St Johnstone

Fourth round: St Johnstone 1-0 Motherwell (18 Jan)

Makenzie Kirk's early goal earned St Johnstone their first win over Motherwell in three years - and a place in the Scottish Cup last 16.

At the time, Simo Valakari's side had lost seven of their previous nine matches before turning things around in the cup.

Fifth round: St Johnstone 1-0 Hamilton (8 Feb)

It took a late goal from Adama Sidibeh to overcome Championship outfit Hamilton.

Saints could have been ahead in the first half, but Accies goalkeeper Dean Lyness kept his side in the game.

However, Sidibeh reacted quickly to Graham Carey's strike from distance with four minutes to play to guide a header beyond Lyness and send the Perth men into the last eight.

Quarter-finals: Livingston 0-1 St Johnstone (10 March)

Another narrow win over second-tier opposition. Graham Carey's spectacular 30-yard strike secured a hard-fought victory.

Saints had been dominated by their Championship hosts, who spurned a number of first-half chances.

But Carey's brilliant goal in the 73rd minute proved the difference and set up a semi-final against holders Celtic.

• Celtic beat Rangers 1-0 in last season's Scottish Cup final to lift the trophy for the second season in a row and 42nd time overall.

• This is St Johnstone's first semi-final since lifting the trophy for a second time in 2021, when they defeated St Mirren 2-1 to reach the final.

• Celtic last lost in the semi-finals in 2022, when they were beaten by Rangers.

• Celtic have won seven of their eight Scottish Cup meetings with St Johnstone.

• St Johnstone's only Scottish Cup victory over Celtic was a 2-1 victory in February 1936, Jimmy Beattie scoring either side of a Willie Buchan equaliser in the second-round tie at Celtic Park.

• Ryan Christie scored the only goal - for Celtic - in the latest Scottish Cup meeting between the sides, in a March 2020 quarter-final at McDiarmid Park.

• Celtic won the only previous Scottish Cup semi-final between the sides, 2-1 in April 2007, when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored either side of a Martin Hardie equaliser.

• Celtic won their latest semi-final meeting with Saints, in the League Cup in November 2021, with James Forrest scoring the only goal at Hampden.

• St Johnstone have only won one of their past four outings, but that came two weeks ago at home to Celtic, Daniels Balodis scoring the only goal.

• Scottish Premiership leaders and reigning champions Celtic have won two and lost two of their latest four outings, the other defeat coming at home to Rangers.

Image source, SNS

Are St Johnstone losing the "ethos" that led them to achieving a domestic cup double and maintaining their top-flight status?

Former McDiarmid Park boss Callum Davidson thinks that could be part of the reason why they are struggling at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

However, Davidson can empathise with why the club are unable to sustain the model he feels "has been built on stability".

"Again, it's turnover of players," he said. "I think when we won the cups, it was then very difficult to keep the squad together because they all left, we couldn't afford to keep them.

"[It became a] bit of a turnover of too many. I think St Johnstone's success over the years has been built on stability and that kind of ethos of bringing one or two players in every year and trying to keep that nucleus of the squad together."

Currently five points adrift at the foot of the table, Saints face Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-finals on Sunday - something Davidson hopes is a high point, but he worries it could hinder their survival hopes.

"Is the semi-final a help or a hindrance to them in their fight for survival? It probably is a bit of a hindrance," he adds.

"Because it's another huge game physically and mentally for the players. So it's a tough one.

"Hopefully the stability is there that if they do go down, they will be in a position where they can go back up again.

"But they won't be thinking about it like that. They'll be thinking, 'come on, let's have a go and let's see what we can do'."

Football fans heading to this weekend's Scottish Cup semi-finals at Hampden Park have been handed a timely travel boost, with ScotRail confirming additional trains and extra seats to help supporters get to and from the national stadium. (The Herald), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

St Johnstone will find out on Tuesday if 20-year-old Zach Mitchell has played his last game for the Perth club after the on-loan Charlton Athletic centre-back was substituted with a hamstring injury during Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Dundee United. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

• Motherwell v St Johnstone - Saturday, 26 April 2025

• St Johnstone v Kilmarnock - Saturday, 3 May 2025

• St Johnstone v Ross County - Saturday, 10 May 2025

• Hearts v St Johnstone - Wednesday, 14 May 2025

• St Johnstone v Dundee - Sunday, 18 May 2025

Image source, SNS

Watch as the Sportscene team analyse St Johnstone's survival chances.

Available in UK only

Watch the best of the action as Dundee United edge out St Johnstone 1-0 at Tannadice. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views following the loss to Dundee United that keeps St Johnstone five points adrift at the bottom.

Here's what some of you said:

Jimmy: A mistake led to the goal. Dundee United are a better team than us. We gave it a very good go and had our chances, and on any other day one or two would have led to a goal. Can't say we didn't try. I still have faith that we can climb up a spot or two.

