Simo Valakari has laid out 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 reins at the Perth‑based club in October 2025, was unable to prevent the team’s drop into the Scottish Championship that season, but he has since guided them back to the top flight at the first attempt.
Their return match is set for Sunday, when they face Kilmarnock in a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. St Johnstone’s promotion campaign was impressive; the side suffered only three defeats in the league as they clinched the Championship title. Despite that success, Valakari is realistic about the challenges that lie ahead.
He told Sky Sports News that while the team knows its identity, it cannot afford to be "naïve, beautiful, nice" and rely solely on attractive football when stepping up to the Premiership. "If we are not hard to beat, if we are not solid, if we are not ruthless about ourselves, it will be difficult," he warned. "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 street‑smartness reflects a broader tactical shift.
In the Championship, St Johnstone could dominate possession and play a more expansive style, but the Premiership will demand greater physicality, tighter defensive organization, and an ability to adapt quickly to different opponents. Valakari wants his players to combine the technical qualities that have defined the club’s recent success with a tougher, more pragmatic edge that will see them compete against the league’s established powers. One of the key factors behind the club’s swift return to the Premiership has been continuity. Valakari has managed to retain the core group of players that secured promotion, while also bolstering the squad with eight new signings.
This blend of familiarity and fresh talent gives the team a balanced foundation. Among the departures, forward Josh McPake has left for Hearts after signing a pre‑contract in January, a move that opens a space for new attacking options. Valakari explained that the recruitment strategy began well before the end of the Championship season.
"It was important that we started this process already before our Championship season," he said. "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 highlighted the depth of the squad, noting that injuries are inevitable over the course of a long season. "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 affirmed.
This confidence stems from a pre‑season that included rigorous training, tactical drills, and several friendly matches designed to test the team’s resilience and cohesion. The manager’s comments also hint at a cultural shift within the club. The phrase "streetwise" suggests a willingness to be pragmatic, to make the most of set‑pieces, to be disciplined in defence, and to exploit opponents’ weaknesses with intelligent positioning. It is a call for the players to develop a sharper footballing intellect, to read the game better, and to respond swiftly to the fast‑paced demands of top‑flight competition.
St Johnstone’s supporters will be eager to see how this philosophy translates onto the pitch. The club’s fans have witnessed a roller‑coaster of emotions over the past two seasons—relegation, a swift bounce‑back, and now the anticipation of testing themselves against the likes of Celtic, Rangers, and Aberdeen. The upcoming clash with Kilmarnock will serve as a litmus test for Valakari’s approach.
A solid defensive performance, combined with opportunistic attacking play, could set the tone for the rest of the season. Beyond the tactical aspects, Valakari’s leadership style emphasizes unity and mental toughness. He has spoken about the importance of a collective mindset, where each player understands their role and contributes to a shared goal.
By fostering a culture where hard work is valued as much as skill, he hopes to instill a winning mentality that can weather the inevitable ups and downs of Premiership football. In summary, Simo Valakari’s message to St Johnstone is clear: retain the technical flair that earned them promotion, but overlay it with a tougher, more disciplined, and street‑smart approach. With a solid core, new signings adding depth, and a clear tactical vision, the Perth club aims to prove that they belong in the Scottish Premiership and can compete with the established teams.
Their first test against Kilmarnock will be a crucial early indicator of whether this blend of resilience and tactical awareness can translate into sustained success throughout the season.