confidence, with Ben Stanway’s half volley which just sailed wide of The Saints’ post. A heart in mouth moment in the 86th minute for Toby Steward saw him slip just outside the 18-yard box, Ricco Diak must have thought it was a tap-in to win it. However, The Saints’ stopper was lucky enough to be able to get a toe onto the ball and clear it to safety. Alex Samuel’s great work effort saw Thistle awarded a corner in the dying minutes of the match. But the corner didn’t bring any last-minute hope for The Jags. A 0-0 draw at Firhill most likely suits St Johnstone. But Thistle have to play two fixtures in short sequence before The Saints play their next match, which may add some pressure to St Johnstone if Mark Wilson’s side are able to collect six points out of six. Partick Thistle: Clarke (7), McBeth (6), Ashcroft (7), Loughrey (6), McPherson (5), Crawford (6), Lets’ Osa (5), Reading (5), Fitzpatrick (5), Stanway (5), Samuel (7) Subs: Diak (4), Turner (4), Ingram (4) St. Johnstone: Steward (7), Smith (6), Baird (6), Diabate (6), Boyes (6), McAlear (6), Holt (5), Stanton (5), Gullan (6), McPake (5), Paton (6) Subs: Fowler (4)

March 21, 2026

Morton 0-2 St Johnstone: Saints Go Marching On in Greenock

Simo Valakari’s Saints extend their lead at the top with only eight games to play, in the hope of returning to the top flight. It was Greenock Morton who started the stronger, putting the St Johnstone backline under pressure in the opening few minutes of the match. However, in the 9th minute, a nice passage of play from St Johnstone saw Ruari Paton’s rocket effort tipped onto the crossbar by Morton’s Murray Johnson. Morton’s first opportunity of the match came from a set piece, when Fergus Owens’ effort sailed over the crossbar. Shortly after, Grant Gillespie’s ambitious volley effort from outside the box flew high into the stands. Saints’ striker Louis Lloyd found himself in a dangerous area inside Morton’s box. However, his slashed effort was saved easily by Johnson. The pressure was mounting from St Johnstone, when Matty Foulds found himself lurking at the back post; however, his chance was saved well by the Morton stopper. Morton then found themselves in a promising area when Owen Moffat lobbed Saints’ keeper Toby Steward just outside the box, but Jack Baird was covering to clear any home side danger. Morton then found some confidence, Nathan Shaw’s strike inside the box left Toby Steward rooted, but his effort cleared the post marginally. The Saints came flying out after the interval, putting Morton’s defence under serious pressure. Which then found Lloyd one-on-one with Johnson; his low-driven effort hit the post, but to his relief, the offside flag was raised. A mistake from Morton’s Fergus Owens then left Josh McPake one-on-one with Johnson, but an excellent recovery from the Morton defender, combined with brave goalkeeping from Johnson, saw McPake denied. The game then became scrappy, until a nasty foul from Fergus Owens in the 77th minute saw St Johnstone awarded a free-kick in a promising area. That free-kick was tucked away in fine form by Reece McAlear, looping over the wall and finding the bottom right corner of the Morton net. Giving Simo Valakari’s side the lead, which could be all so important for the league standings. St Johnstone finished the match off in style. An amazing run from centre-back Cheick Diabate found Liam Smith in space, which allowed Smith to take his time and find the bottom left corner of Johnson’s goal. This result puts St Johnstone in a great position, now eight points clear at the top, although Partick Thistle have a game in hand to play. For Greenock Morton, they remain in eighth place, but only six points separate fourth and eighth in the league. Greenock Morton: Johnson (7), Comrie (5), Owens (5), Moore (6), Delaney (5), Moffat (6), Wilson (6), Gillespie (5), MacPherson (5), Shaw (5), Garrity (4) Subs: Lyall (3), Longridge (2) St Johnstone: Steward (7), Smith (8), Baird (7), Diabate (7), Foulds (6), McAlear (8), Holt (6), Stanton (7), Paton (7), McPake (6), Lloyd (6) Subs: Agyeman (7), Fotheringham (6), Gullan (5), Fowler (6)

