St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari thinks leaving the Perth club is the best thing for Fran Franzak, who is poised to sign for Odra Opole in his Polish homeland, because the 18-year-old midfielder was unlikely to find game time this season despite having become their youngest-ever first-team player. (The Courier, external)
Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNSRuari Paton has returned to St Johnstone after a successful loan period, with Port Vale accepting an undisclosed fee for the forward.
The 25-year-old, who scored five goals in 13 Championship appearances last season, has signed a contract at McDiarmid Park until the summer of 2028.
"The whole feeling of last season was really special and I loved every minute of that achievement," Paton told Saints' media as he looks forward to next term in the Premiership.
"I actually loved every single thing about the club. The place, the people. I always felt happy here and I wanted to come back.
"I never felt like I was on loan. I built a connection with the guys on the pitch and never had a bad interaction with anyone off it.
"I feel I have a great connection with the supporters too and everyone who works in the building. It feels like home."
Polish-born midfielder Fran Franczak is poised to join Odra Opole in his homeland's top flight after the 18-year-old's release by St Johnstone. (Courier - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSLogan Chalmers has backed himself to make the "step up" to the Scottish Premiership following a five-year top-flight absence after leaving Partick Thistle to sign for St Johnstone.
The 26-year-old, who has signed a two-year contract for the Championship winners, last played in the Premiership as a subsitute for Dundee United in a 3-1 defeat by Hibernian in December 2021.
Since then, he has played in the Championship for Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Ayr United and Thistle, as well as League Two for Tranmere Rovers.
Last season, he scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in 44 outings for Thistle, who finished runners-up to St Johnstone.
"Saints were a very good team last season and won the league for a reason," Chalmers told St Johstone's website. "There was real consistency week in, week out. Now I want to add to that.
"I had a few calls with the gaffer. From the first time I spoke to him, I could see myself playing here.
"He was passionate and put across how we want to play really well.
"It's obviously a step up in the Premiership, but I believe in myself and that I am capable of adding something to the team."
Chalmers, who joined Thistle from Ayr two years ago, turned down the offer of a new contract with the Glasgow club.
Thistle head coach Mark Wilson told his club website: "In my 16 months as part of the first-team management set-up, Logan's been one of the most consistent performers in the squad, producing goal involvements galore while also buying into the work ethic of the group.
"He was a big part of what got us off to such a strong start last season. He'll be missed."
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari says he can take his time to target another goalkeeper now Ross Sinclair has signed a new contract. (Courier - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSRoss Sinclair has extended his contract with St Johnstone
Ross Sinclair wants to "kick on" at St Johnstone after agreeing a new contract at McDiarmid Park.
The 25-year-old's new deal runs until 2028, having first joined the Perth club in 2019. Fifteen of his 58 senior club appearances have been with Saints, who have loaned him out four times.
"I have been at this club for a long time," Sinclair told club media. "It is an important place for me and for my family. This is my home.
"We have a great group of boys and, last season, the togetherness was key to our success. We'll look to use that to kick-start our season in the top flight. Everyone is already excited for the games to show what we can do."
St Johnstone are back in the Scottish Premiership in season 2026-27 after winning the Championship.
Late last season, Sinclair was sent on an emergency loan to St Mirren and made seven appearances as the Paisley side avoided relegation via the play-offs.
And he added: "I was very grateful for that opportunity at the end of last season and I feel it was a good experience for me. I felt like I did well. Now it's time to kick on."
Image source, SNSSinclair spent the end of last season on an emergency loan at St Mirren
St Johnstone goalkeeper Ross Sinclair has signed a new deal keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028.
The 25-year-old joined St Mirren on an emergency loan at the end of last season and made five appearances, including in their relegation play-off against Partick Thistle, as the Buddies retained their top flight status.
Sinclair, who came through the youth academy in Perth has made 15 first team appearances for the club.
"I'm delighted to be here and I'm really looking forward to the challenge," Sinclair told club media.
"I have been at this club for a long time. It is an important place for me and for my family. This is my home.
"We have a great group of boys and, last season, the togetherness was key to our success. We'll look to use that to kick-start our season in the top-flight. Everyone is already excited for the games to show what we can do."
Ruari Paton has negotiated his release from Port Vale and the 25-year-old striker is poised to return to St Johnstone after last season's loan, while 26-year-old winger Logan Chalmers should soon complete his transfer from Partick Thistle. (Courier - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSUnax Alvarez de Eulate believes St Johnstone will "be a nice place for me to play" after moving to the Scottish Premiership club on a two-year contract.
