St Johnstone Archives - Page 3 of 5

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.”

January 29, 2026

St Johnstone vs Ayr United – Match Preview

St Johnstone are back at McDiarmid Park on Tuesday night where they will face fellow Championship outfit Ayr United in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Challenge Cup. The last meeting between these sides finished 4-2 to St Johnstone at Somerset Park. McKenzie and Murphy scored first half goals to put The Honest Men 2-0 up going into the break, but second half goals from Foulds, a brace from McPake and a stoppage time goal from Fotheringham meant that St Johnstone left with all 3 points. In the previous meeting at McDiarmid Park, the game finished goalless. St Johnstone come into this fixture off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Dunfermline Athletic, which was The Saints’ first home league defeat of the season, ending an unbeaten run of 11 games. As a result, the Perth outfit now sit 2 points ahead of Partick Thistle in 2nd, who come to McDiarmid Park on Friday night. Before their defeat against Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic, St Johnstone had not lost in 7 games in all competitions, winning 5 and drawing 2, and in that run, Simo Valakari’s side kept 6 clean sheets. Ayr United come into this fixture off the back of a 2-1 league defeat against Partick Thistle at Firhill. As a result, Ayr United have moved below the play-off spots in 5th, behind Dunfermline Athletic on goal difference. Scott Brown’s side have only won 1 in 5, with that win coming at home against League 2 outfit Stranraer at home in the Challenge Cup. In continuation, Ayr have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 8 matches in all competitions. To reach this stage of the competition, The Saints defeated Hearts B away from home, Gullan got the goal which sent them through. In the last 16, St Johnstone beat Championship strugglers Ross County 2-0 at McDiarmid Park, a goal from McPake and a first Saints goal from Lloyd sent them through to the quarter-finals. To reach this stage of the competition, Ayr United defeated Peterhead 2-1 at home, Dowds and McAllister got the goals. And in the previous round, the Ayrshire outfit defeated League 2 side Stranraer. Main, Dempsey, Finney and Thomas all got on the scoresheet. Simo Valakari on his side’s defeat against Dunfermline: “Dunfermline were very dangerous up front and very solid at the back. One action decided the game. They took their chance and we didn’t take ours. That’s why we can have no argument about the result. Most of the season we have been on the right side of the small margins because we’ve been doing so many right things. This afternoon they didn’t go for us. Maybe we weren’t at our best – especially in the opposition’s box. We created moments. You get these kinds of games, but still the boys gave everything. When we win, we celebrate and tonight we suffer.” Ayr United assistant manager, Steven Whittaker, on Tuesday night’s Challenge Cup meeting with St Johnstone: “It’s a competition we have aimed to do well in. It’s a tough draw but we go there having had a good performance earlier in the season. “We need to re-group, learn from today and hopefully go up there and put a good performance in.”

January 26, 2026

St Johnstone vs Dunfermline – Match Report

Top of the league St Johnstone welcomed fifth place Dunfermline to Perth as the hosts hope to steer away from second place Partick Thistle with the Pars keen on keeping promotion dreams alive The opening exchanges were scrappy and stop-start, with no side creating any chances and no side able to keep possession for long spells. On 7 minutes, Rudden got on the end of a Morrison cross that goalkeeper Steward came for, but headed over. The offside flag was raised in any case. McPake found himself in a good position close to goal, but Chilokoa-Mullen came in with a last ditch challenge to deny the Hearts bound winger. Tod found himself in a shooting position just outside the St Johnstone box, but his low effort was easily saved by Steward. The Saints worked the ball well to Gullan, whose shot from inside the area was saved by the foot of Mehmet. Fraser whipped a ball into the box, which found Rudden who found himself free at the back post, but his headed effort across goal went wide. Gilmour found Morrison on the wing, who once again played a cross into Rudden, who headed wide. Into the second period, Dunfermline opened the scoring. Fraser got on the end of a loose pass from keeper Steward and smashed the ball into the roof of the net on the keeper’s side. McAlear’s corner found Boyes, whose header was goal-bound, but was cleared off the line. Ngwenya got on the end of Todd’s corner, which Steward came out for but failed to connect with, but headed over. Rudden found Tod, whose curling effort went narrowly over the bar. Morrison played a teasing ball across the Dunfermline goal, but no player in blue was there to convert. St Johnstone worked the ball into Forrester, who found himself with space on the edge of the Dunfermline box, but his effort, which worried Mehmet, went narrowly past the post. St Johnstone: Steward (3), Diabate (4), Boyes (5), Holt (C), (5), Gullan (6), Stanton (6), McPake (6), Agyeman (6), Smith (5), Forrester (5), McAlear (6) Substitutes: Ikpeazu (6), Mallan (6), Boyd (6), Fotheringham (6) Dunfermline: Mehmet (7), Chilokoa-Mullen (C) (7), Ngwenya (7), Gilmour (6), Rudden (7), Todd (7), Abdulai (7), Tod (6), Oakley-Boothe (7), Morrison (8), Fraser (9). Substitutes: Hamilton (7), Thomas (6), Kearney (6).

