Simo Valakari, the Finnish head coach of St Johnstone, has laid out a clear directive for his squad as they step back into Scotland’s top division: the team must be both solid in structure and street‑wise in attitude if they hope to make a lasting impression in the Premiership. Valakari, who assumed the managerial reins at 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 responded emphatically, securing promotion at the first attempt and earning the right to return to the top flight for the 2026‑27 campaign. The Saints will open their Premiership campaign on Sunday with an away fixture against Kilmarnock, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Their promotion run was marked by consistency; they suffered only three defeats in the league as they chased the Championship title. Despite that success, Valakari is realistic about the step up in quality and intensity that the Premiership demands. In a candid interview with Sky Sports News, he explained that while the team knows its own strengths, it cannot afford to be naïve or overly genteel when facing seasoned top‑division opponents. "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 emphasis on being "hard to beat" and "ruthless" reflects a desire for the team to develop a mental edge as well as a tactical one. In practical terms, this means adopting a compact defensive shape, pressing intelligently, and capitalising on set‑piece opportunities—attributes that often separate the Premiership survivors from those who quickly return to the Championship.
Valakari also highlighted the importance of street‑smartness, a term that in football parlance can be interpreted as an awareness of the game's nuances, the ability to adapt mid‑match, and the willingness to seize any advantage, however small. In preparation for the upcoming season, Valakari has managed to retain the core group of players that earned promotion while also bringing in eight fresh faces to bolster the squad. This blend of continuity and new talent should give St Johnstone a balanced roster capable of handling the rigours of top‑flight football.
Among the departures, forward Josh McPake has left for Hearts after signing a pre‑contract in January, a move that underscores the fluid nature of player movement during a club’s transitional phase. Valakari explained the strategic timing of his recruitment drive: "It was important that we started this process already before our Championship season.
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 versatility: "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." The manager’s confidence is underpinned by a comprehensive pre‑season program that focused on both physical conditioning and tactical cohesion. The coaching staff has drilled the team on maintaining a compact defensive block, transitioning quickly from defence to attack, and executing set‑pieces with precision—areas that are often decisive in tightly contested Premiership matches.
Moreover, Valakari has encouraged a culture of accountability within the dressing room, urging players to hold each other to high standards and to exhibit the street‑wise mentality he described. St Johnstone’s return to the Premiership also carries financial and commercial implications. The club’s matches will be featured on Sky Sports, providing increased exposure and potential revenue streams that can be reinvested into the squad and facilities. The heightened profile may also attract further sponsorship opportunities and help in retaining emerging talent.
Fans can follow the action live through the NOW streaming service, which offers a dedicated Scottish Premiership channel, and the games will also be available on Sky Sports for traditional broadcast viewers. The excitement surrounding the Saints’ comeback is palpable, and the club is keen to demonstrate that their promotion was not a one‑off event but the beginning of a sustainable presence in Scotland’s elite league. In summary, Valakari’s message to his players is clear: stay disciplined, be mentally sharp, and embrace a pragmatic, street‑wise approach to every match. By combining the solidity of a well‑organised defence with the adaptability and cunning required at the highest level, St Johnstone aims to not only survive but to compete respectably in the Premiership.
The season ahead will test the squad’s depth, resolve, and ability to execute the manager’s vision, but with a solid foundation and a clear game plan, the club is poised to make a meaningful impact on their return to Scotland’s top flight.