St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari hopes Achilles injury victim Sam McClelland, 22, can return before the end of the season. (Courier - subscription), external
Sam Miller
Fan writer
I've never known a St Johnstone manager to have built up so much credit in the bank with the fans as Simo Valakari.
In his short time with the club the Finn has conducted himself magnificently.
He has turned up to fan forums and charity football matches. If you asked him, he would turn up to the opening of an envelope if it was to help the club or local community.
The way he comes across in interviews as well is first class.
The players must be buzzing playing for someone like that and I really hope the board back him next month in the transfer window.
A little bit more quality and we will be okay.
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone have only lost one of their last 11 home league meetings with St Mirren (W7 D3), going down 1-0 in April 2022. The Perth side have kept nine clean sheets in this spell.
St Mirren have won three of their last four top-flight meetings with St Johnstone (L1), as many as their previous 12 beforehand (D6 L3).
In 2024, St Johnstone have picked up fewer home points (10) and lost more home matches (10) in the Scottish Premiership than any other side.
Only Ross County (3) have earned fewer away points in the Premiership this season than St Mirren (4), who have lost six of their last eight on the road in the competition (W1 D1).
Both of St Johnstone's last two league goals have been scored by 20-year-old Makenzie Kirk. A goal against St Mirren will see Kirk become the youngest player to score in successive league appearances for the Perth club (20 years, 312 days) since Ali McCann in February 2020 (20y 63d).
Nicky Clark, 33, is enjoying being St Johnstone captain and being a creative force in their team. (Courier - subscription), external
Jack Sanders: A stout performance at the back from the St Johnstone defender as Simo Valakari's side impressed at Pittodrie to earn a valuable point against high-flying Aberdeen.
We asked for your views on St Johnstone's 1-1 draw against Aberdeen.
Here's what some of you said:
Jim: We are playing better since Simo Valakari arrived, his positivity is filtering through to the players. The small crowd of us Saints fans at Pittodrie were very vocal and were rewarded with a good team performance. The only thing missing is getting the second goal, which will come and will bring us more points.
Dunc: Slowly and surely progress is being made. After the shambles of the dying embers of Callum Davidson's reign, and whatever Craig Levein was doing, we can begin to breathe more easily. Work in progress.
Willie: The players are buying into the manager's philosophy. The signs are positive and the fans must get behind the team. The battle of the Saints next week is huge.
Sportscene analysis: 'St Johnstone youngster Kirk starting to grow and develop really well'
Watch highlights as Aberdeen draw 1-1 against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership. (UK only)
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone secured a well-earned point at Aberdeen on Saturday
Makenzie Kirk is convinced wins will come for St Johnstone after they delivered another "really good" performance in their draw at Aberdeen.
The 20-year-old forward scored the opener at Pittodrie, his third goal in eight games, before the Dons responded after the break.
Simo Valakari's side have won just once in their last six games, but Kirk is certain victories will follow if they continue playing the way they are.
"We just need to keep doing what we are doing," Kirk told BBC Scotland. "It is only a matter of time before we get the points on the board.
"The performances over the last few weeks have been really good. I think we are progressing and we are doing really well.
"It is just about picking up the points now and keeping positivity around the place."
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone committed 19 fouls in this match, higher than their season average of 11.3 in the Premiership.
St Johnstone have conceded five goals in the first 15 minutes of second halves, only Motherwell (six) and Kilmarnock (six) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.
Aberdeen have failed to win in their last five games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from January 2024 to March 2024, a run of 11 games.
Aberdeen's winless run in the Scottish Premiership stretched to five games after St Johnstone claimed a draw at Pittodrie.
Makenzie Kirk pounced to give the lively visitors the lead after James McGarry sclaffed Matt Smith's cross off his own face as he attempted to clear.
However, half-time changes from Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin again made the difference as his side improved after the break.
Ante Palaversa teed up his fellow substitute Luis 'Duk' Lopes, who drove into the box and cut back for Leighton Clarkson to tap in the equaliser.
Were you at Pittodrie or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "A good performance from our boys against a very good team. Excellent first half, we created good moments and were solid. Credit to Aberdeen for how they scored, but the rest of the match we kept them to not being as dangerous.