Daniel: Not been the same since the three games in seven days at the end of February, a tiredness has ended the momentum. Need to win three at least, and I don't know if the energy is still there. Think time is up for us this time.

Glenshee: Despite the manager's comments, the players in the squad are not quite good enough to survive. They work hard to compete but make mistakes under pressure too easily. Every other team knows this and presses hard, getting several clear-cut chances each match as a result of our errors.

Image source, SNS

• United have won their past three games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winning streak was from 26 December 2024 to 2 January 2025.

• United have scored in their past seven games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 7 games from 30 October 2024 to 14 December 2024.

• United have kept a clean sheet in each of their past three games in the Premiership, a run of 304 minutes without conceding a goal.

• St. Johnstone attempted 17 crosses in this match, higher than their season average of 16.7 in the Premiership.

Dundee United edged out St Johnstone to strengthen their bid for European football as they moved level on points with third-placed Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

Defender Emmanuel Adegboyega profited from some slack set-piece defending to tap in what proved to be the winner in the first half.

What did you make of that, St Johnstone fans? A bit harsh to lose that?

Who impressed you, and did it give you any confidence for the rest of the season?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Although they left Tannadice without any points, the Saints fans could not fault the attitude or application from the players at Tannadice.

They refused to give up until the final whistle, still creating chances despite the odds going against them.

Although plenty was made of the original strikeforce of Kimpioka and Adama Sidibeh at the start of the season, they don't seem to have the clinical edge in front of goal that could save the Perth side.

Saints are the joint lowest scorers in the division and while they registered 15 shots - compared to United's nine - just two were on target.

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari told BBC Scotland: "Overall, we played well. We knew it would be tight margins and unfortunately the goal we concede comes from a crazy thing happening.

"The boys put everything in. We created chances and now, the regular season is done. Five games to go, the fight continues.

"We know we played well. We are in good form. We do the right things. We just need the results, that's the hardest thing.

"Everyone who watched today saw what we are all about. Our players are tough, they are good players. We have given ourselves a chance."

St Johnstone are being fuelled by the collective view they are already destined for the drop, says on-loan Charlton defender Zach Mitchell, 20. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Dundee United pair Ross Graham and Vicko Sevelj remain doubts after missing the victory over Hearts.

St Johnstone are without Drey Wright after the versatile midfielder suffered ankle ligament damage. Uche Ikpeazu has done some training with the ball, while long-term absentees Bozo Mikulic (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles) remain out.

Celtic could still win a 13th Scottish top-flight title in 14 seasons this weekend, despite their shock defeat away to St Johnstone last Sunday.

Victory at home against Kilmarnock on Saturday would be sufficient to confirm the arithmetic should Rangers lose at Aberdeen the following day.

The Ibrox side are almost certain to clinch the second Champions League place, but four points from their final six matches would confirm it.

Whoever finishes third and fourth will also be in Europe, as will the division's fifth-placed side should the Scottish Cup winners be one of the Premiership's top four.

The fight for the final top-six place will go to the final game before the split, with one of Hearts, Motherwell or St Mirren claiming it.

Hearts visit Fir Park one point in front of their hosts and the Paisley side, who take on Ross County.

The two teams missing out could yet be sucked into a relegation battle.

Bottom side St Johnstone are now five adrift of Dundee and six behind Kilmarnock and Ross County. Motherwell and St Mirren are a further three points ahead.

With the teams all playing each other again post-split, there is still plenty scope for movement between now and 18 May.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone defender Zach Mitchell says no-one at McDiarmid Park is getting carried away after their surprise victory over Celtic, but hope to use the momentum from the result in their Premiership survival bid.

Saints have been getting plenty of plaudits after last weekend's 1-0 win against the runaway league leaders.

It was a huge boost and a much-needed win for the Perth side, who are five points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Mitchell said: "We are in no position where we are going to get ahead of ourselves.

"We know what we have got to do and what the task ahead is, and although we will take those moments and live in the highs but you can't live in them for too long and we will be looking to our next game.

"That is what the manager has emphasised as well, is that, sometimes you can come away from a good win perhaps sometimes teams might let complacency come in and you might not perform to the standards that you would like, but I think we are definitely not going to let that happen.'

"I think we will take a lot of positives from that game, but at the same time, we will use that as momentum to take into the next game."

Despite their league position St Johnstone have been in good form of late; in fact, they have only lost one of their last six games in all competitions.

They face another difficult challenge on Saturday when they travel to play a Dundee United side who are very much in the fight for Europe.

Mitchell added: "There is a great togetherness in the group.

"We know we are not in a great position, but I guess there is more for us to gain when you are further down, so that is the sort of positive mindset that we have taken on, and we will continue to do so for the rest of the season."

