Simo Valakari, the Finnish head coach of St Johnstone, has laid out a clear directive for his squad as they prepare to re‑enter the Scottish Premiership: they must be solid, resilient and street‑wise if they hope to make a real impact at the highest level of Scottish football. Valakari, who took over the Perth‑based club in October 2025, experienced the disappointment of seeing his side drop into the Scottish Championship after a difficult season, but he quickly turned that setback into motivation.
By the end of the campaign, St Johnstone secured promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt, setting the stage for a crucial opening fixture against Kilmarnock on Sunday, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. During the promotion run‑in, the team suffered only three defeats in the league, a testament to their consistency and determination.
However, Valakari is quick to point out that the qualities that carried them through the Championship will not be enough on their own in the Premiership. In an interview with Sky Sports News, he warned against a naïve approach, emphasizing that the club cannot simply rely on being a "nice" side that plays attractive football without the necessary grit. "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 remarks underline a philosophy that blends the club’s traditional attacking ethos with a renewed emphasis on defensive organization and mental toughness. He wants his players to retain their identity—playing attractive, possession‑based football—while also developing a sharper edge, a willingness to win duels, and a pragmatic approach to games that demand results over style. In preparation for the season, Valakari has managed to retain the core group that earned promotion, while also bolstering the squad with eight new signings.
This blend of continuity and fresh talent is intended to give St Johnstone a balanced roster capable of coping with the rigors of top‑flight competition. One notable departure was forward Josh McPake, who agreed a pre‑contract with Hearts in January and will leave the club before the new campaign begins. Valakari explained that the club’s recruitment strategy began well before the final Championship season concluded.
"It was important that we started this process already before our Championship season," he told Sky Sports News. "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 stress that the squad now possesses depth and quality across the pitch. "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," Valakari added. The manager’s call for a "street‑wise" mindset reflects an awareness of the physicality and intensity that characterise the Premiership.
He wants his side to be tactically adaptable, to understand when to press, when to sit deep, and how to exploit opponents’ weaknesses without losing their own identity. This pragmatic approach is designed to help St Johnstone navigate a league where the margin for error is slim and where even a single lapse can result in a costly defeat. St Johnstone’s return to the top tier will be watched closely by supporters and pundits alike. The club’s fans will be eager to see whether the blend of seasoned campaigners and new arrivals can translate the confidence of a promotion-winning season into sustained success against established Premiership clubs.
The opening match against Kilmarnock offers a perfect litmus test for Valakari’s philosophy: can the team combine technical skill with the hard‑nosed determination he demands? Beyond the tactical considerations, Valakari’s emphasis on mental fortitude highlights the psychological side of the game.
He believes that a team’s belief in its own resilience, its willingness to fight for every ball, and its capacity to stay composed under pressure are as vital as any tactical plan. By fostering a culture where players hold each other accountable and maintain high standards, the manager hopes to embed a winning mentality that will serve the club throughout the season. In summary, Simo Valakari’s message to St Johnstone is clear: retain the beautiful, attacking football that earned them promotion, but overlay it with a tougher, more disciplined approach.
The club has secured a solid foundation through strategic contracts and targeted signings, ensuring depth and versatility. As the season kicks off, the team’s ability to blend flair with grit, to be both street‑wise and true to their playing philosophy, will determine whether they can survive and thrive in Scotland’s premier league. Fans can catch the opening Premiership fixture live on Sky Sports, and the club encourages supporters to follow the journey throughout the campaign.
The stakes are high, but with Valakari’s clear directives and a squad prepared both physically and mentally, St Johnstone aims to prove that they belong in the top flight and can compete with the best teams in Scotland.