The deal for the 24-year-old is subject to a work permit and clearance. De Eulate leaves CD Guadalajara and was previously with CD Toledo.
"This is a very good opportunity for me," he told St Johnstone media.
"When I saw the club and its history, I felt that this would be a nice place for me to play. I have not played out of Spain but I know this league will be a good level with good fans.
"Technically, I feel I am good and I always like to have a good connection with my team-mates. That is very important to me. I'm a fast player and of course like to score goals."
Image source, SNSMatty Todd aims to add "energy, drive and quality" to St Johnstone after joining the Perth club from Dunfermline Athletic.
The 24-year-old midfielder has agreed a two-year contract and is looking forward to life in the Scottish Premiership with newly-promoted Saints.
"This is a club with great aspirations and I'm really delighted to be a part of that," he told the club website.
"I've had a few calls with the gaffer [Simo Valakari], who told me everything about the club. It all appealed to me so much, and I just could not turn this down.
"I'll look to bring a lot of energy, drive and quality in the final third. I want to produce moments that help the team win games."
Todd made his Dunfermline debut in August 2018. Last season, he scored three goals and provided nine assists as Neil Lennon's side finished fourth in the Championship and reached the Scottish Cup final.
"I'm excited to take the next step," he added. "Saints were the toughest opponents in the league and thoroughly deserved to go up as champions.
"You could see it was a great, ball-playing team. The gaffer has instilled that into the squad and I'm glad to now be part of it."
Dundee United and St Mirren are interested in 25-year-old St Johnstone goalkeeper Ross Sinclair, who has been offered a new deal at at McDiarmid Park. (Daily Record - subscription required)
Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.
Image source, SNSScottish Premiership newcomers have confirmed Paul Gallacher as their new head of goalkeeping following his Hearts exit.
Gallacher, 46, replaces Gordon Marshall, who recently left to take up the same role at Tynecastle.
Former Dundee United and St Mirren keeper Gallacher spent a decade on Hearts' coaching staff and has also worked in the Scotland youth set-up.
"I'm absolutely delighted and thoroughly looking forward to the challenge ahead," Gallacher said.
"I watched St Johnstone a couple of times last season. I thought they were fantastic and played some really exciting football.
"I've already met some of the staff behind the scenes. I could quickly see that it is a family-friendly club and everyone has made me feel very welcome."
Image source, SNSTaylor Steven says he is ready to "cement a place" in the St Johnstone team after signing a new two-year contract.
The Scotland Under-21 winger spent the first half of last season on loan with Arbroath before returning to Perth to play his part in St Johnstone's Championship title success.
Steven has made 41 first-team appearances for Saints and has also featured on loan for East Fife, Alloa and Cliftonville.
"I'm so excited to get back with all the boys for pre-season and give it a really good go," said the 21-year-old.
"It was an unbelievable season and personally, including the loan, a great experience - especially picking up my first senior medal.
"I've been on a few loans now and I feel I've done well at them all. I'm ready to kick on and cement a place in the first team."
St Johnstone goalkeeper Ross Sinclair hopes that his seven-match loan with St Mirren at the end of the season will turn out to be a career "turning point" as the 25-year-old considers the offer of a new contract with his hometown club. (The Courier), external
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNSGordon Marshall is leaving St Johnstone to become the new goalkeeping coach at Hearts.
The former Scotland international, who previously worked with head coach Derek McInnes at St Johnstone and Aberdeen, moves to Tynecastle in June.
He replaces Paul Gallacher, who departs after 10 years' service.
Marshall will be assisted by Jamie MacDonald, who has retired from playing after two years with Hearts' B team.
Hearts have also confirmed Steve Walker will join as the new head of the medical department. Walker has spent the past 15 years as first-team physio at Rangers.
And Will Lancefield ends his five-year stint as Hearts head of recruitment to join Luton Town.
"Will joined the Jambos in 2021 and has played a key role in identifying targets and bringing them to the club, and then integrating Jamestown Analytics into the club's recruitment structure," Hearts said.
Image source, SNSBozo Mikulic is battling his way back from long-term injury
St Johnstone remain in contract talks with centre-half Bozo Mikulic, goalkeeper Ross Sinclair and winger Taylor Steven, but five players have been released as the Perth club prepare for their return to the Scottish Premiership.