January 25, 2026

St Johnstone vs Dunfermline Athletic – Match Preview

The league leaders St Johnstone host Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Championship. In their last outing, St Johnstone defeated Ross County 2-0 at home in the Challenge Cup. McPake and Lloyd got the goals. In their last league outing, the Perth outfit beat Arbroath 1-0 at home. Striker Sidibeh’s goal was the difference. As a result, St Johnstone sit 5 points clear at the top of the Championship, ahead of Partick Thistle, who were defeated by Ross County, who sit at the foot of the table. Simo Valakari’s side have been a formidable force at McDiarmid Park so far this league campaign. The Saints have played 11 and are yet to lose, winning 7 and drawing 4, and have scored 24 goals. Dunfermline Athletic come into this fixture off the back of a famous victory against Premiership opposition Hibernian to progress into the 5th round of the Scottish Cup, where they will face League One outfit Kelty Hearts at home. The Pars’ last league outing was back on December 27th, where they defeated Raith Rovers 2-1 away from home in the Fife Derby. Tod and Stewart got the goals for Dunfermline to secure the 3 points. Before winning in the Fife Derby, Neil Lennon’s side only had 1 win in 6 games, including a 4-3 defeat to Queen of the South in the Challenge Cup, who are in the league below. The Pars sit 5th in the Championship, 3 points behind Ayr United in 4th, who play Partick Thistle at home this weekend. The Fife outfit have had mixed results on the road so far this league season, winning 4, drawing 2 and losing 4. The previous meeting between these sides came in November in a 2-2 draw. Stewart opened the scoring to give Dunfermline the lead. St Johnstone responded in the 30th minute through McAlear and went ahead in the 60th through Smith, but Neil Lennon’s side found the net in stoppage time to rescue a point. Back in September, The Saints beat The Pars at McDiarmid Park. MacLeod put the visitors in front just before the interval, but second half goals from Fotheringham and McPake gave St Johnstone all 3 points. St Johnstone forward Louis Lloyd after scoring his first goal for The Saints: “I am buzzing. The gaffer showed confidence in me to put me in from the start. I was determined to put myself out there and get myself a goal. “I had a few chances in the first half that I maybe should have been on the end of. In the second half, the game opened up a bit more and Smithy (Liam Smith) has put one on a plate for me. “The feeling was just delight. As soon as I saw the ball coming in, I thought ‘there is your moment’. I was just buzzing to celebrate with the fans and the boys as well. “Hopefully I can keep adding more minutes and keep contributing with goals and assists. We’ll now make sure we’re straight back on it and focused for the rest of the season.” Neil Lennon’s reaction to his side’s win against Hibernian: “I said to my coaches with half an hour to go, ‘I think this is a 1-0 game, so it could go either way.’ Thankfully for us, it went our way. “I thought our shape was good but I didn’t think we played as well as we could have done in the first half. We said to them, ‘Come on, play with a bit more positivity in the final third, a bit more belief.’ “Kieran probably should have done better with the initial header but we’ll take that all day long. We’ve taken a big scalp here today, and it should give the players a lot more belief in themselves.”