"Where we have been struggling is we have not been solid in defence. We know we have a threat and can play, but we first need to be solid to have the foundation to attack.
"The last few games we have been solid. Credit to Kyle Cameron, it's not easy to step in during the warm up, but one of our values is we have to always be ready. He was fantastic."
Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone will take a lot of confidence from claiming a point at Pittodrie, where only Celtic have won this season.
However, they might feel they could have won it having shaded the game in terms of chances.
Simo Valakari has changed the style of play and they are a side full of energy which looks to play forward and combine in tight spaces.
Nicky Clark was brilliant again in knitting things together, while Kirk continues to grow at this level.
Kimpioka, with more composure and tighter control, could have made more of the space he was afforded on the break, but his pace frightened Aberdeen.
The biggest plus is they have conceded just twice in their last three matches, which is a huge defensive improvement.
The caveat for Valakari is the good performances are not yielding enough wins, with just two in seven games since the Finn took charge.
Other than a trip to Celtic Park on 29 December, they have very winnable games coming between now and the beginning of January.
They need to convert some of those into victories.
Image source, SNSMakenzie Kirk took his moment to score the opener well, but also created chances with crosses and lead the line effectively.
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has revealed that KuPS refused to allow him to sign then 19-year-old Topi Keskinen for £40,000 before the winger went on to join HJK Helsinki then sign for Aberdeen in a transfer worth more than £800,000 this summer. (The Courier), external
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNSJack MacKenzie is back in training for Aberdeen but will not be risked. Dimitar Mitov (hamstring) and Pape Habib Gueye (quad) remain out.
St Johnstone defender Andre Raymond is out after getting stitches in a foot injury while Barry Douglas is a fitness doubt.
Saints are still without long-term absentees Uche Ikpeazu (knee), Cammy MacPherson (hip) and Sam McClelland (Achilles).
Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone midfielder Sven Sprangler says Simo Valakari's "positive" nature is fuelling the momentum behind the club.
The Perth side have picked up three of their four top-flight wins since the Finn was appointed in early October, and Sprangler is relishing life under their new manager.
"He's so positive, he wants the club and the fans to be as one," the Austrian said prior to Saturday's trip to face Aberdeen.
"He's so enthusiastic, he brings a lot of energy and everyone gives everything for the club, for the gaffer.
"Since he's here, we are more enjoying playing football and also on the pitch we are creating more chances. We are more offensively shaped, we are more sharp on the front foot. So yeah, that's the main point.
"I told everyone I love it to be here in Scotland. I enjoy every minute of being here, it's like a dream come true to play here in Scotland."
St Johnstone currently sit ninth in the Premiership - three points off the bottom - as they prepare to face an Aberdeen side who occupy second place but are winless in four.
"I'm looking forward to having another chance, another game, another three points to win," Sprangler added.
"We know what Aberdeen are capable of. We know their strengths, so we have to be on our best to beat them.
"They played during midweek, but we know their quality, so it will be a tough fight."
Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland
With Celtic disappearing over the horizon, attention turns to the next best in the Premiership standings.
Aberdeen have stumbled in recent weeks, allowing Rangers to make up ground. The gap is four points with the Ibrox side having a game in hand.
Jimmy Thelin made a near-supernatural start as Dons manager, going all the way to November before tasting defeat. Aberdeen followed that League Cup semi-final crushing by Celtic with a handsome home win over Dundee but have lost two and drawn two in the league since.
So how will the Swede respond? In much the same unflappable way, most likely. And there is no sense of despondency after a gutsy display in the 1-0 midweek loss to the leaders on the back of battling draws away to the two Edinburgh clubs.
Thelin's first taste of the Premiership was a 2-1 success at St Johnstone and home fans will be confident of a repeat at Pittodrie, where the Dons had won seven from seven before they were edged out by Celtic.
However, Saints did take four points from the first two of three visits to the north east last season and have not lost successive league matches away to Aberdeen since March 2018.
Read all the weekend's Premiership picks
Matt Smith was told he is very much in Simo Valakari's plans when the 25-year-old midfielder sought out the St Johnstone manager after being an unused substitute in back-to-back games. (The Courier), external
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari will move players out of the club in January to free up funds in order to facilitate new signings. (The Courier), external
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.