Fran Franczak, who became their youngest-ever player when he made his debut aged 16 in 2023, fellow midfielders Stevie Mallan and Jonathan Svedberg, right-back Reghan Tumilty and left-back Scott Bright are to leave at the end of their contracts.
It had already been announced that winger Josh McPake had agreed a contract to join Hearts.
Bozo Mikulic has spent 18 months on the sidelines through injury, Sinclair has returned to McDiarmid Park after helping St Mirren avoid relegation on loan, while Taylor played 10 times after returning from his loan to Arbroath in January.
The exiting Svedberg, 27, joined Saints in January 2025 after leaving Halmstads, and made 16 starts and seven appearances from the bench.
Tumilty, 29, joined last summer after leaving Hamilton Academical, and went on to make 14 appearances – eight from the start and six off the bench.
Mallan, 30, also arrived last summer after a spell without a club, and made 19 appearances.
The 18-year-old Franczak, a Poland Under-18 international, made 28 appearances, 13 of them starts, while fellow youth product Bright, 19, played just four times.
Meanwhile, Hearts defender Adam Forrester, Falkirk forward Alfredo Agyeman, Port Vale striker Ruari Paton and Portsmouth goalkeeper Toby Steward will return to their parent clubs following their loan spells.
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone beat Morton 2-0 in Greenock in March
Promoted St Johnstone avoided Scottish Premiership rivals after the draw for next season's Premier Sports Cup group stage but will face two other league champions.
With the Championship winners among the second seeds, Simo Valakari's side could have been in a section with another top-flight side.
But instead they were drawn with Championship side Greenock Morton, League 1 champions Inverness Caledonian Thistle, East Fife and Lowland League champions Linlithgow Rose.
It will be Ian Murray's first full season in charge of Morton after taking over from Dougie Imrie in January but only just avoiding a relegation play-off by finishing eighth.
Scott Kellacher's Caley Thistle edged out Stenhousemuir on the final day of the League 1 season to make an automatic return to the second tier.
At the same time, Dick Campbell's Fifers just avoided a play-off at the other end of the table as they finished eighth.
Meanwhile, Gordon Herd's Linlithgow were denied a place in the Pyramid Play-off semi-final because of they did not meet the requirements for entry to the Scottish Professional Football League.
Last season, St Johnstone topped their group, beating then Lowland League champions East Kilbride and Caley Thistle before losing to Motherwell in the second round.
Next season's group stage begins on 11/12 July and finishes on 25/26 July.
Bozo Mikulic will attempt to earn a new St Johnstone contract in pre-season with the 29-year-old centre-half's current deal running out after 18 months on the sidelines through injury. (The Courier), external
Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNSGoalkeeper Ross Sinclair will remain at St Mirren on another seven-day emergency loan from St Johnstone.
The 24-year-old joined last week and started in the Buddies' 2-0 defeat to Livingston.
It was the goalkeeper's first appearance since May 2025 when St Johnstone were last in the Scottish Premiership.
St Mirrren's first-choice keeper Shamal George remains on the sidelines while back-up Ryan Mullen is out for at least three months with a thigh tear sustained in the Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Celtic.
Image source, SNSJosh McPake backs himself to be a success next season when he makes the switch from St Johnstone to Hearts.
The 24-year-old winger has scored 19 goals this season, helping the Perth side win the Scottish Championship and promotion back to the top flight.
But it was announced in January that he had signed a pre-contract agreement to join the current Premiership leaders this summer.
"I think I am ready to take that step up," he told BBC Scotland. "I know Hearts are a massive club, but I back myself.
"I could do it here and I think I can do it at Hearts as well and we'll need to wait and see next season."
McPake was speaking after helping Saints beat Raith Rovers 2-0 on the night the Perth side were presented with the Championship trophy.
"I feel brilliant," he said. "What a result and what a season we've had.
"As a team collectively, we've been brilliant all season and this just tops it off."
McPake started his career with Rangers but had loan spells with Dundee, Greenock Morton, Harrogate, Morecambe, Tranmere Rovers and Queen's Park before finding himself released and joining Stirling Albion.
He then suffered relegation to League 2 before being snapped up by St Johnstone in June 2024.
McPake paid tribute to Simo Valakari for the manager's role in his fine season.
"This club's been absolutely brilliant for me at a time I needed it and hopefully I've repaid them," he added as he explained their warm embrace at the final whistle.
"It was emotional for me and for Simo, just for what we've done for each other."