March 7, 2026

Airdrieonians 0-1 St Johnstone – Match Report

St Johnstone move 5 clear of Partick Thistle with narrow win against Airdrieonians. In the opening few minutes, St Johnstone could have took the lead. A ball over the top found Gullan, who backheeled it into the path of McPake, whose tame effort from inside the box was easily saved by Stone. The Saints thought they found the breakthrough when Fowler got on the end of Diabete’s cross and volleyed home from close range, but the striker was flagged for a marginal offside. Airdrie had their first sight of goal when Mochrie had a go from outside the box, but his effort was comfortably saved by Steward. McPake played a dangerous ball into the Airdrie box, which avoided everyone and looked destined for the far corner, but Stone stuck out a left hand do deny the Hearts-bound winger. Henderson found McKinnon with a cross, but the Airdrie number 24, who found himself unmarked inside the box, put his volley over the top. A golden chance for the hosts. The Saints took the lead when Gullan played a brilliant ball over the top which found Paton, who chipped the ball, on the volley, over Stone, to give Simo Valakari’s side the lead. The perfect way to introduce yourself to the St Johnstone faithful. Into the second period, Gullan found McPake, but similar to his chance in the first period, his effort was easily saved by Stone. The ball fell to McGrattan on the edge of the box after a quick Airdrie counter attack, but his curling effort went sailing over the bar. With over 15 minutes to go, Steward made a tremendous stop to keep The Saints in front. Henderson played a low ball across goal into the path of Mochrie, who looked like he had a tap in, but Steward got across to somehow deny the forward. Airdrie had another golden opportunity to get themselves back on level terms. Mahon’s cutback was deflected into the path of Henderson, who attempted to flick the ball in at the near post, but Steward made himself big to keep Airdrie out once again. Airdrie kept piling the pressure onto the St Johnstone backline. Substitute Mahon found himself with space to shoot, but his effort towards the near post was saved by Steward. Into additional time, Gallagher got on the end of a cross from the right and his effort, on the stretch, went inches wide. After 4 minutes of additional time, the referee brought the game to a close as the game finished 1-0 to St Johnstone. As a result, The Saints move 5 clear at the top of the Championship, while Airdrie remain only 1 point ahead of Ross County in 9th, who face Queen’s Park tomorrow in a huge game at the tail end of the Championship table. Airdrieonians: Stone (7), MacDonald (6), Ross (6), McArthur (6), Strapp (5), McMaster (6), Telfer (6), McKinnon (6), Barjonas (6), Mochrie (5), Henderson (5) Substitutes: McGrattan (6), Thomas (5), Gallagher (5), Mahon (5), Constable (5) St Johnstone: Steward (9), Diabete (6), Baird (7), Boyes (7), Forrester (6), Holt (6), McAlear (6), Gullan (7), Paton (8), McPake (5), Fowler (6) Substitutes: Agyeman (5), Steven (5)

February 13, 2026

St Johnstone sign Irish striker

St Johnstone have completed the signing of 25-year-old forward Ruari Paton, who joins on a season-long loan from English League One side Port Vale. Paton has plenty experience in Scotland. The Irishman played for East Kilbride between July 2019 and June 2020, where he played 7 games and scored 3 goals, Stranraer between July 2020 and June 2021, where he played 30 times and scored 9 goals, Queen of the South between July 2021 and June 2023, where he played 91 times and scored 33 goals, Queen’s Park between July 2023 and July 2024, where he played 43 times and scored 22 goals and Dundee United between January 2025 and June 2025, where he played 13 games and failed to find the net. Paton after signing for Saints: “I hope to bring composure, tenacity and of course some goals. But I can say that all I want, I need to show the supporters. “I’m just feeling pure excitement and, as I said, I’m really looking forward to having a good crack at this and having a strong finish to the season. “I’m so eager to get out there on the training field with all the guys. It’s going to be great.”

February 2, 2026

St Johnstone 2-2 Partick Thistle: Fans Verdict.

