Simo Valakari has laid out a clear directive for his St Johnstone squad as they prepare to re‑enter the Scottish Premiership: they must become "solid and streetwise" if they hope to make a meaningful impact at the highest level of Scottish football. The Finnish manager, who assumed control of the Perth‑based club in October 2025, was unable to prevent their relegation to the Scottish Championship at the end of that season. However, his side bounced back immediately, clinching promotion at the first attempt and earning the right to compete once again among the country’s elite clubs. St Johnstone’s return to the top flight is set for Sunday when they face Kilmarnock in a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The promotion campaign was impressive; the team suffered only three defeats in the league as they surged to the title. Despite this success, Valakari is realistic about the challenges that lie ahead and stresses that a different mindset will be required to survive and thrive in the Premiership. "We know what we are, but we cannot be this naive, beautiful, nice team coming out of the Championship playing nice football," Valakari told Sky Sports News.
"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 from the free‑flowing, aesthetically pleasing style that served them well in the second tier to a more pragmatic, physically demanding approach suited to the Premiership’s intensity. He emphasises that while the club’s identity should not be abandoned, it must be tempered with a greater degree of resilience and tactical astuteness. In other words, St Johnstone must retain their technical strengths but also become tougher, more disciplined, and better at exploiting opponents' weaknesses – the very qualities that the phrase "streetwise" evokes.
In preparation for the new season, Valakari has managed to retain the core group of players that secured promotion, while also bolstering the squad with eight fresh signings. This blend of continuity and reinforcement is designed to give the team both cohesion and the extra quality needed to compete against more established Premiership sides.
Among the departures, forward Josh McPake has left for Hearts after agreeing a pre‑contract in January, a move that reflects the fluid nature of player movement during a club’s transition between divisions. "It was important that we started this process already before our Championship season," the head coach 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." Valakari highlighted the balanced composition of the squad, noting that depth and versatility are crucial when the rigours of a Premiership campaign begin to take their toll. Injuries, suspensions and fatigue are inevitable over a long season, and having a roster capable of absorbing such setbacks is essential. "We have a very balanced squad. But when these real games start happening, maybe there will be injuries, there will be some injuries on some of our players, or things like that.
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. The manager’s optimism is tempered by an acknowledgement of the step‑up in quality they will face. The Scottish Premiership features clubs with larger budgets, deeper squads and more experience at the top level.
Consequently, St Johnstone must be prepared to adapt tactically from game to game, employing a more physical defensive shape when required, and exploiting counter‑attacking opportunities with speed and precision. Valakari’s emphasis on being "hard to beat" suggests a focus on defensive solidity, while the call for "streetwise" play hints at a need for intelligent game management – knowing when to press, when to sit back, and how to make the most of set‑pieces. Beyond the tactical adjustments, the manager also stresses the psychological aspect of the transition. Players must shed any complacency that might have crept in after a successful promotion campaign and embrace a hunger for improvement.
The club’s recent promotion has already generated excitement among supporters, and the upcoming clash with Kilmarnock will be a litmus test for how well the team can translate that enthusiasm into results against seasoned Premiership opposition. In summary, Valakari’s message to his squad is clear: retain the attractive football that earned them promotion, but overlay it with a tougher, more pragmatic approach.
By staying solid defensively, being ruthless in their own standards, and adopting a street‑smart attitude, St Johnstone aim to secure points, avoid immediate relegation, and perhaps even challenge for higher positions as the season progresses. Their preparation, squad balance, and the manager’s strategic vision will be decisive factors as they embark on this new chapter in Scottish football.