St Johnstone fans, with the final top and bottom six spots yet to be decided, we asked who you'd least like to face post-split.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Roy: I'd probably prefer Hearts to make the top six, although I don't think their defence is very good. They showed at McDiarmid Park recently that their front three can be very clinical. We have a relatively decent recent record against Motherwell, and if we get St Mirren at home, there's some unfinished business from earlier in the season when we couldn't hold on to a lead in a game we shouldn't have lost.

James: Ideally, we avoid Hearts. We've lost 2-1 to them three times this season, two of which when they were rooted at the bottom of the league. Motherwell, on the other hand, is a team we've been successful against this season, so I would choose them as I believe St Mirren have just a little more about them.

John: We don't want Hearts, our record against them is appalling. Motherwell is a more compelling prospect.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari says his side cannot afford to drop below the standards they set against Celtic last weekend as they fight to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership.

The Saints remain five points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership, but their 1-0 win over the league leaders last time out provided a welcome boost before this Saturday's trip to Dundee United.

Valakari says they must rise to the occasion again in order to narrow the gap to Dundee in 11th.

"The main message to our players has been we need to play better than we played against Celtic because history tells me when you play these big matches and you get the result, the next game is always the most difficult," he said.

"After a performance like this, expectation of the outside people, expectation on our players go higher, but we have set the standard now.

"The main message is we need to do it all over again and a little bit better."

Saints will have to do so without Drey Wright, who damaged ankle ligaments against Celtic and could miss the rest of the season.

"I have used him everywhere. He has started maybe left-back, he ends up right winger, he has played centre-back and ended up left winger," Valakari said.

"You know every game he gives you the performance, so it is a huge huge blow for us."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premiership trip to Dundee United.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• After beating Celtic last weekend, Valakari says they "need to play better", adding that after a result like that "the next game is always the most difficult".

• He says a result and performance like that raises expectations and his team "have set the standard now".

• Valakari was asked if the result has sent a warning to the teams above them in the table – he said they can't control what other teams do. He wants his team to "fight" and see where it takes them.

• With the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic looming, Valakari was asked if the lure of being in the team at Hampden could spur his players on at Tannadice? He said a "good performance" and "showing the big character" could only help players' chances of being in the team at the national stadium.

• He is expecting a tough challenge against a United side that have achieved the "huge success" of securing a top-six finish, describing them as a "versatile strong team".

• Valakari has confirmed versatile player Drey Wright is likely to be out for four to six weeks after injuring his ankle, calling it "a huge blow".

• Striker Uche Ikpeazu, who has been sidelined all season through injury, is back training with the group – it remains to be seen if he will feature before the campaign is over; Barry Douglas returns from injury.

Image source, SNS

• Dundee United have won both of their league meetings with St Johnstone this season, but haven't won three in a row against the Saints in the top-flight since January 2002 under Alex Smith (run of four).

• St Johnstone have lost each of their past four league games against newly-promoted opposition (two v Dundee last season, two v Dundee United this season), as many as their previous 29 beforehand (W10 D15 L4).

• Dundee United have 47 points in 32 Scottish Premiership games this season (W13 D8 L11); since the competition rebrand in 2013, only four newly-promoted sides have had 50+ points from 33 games when the division splits into the top and bottom halves: Hearts in 2015-16 (60), Rangers in 2016-17 (58), Hibernian in 2017-18 (59), and Hearts in 2021-22 (57).

• After only winning four of their first 23 league games this season (D3 L16), St Johnstone have since won four of their past nine (D2 L3), beating league leaders Celtic 1-0 last time out.

• St Johnstone have 29 points in 32 Scottish Premiership games this season (W8 D5 L19); since the competition rebrand in 2013, only four sides have had fewer than 30 points when the league splits into two halves after 33 games and avoided relegation: Hamilton Academical in 2018-19, St. Mirren in 2018-19, Ross County in 2020-21, and Ross County in 2022-23.

With one round of pre-split fixtures remaining, the final position of three teams is yet to be finalised.

So, with every post-split game crucial to your side's survival, who would you rather avoid in the bottom six: Hearts, St Mirren, or Motherwell?

Tell us why via this link and come back later in the week to see what your fellow fans are thinking.

Sam Miller
Fan writer

There are some certainties in life. Death, taxes and St Johnstone pulling off a result nobody, and I mean literally nobody, saw coming.

Watching the results unfold on Saturday was painful when the realisation hit that the fat lady was singing and our goose was cooked.

Simon Murray FC - sorry 'Dundee' - were at it again, and with the gap at eight points no-one saw us getting anything against the champions-in-waiting.

The spirits of St Johnstone past decided to inject some of our current crop with the energy, determination and belief that we could get the result and upset the odds like so many former Saints teams.

What an absolute incredible shift put in by every single one of the players. The backline, who have been gifting howlers all seasons, put their bodies on the line and showed (finally!) that we aren't going down without a fight.

All of this means nothing unless we can back it up against Dundee United on Saturday. But with the confidence gained from this match, the goose may remain uncooked.

Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints, external