Entertaining game, not much in it, both sides were good to watch.”– St Johnstone and Partick Thistle supporters react to dramatic draw in Perth. St Johnstone fans. Sean Hamilton: “Genuinely haunted by the cheapness of the goals St Johnstone gave away last night. McAlear’s lack of urgency in claiming the ball before the first was shocking. Fotheringham is hopelessly casual ahead of the second. Diabate can’t have his hands all over his attacker in the box. Too many self-inflicted goals being lost through a lack of urgency and poor decision making. Players need a shake. The stakes are too high to be so careless. Oh… and Josh Fowler has to start from now on.” Andrew Johnston: “To go 5 clean sheets in a row and then concede 3 goals entirely of our own making is so frustrating. Nobody said it would be easy, but why do we have to make it so hard?” John Clunie: “Sickening but onwards and upwards, still top game in hand let’s do this.” Lee Kelman: “Poor first half, brilliant 2nd half. Just needed to be smarter in last moments of the game. Still 2 points clear with a game in hand.” Partick Thistle fans. Gazman_85: “That was a great point in the end. Thought we played well especially in the first half. 2nd half St. Johnstone the better team but I’m loving this never say die attitude from this team. Not out of this yet.” loyaljag: “The game plan was executed perfectly in first half but you’re always going to be under pressure in second half. Overall it was only one bit of quality that undid us despite playing with backs to wall. These players can never be written off though.” PTFC Updates: “Tony Watt & Alex Samuel, what a partnership! 2 of the league’s best strikers playing for the same team. Tony’s run for the first goal and constant physical battle, showed his class tonight. And Alex Samuel, wonderful as ever, a real physical and goal-scoring threat for us.” Jilly Stevo: “Entertaining game, not much in it, both sides were good to watch. A point each seems right but it feels like a win after being so close to defeat. Brilliant last gasp penalty under huge pressure. Proud of the whole team, they defended well and attacked well and looked totally different to the side I watched at McDiarmid Park on day 1.”

January 31, 2026

St Johnstone vs Partick Thistle – Match Report

League leaders St Johnstone take on 2nd place Partick Thistle in a huge game at McDiarmid Park. The visitors nearly got off to the perfect start. Samuel did well to get into a shooting position, but his low effort hit the side-netting. Crawford spotted Samuel in plenty of space inside the St Johnstone box, but could not find the Jags number 9, however, the ball found its way to Watt, who cut inside onto his right foot, but his shot was straight at Steward. McPake found Gullan inside the Partick Thistle box, who flicked it onto Holt, whose effort from inside the box was well blocked. Agyeman found space outside the box and had a go, but his powerful effort was straight at Clarke, who kept hold. Crawford found himself with space inside the box, but his shot was well blocked by Mikulic, who slid in to deny the midfielder. Gullan found Forrester who found space to cross, with blue shirts in the middle, but his cross was headed out for a corner. From the resulting corner, the ball fell to McAlear, whose shot from outside the area was tipped over the top by Clarke. With under 5 minutes to go until half time, the Jags broke the deadlock. Striker Watt was first to a 50/50 following a St Johnstone corner. Watt then raced up the pitch and found himself up against Holt, who he got past with ease, and squared the ball to Smyth, who slotted home from close range. Into the second period, St Johnstone found the leveller. Gullan’s corner eventually found its way to Agyeman, who found himself with the ball inside the area with his back to goal, and found the net via a deflection, to give him his first goal for St Johnstone. Forrester found space outside the box and had a go, but his right footed effort went narrowly past the post. Watt found Smyth with a lofted pass, which keeper Steward came rushing out for and got to, to deny the Jags’ number 8. Gullan’s cross resulted in a goalmouth scramble inside the Partick Thistle box, which was stopped by the referee after Clarke collected. Agyeman worked the ball onto his right foot and had a shot, but his strike was palmed away by Clarke. With just over 25 minutes of normal time remaining, McPake put St Johnstone in front. The winger received the ball from Gullan, then cut inside onto his right foot and found the bottom corner. Agyeman found space and whipped in a dangerous cross, which was just beyond the reach of Fowler. Agyeman worked the ball onto his right foot and had a shot from inside the area, which was well saved by Clarke at his near post. Into the final minute of stoppage time, Partick Thistle were awarded a penalty after Samuel was brought down by defender Diabate. Smyth stepped up and found the bottom corner to rescue the Jags a point right at the death. A quite incredible ending to an incredible game at McDiarmid Park. As a result, St Johnstone remain 2 points clear at the top of the Championship with a game in hand. St Johnstone: Steward (5), Forrester (6), Diabate (3), Mikulic (5), Boyes (6), Holt (6), McAlear (5), Stanton (5), Gullan (7), McPake (8), Agyeman (8) Substitutes: Fowler (7), Baird (6), Fotheringham (6), Griffith (6) Partick Thistle: Clarke (6), McPherson (6), McBeth (6), Ashcroft (6), O’Reilly (6), Reading (6), Crawford (6), Smyth (10), Stanway (6), Watt (8), Samuel (7) Substitutes: Loughrey (6), Chalmers (6), Taylor (6)