January 22, 2026

Simo Valakari agrees contract extension

St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari has signed a contract extension, which will see him remain at St Johnstone until the summer of 2029. The 52-year-old, who joined The Saints in October 2024, has guided them to 1st place in the Championship, with over half of the season gone, 5 points above Partick Thistle in 2nd place. The Perth outfit have scored 43 goals in 21 games, 10 more than any other side in the division and have also conceded the least, conceding 17. St Johnstone owner Adam Webb stated: “Since arriving in Perth, Simo has played a key role in driving standards on and off the pitch, embedding a clear footballing identity and demonstrating a strong commitment to our family club. “This new contract is not just a reward for recent progress, but a statement of trust and shared ambition. We believe in the direction we are heading, and stability is a crucial part of building long-term success. “His leadership, work ethic and connection with players, staff, supporters and the local community is exemplary, and we’re all looking forward to continuing this journey together.”

January 8, 2026

St Johnstone vs Arbroath – Match Preview

St Johnstone and Arbroath go head-to-head this weekend in a huge encounter at the top of the Scottish Championship. These sides have met twice already this campaign. St Johnstone won the first encounter 3-0 at McDiarmid Park. Jack Baird, Jason Holt and Stephen Mallan got the goals for the hosts. However, in the most recent meeting, Arbroath won 3-1. Joshua McPake scored for the visitors inside 5 minutes, but Arbroath scored 3 goals in 11 minutes to secure the 3 points. Findlay Marshall scored a brace and Gavin Reilly also got on the scoresheet for Colin Hamilton’s side. St Johnstone come into this fixture off the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw against Ross County in Dingwall, who currently sit bottom of the league. Despite dropping 2 points, Partick Thistle and Arbroath both drew as well, so the Perth outfit remain 5 points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship. In their last outing, Arbroath drew 1-1 at home to Airdrieonians, who sit second bottom. Arbroath broke the deadlock on 66 minutes through Arran Pettifer, but after being reduced to 10-men after Jack Wilkie was sent off with 10 minutes of normal time to go, Lewis Strapp found the equaliser for the visitors. Neither side above Arbroath have gained any ground on them, so as a result, Colin Hamilton’s side remain 4 points behind Partick Thistle in 2nd and 9 points behind their opponents for this weekend St Johnstone. The hosts for this weekend have scored the most goals so far in the Scottish Championship, by a healthy margin. Simo Valakari’s side have found the net 42 times, 12 more than Patrick Thistle who have scored the second most. Arbroath sit 15 behind on 27 goals scored. In terms of goals conceded, St Johnstone have conceded the fewest with 17. The Red Lichties have conceded 24 thus far. St Johnstone forward Joshua McPake is leading the way in terms of goals in the Scottish Championship. The 24-year-old Scotsman has 13 goals in only 19 games and has also provided 2 assists. Arbroath’s top scores so far this campaign is on loan midfielder Findlay Marshall. The 19-year-old Scotsman has made a massive impact in a short period of time. In the league, Marshall has 8 goals and has also provided 2 assists. Jason Holt’s reaction to St Johnston’s draw against Ross County: “We showed a different side to ourselves. It felt like we weren’t as free-flowing or smooth as in previous weeks, but we do need to show different sides to ourselves because no game in this league is going to be the same. “There are times you need to battle and earn the right to play first, which was probably the case on Saturday. “It was a tough game and I thought Ross County battled well. In the second half, I felt we were more in the ascendency and controlled larger spells of the game. “We had a few good chances that, on another day, we could have scored. We’re disappointed not to win the game but, when you strip it back, it could be an important point for us.”

January 2, 2026

Arbroath Hand St Johnstone First League Defeat With Sensational Second Half Comeback

