Simo Valakari has laid down a clear directive for his St Johnstone squad as they prepare to re‑enter the Scottish Premiership: they must be "solid and streetwise" if they hope to make a meaningful impact at the highest level of Scottish football. The Finnish manager, who took the helm of the Perth‑based club in October 2025, was unable to prevent their relegation to the Championship at the end of that season, but he has since orchestrated a swift return to the top flight, securing promotion at the first attempt.
St Johnstone’s promotion campaign was impressive, with the team suffering only three defeats in the league as they marched to the title. Yet Valakari is quick to point out that the qualities that carried them through the Championship will not be sufficient on their own in the Premiership.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports News, he warned against complacency and stressed the need for a more pragmatic, hard‑nosed approach. "We know what we are, but we cannot be this naive, beautiful, nice team coming out of the Championship playing nice football," Valakari said. "If we are not hard to beat, if we are not solid, if we are not ruthless about ourselves, it will be difficult.
Yes, it's our way of playing and we want to do these things, but we need to be ready for this challenge and sometimes be streetwise." The manager’s comments underline a shift in philosophy: while St Johnstone will retain the attractive, possession‑based style that earned them fans, they must also add a layer of physicality and mental toughness to survive against the league’s more established sides. This balance of technical skill and gritty determination, Valakari believes, will be essential when they face their first Premiership test against Kilmarnock on Sunday, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. One of the key factors behind Valakari’s optimism is the stability of his squad.
He has managed to keep the core group of players who earned promotion, while also bolstering the roster with eight new signings aimed at adding depth and experience. Among those departures, forward Josh McPake has left for Hearts after signing a pre‑contract in January, a move that the manager acknowledged but framed as part of the broader plan to refresh the team. "It was important that we started this process already before our Championship season," Valakari explained. "We got the players in and we made them two‑, three‑year contracts.
So we knew that we never wanted to be in that situation as we were after the Premiership season. So that's why I'm very, very happy. And then, of course, these new additions have added their own personality, their qualities in our squad." He went on to describe the squad as "very balanced," emphasizing that the blend of retained talent and fresh faces provides a solid foundation for the upcoming campaign. Valakari also acknowledged the inevitable challenges of a long season, such as injuries and fatigue, but expressed confidence that the depth he has assembled will allow the team to cope.
"We have a foundation, we have good players, we have enough depth in our squad as well. We are as ready as you can be after pre‑season to start the Premiership campaign," he said. This sentiment reflects a meticulous preparation period, during which the coaching staff focused on conditioning, tactical drills, and integrating the newcomers into the club’s ethos. Beyond the tactical adjustments, Valakari highlighted the psychological component of returning to the top tier.
The players must shed any lingering mindset of being a lower‑division side and embrace the reality of facing clubs with larger budgets and deeper squads. He urged his team to adopt a streetwise mentality—being alert, adaptable, and willing to exploit every opportunity on the pitch. The upcoming fixture against Kilmarnock will serve as a litmus test for Valakari’s philosophy. If St Johnstone can demonstrate resilience, maintain defensive solidity, and still produce the fluid attacking play that characterised their promotion season, they will send a clear message that they belong in the Premiership.
Conversely, a lackluster performance could expose the gaps that need addressing. Fans can tune in to watch the match live on Sky Sports, and the club encourages supporters to follow the team’s journey through the season via the club’s official channels. In addition to the on‑field battles, St Johnstone is also promoting community engagement initiatives and youth development programs, reinforcing the club’s commitment to its local roots while aiming for success at the highest level.
In summary, Valakari’s call for a "solid and streetwise" approach encapsulates the dual challenge St Johnstone faces: preserving the attractive style that won them promotion while adding the necessary grit and tactical awareness to compete with Scotland’s elite. With a balanced squad, strategic signings, and a clear vision from the manager, the Perth side is poised to make a respectable return to the Premiership, provided they can adapt quickly and stay true to the pragmatic ethos their coach now espouses.