January 30, 2026

St Johnstone bolster their attacking options.

St Johnstone have completed the signing of Queens Park forward Josh Fowler, who joins on a 2-year-deal. The 24-year-old striker scored 19 times for The Spiders this season, including a goal in every cup competition. 1 in the Scottish Cup, 3 in 3 games in the League Cup, 5 in 4 games in the League Cup and 10 goals in the Championship. The English forward is 2nd for goals scored in the Championship, behind Josh McPake, who he will link up with in the second half of the season. Josh Fowler on signing for The Saints: “We have a goal that we’re all pushing towards and I’m excited to get going. St Johnstone is a very well-run club and I wanted to be part of that. I feel like I’m ready for this step up and this challenge.” “I hope the fans take to me and I can show what I can do. We all have the same ambitions together – the team and the fans. The forward will wear the number 9.

January 29, 2026

St Johnstone vs Partick Thistle – Match Preview

St Johnstone host Partick Thistle in a 6-pointer at the top of the Championship. The last meeting between these sides finished 2-1 to Partick Thistle. O’Reilly and Watt scored first half goals for The Jags. Into the second period, McPake scored a consolation goal for The Saints. In the previous meeting between these sides at McDiarmid Park, St Johnstone won 5-1. Reading opened the scoring for Partick Thistle, but goals from Gullan, a hat trick from McPake and a late Strike from Mallan saw the Saints pick up an emphatic home win. In their last outing, St Johnstone lost 1-0 at home to Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline. The defeat saw their unbeaten home record in the league come to an end after 11 games. In their last outing, Partick Thistle beat Scott Brown’s Ayr United at Firhill. Mark Wilson’s men raced into a 2-goal lead with 2 quickfire goals from Chalmers and Samuel, to put themselves in a commanding position after 15 minutes. Main scored on the hour mark, but it only turned out to be a consolation for The Honest Men. As a result, Partick Thistle now sit only 2 points off the top, setting up a mouthwatering clash at McDiarmid Park on Friday night. The Glasgow outfit have been poor on their travels, only picking up 13 points from a possible 33 on the road, in the league. Compared to their home record, where they have picked up 30 points, winning 9 and drawing 3. These 2 sides are the highest scoring sides in the division. The Saints have scored 43 in 22 matches, while The Jags have found the net on 35 occasions, 6 above Dunfermline Athletic who sit 3rd in the goal scoring charts. St Johnstone duo McPake and Gullan lead the combined goals and assists tally in the Championship, with 15 and 14 separately. Partick Thistle forward Chalmers sits in 3rd with 12 combined goals and assists. Simo Valakari ahead of St Johnstone’s huge clash against Partick Thistle: “Another big one, another big one, and of course, again, a big big challenge for us and a game we want to play, because, if you want to call it, they are our ‘direct opponent’, they are right behind us, they are chasing us”, The Saints manager stated. “We saw it last week, how tight these games are when you play against the top teams and we know tomorrow night we need to be close to our best to get something out of the game, but it’s the same for them”. Luke McBeth ahead of Partick Thistle’s clash against St Johnstone: “Really looking forward to it, obviously a massive game, so everyone’s up for it and just excited to get going”, he stated. On what aspects in the last couple of games they are looking to carry going into Friday night’s clash: “I think just being solid, trying not to concede. Obviously, they’ve got a lot of threats, but so do we, so think just playing our own, kind of knowing what they’re good at, but also getting up after the ball when we’ve got it.”