A sensational second half comeback from Arbroath handed St Johnstone their first league defeat off the season as the Smokies ran out 3-1 winners. It was a very even start as both teams looked to create chances but within five minutes the visitors were in front. A through ball by Reece McAlear found Josh McPake where the striker put St Johnstone ahead. After the goal, it was one way traffic as Arbroath controlled most the play but failing to get the game level. On 20 minutes, Findlay Marshall had a chance to equalise but his effort from range just going over by a slight margin. Other than that, there was much to speak about as Arbroath controlled majority of the game but failing to take their chances. St Johnstone struggled to get further ahead but luckily for them, Arbroath just couldn’t find a goal. Some very dodgy passes by the Saints backline in the first half but at their fortune, Arbroath were unable to make them pay. Arbroath responded immediately as Findlay Marshall fired the Smokies back on level terms with an effort from range striking bottom right hand corner. Arbroath continued to create chances and cause St Johnstone all sort of issues as soon on Arbroath were ahead as Gavin Reilly scored a tap in from close range following an initial attempt saved. Arbroath then quickly added a third, a similar goal to the equaliser, Findlay Marshall completing a brace with a strike from distance finding the bottom right hand corner. St Johnstone late on did have some chances but not testing the Arbroath keeper as the hosts were more than happy to sit back and soak up the pressure. St Johnstone had no response as Arbroath were simply outstanding. Anytime the visitors went forward they were unable to test the Arbroath number one. A very poor display by the Saints as Arbroath pick up a very deserved three points. Arbroath: McAdams Stewart Muirhead O’Brien Wilkie Gold Flynn Marshall Reilly MacIntyre Dow Substitutes: Cochrane Kabongolo Todorov St Johnstone: Steward Smith Boyes Diabate Foulds Fotheringham Holt Sprangler McAlear McPake Gullan Substitutes: Ikpeazu Franczak

October 18, 2025

Arbroath vs St Johnstone Preview

Arbroath welcome St Johnstone to Gayfield as the Perth Saints look to get back to winning ways. Arbroath have had a good start to their Championship campaign as the Lichties currently sit fourth in the table following their promotion from League One last season. Arbroath have recorded four victories as well as three draws and defeats so far this season. However, Arbroath haven’t been on the best of form as they have only picked up one win in their last five outings. Arbroath have recently suffered a few big beatings after a 5-0 home defeat against Neil Lennon and Dunfermline, as well as a 3-0 defeat away in Kirkcaldy against Raith Rovers. On a positive note, they have had their ups, defeating Queen’s Park 4-1 as well as a big 1-0 win against Ross County in Dingwall. Whereas for the visitors, they are currently unbeaten in the Scottish Championship since relegation from the Scottish top flight for the first time since 2004. The Perth Saints have only lost once in their last 16, which was a defeat in extra time against Motherwell, dumping the Perth side out of the League Cup. St Johnstone this season have won 7 league games as well as 3 draws and, of course, 0 defeats. St Johnstone haven’t had any poor showings but have had some huge victories along the way, including a 5-1 home win over fellow title challengers Partick Thistle and a vital 2-0 away win to Barry Robson’s Raith Rovers. Both sides last season Arbroath last season were the League One champions as they finished seven points ahead of Cove Rangers in second spot. The Lichties picked up 19 victories across the season with 10 defeats and 7 draws. Arbroath had some big victories last season, defeating Cove Rangers 4-2 in Aberdeen, which proved to be vital in their charge for the title, as well as a 2-0 win away at Inverness. St Johnstone were unable to stay in the Premiership this time around as the Saints finished rock bottom as they finished five points below Ross County, who also suffered relegation after a play-off defeat against Livingston. St Johnstone suffered multiple nasty defeats, such as a 6-0 home defeat to Celtic, a 3-1 home defeat to rivals Dundee, as well as a 2-0 home defeat to Kilmarnock being some noticeable defeats. St Johnstone did reach the Scottish League Cup semi-finals but were unable to cement a spot in the final as Celtic put on a 5-star display, defeating the Perth Saints 5-0. St Johnstone also picked up a famous win at McDiarmid Park, defeating Celtic for the first time since 2016 after a 1-0 win, but that was unable to help Simo Valakari and St Johnstone in the top flight. Last time the two sides met The last time these two clashed was back in August this season at McDiarmid Park as St Johnstone ran away 3-0 winners courtesy of goals by Jack Baird, Jason Holt, and Stevie Mallan. Last time out Last time out for the Lichties, they defeated Queen’s Park 4-1 at Gayfield as Arbroath look to continue their winning streak. For the visitors, last time out they drew 0-0 at home to struggling Ross County, who also were sucked down into the Championship last season. It’ll certainly be a tricky match for the home side as an undefeated St Johnstone side will be looking to continue their form and get further in front at the top of the league.

October 17, 2025

St. Johnstone Remain Unbeaten at Championship Summit After Late Victory Over Dunfermline

St. Johnstone continued their unbeaten start to the league season, with wingers Kai Fotheringham and Josh McPake scoring second half goals to pick up a hard earned 2-1 victory over Dunfermline Athletic. The visitors had taken the lead two minutes before the half time whistle through forward Rory Macleod, but a determined, domineering St. Johnstone were able to cancel this out once they regained a foothold on the game. The result leaves Simo Valakari’s men top of the table, having only dropped 2 points from their opening six matches, whilst Neil Lennon’s side are still yet to win two games in the league consecutively, since his arrival late on last season. The home side nearly took the lead on the 3rd minute, when Josh McPake stole the ball from Dunfermline captain Kyle Benedictus deep in the Pars half, but his effort was saved by Mason Munn in the Dunfermline net. Benedictus’ heart was in his mouth again just four minutes later, when Saints captain Jason Holt fell inside the penalty box following a challenge from the centre back. Referee Matthew MacDermid awarded a goal kick to Dunfermline rather than a penalty, with a furious Holt protesting the decision, as well as Benedictus and his teammates, suggesting the midfielder took a dive. There is no VAR to re-referee in the Scottish Championship, remember. St. Johnstone controlled the opening quarter of an hour, but despite their dominance, did not create anything meaningful. Left midfielder Josh McPake, who has scored two in his last two, was at the centre of anything Saints were doing offensively, causing havoc when cutting onto his right foot, and created Saint Johnstone’s best chance when his curling cross from the left was met by right back Adam Forrester, but again Munn was equal to his close range effort. Dunfermline took a while to get going, but when they did, they changed the perception of the match. Their first chance of the game was made around 25 minutes in, a bobbling cross on the deck from Zak Rudden that was hastily defended by St. Johnstone, and this is what seemed to give the Dunfermline players and healthy number of travelling supporters a new lease of life. Pars’ summer signing Jefferson Caceres, who tried catching goalkeeper Toby Steward off his line from range a couple times already, played a dipping cross from the left flank on his right foot on the 43rd minute. The ball curled over everyone and bounced invitingly for young striker Rory Macleod, who fired the ball high into the left side of the goal with aplomb, marking the first league goal of the 19 year-old’s senior career, and giving his side the lead as the teams headed up the tunnel for halftime. The hosts though started the second half just as they did the first, with total control. A 50th minute corner was met the glancing head of Adama Sidibeh, forcing another great stop out of Munn, but it only went as far as Kai Fotheringham who tapped the ball into an empty net to level the scoring. But the breakthrough came for the home side in the 82nd minute. Sub James Gullan whipped a looping ball on from the touchline halfway into the Pars half, sailing over everyone and was met by that man Josh McPake, who’s first time finish completed the turnaround for the league leaders and queued the rendition of the Saint’s faithful’s version of ‘Dancing Queen’ by ABBA for the talented left winger. Dunfermline chased an equaliser and so nearly had it in the last minute of added time. Andrew Tod’s free kick crashed off the post, before a resulting rebound was tipped onto the bar for a corner, which was then met by the rising Jeremiah Chilkoa-Mullen, forcing Steward into a diving save to protect the points being shared. St. Johnstone look to continue their vein of form next week, as they travel to Airdrieonians on Tuesday, whilst Neil Lennon will face Scott Brown as Ayr United visit East End Park. JOHNSTONE: Steward 5, Foulds 5 (Boyes 2), Diabate 6, Baird 6, Forrester 6, McPake 8, Holt 7, McAlear 7, Svedberg 4 (Wanner 5), Fotheringham 7 (Gullan 6), Sidbeh 5 (Ikpeazu 2) DUNFERMLINE: Munn 7, Otoo 6, Chilokoa-Mullen 6, Benedictus 5, Fraser 5, Amade 6 (Ritchie-Hosler 2), Gilmour 5, Kearney 6, Caceres 6, Rudden 2 (Tod 4), Macleod 7(Oakley-Boothe 2)

September 19, 2025