Simo Valakari, the Finnish manager at the helm of St Johnstone, has emphasized to his squad that they must become "solid and streetwise" if they hope to make a meaningful impact in Scotland's top division. Valakari, who took over the Perth club in October 2025, was unable to prevent their drop to the Scottish Championship that season, but he guided them straight back to the Premiership at the first attempt, securing promotion with a dominant campaign. The team’s return to the premier tier is set for Sunday when they face Kilmarnock in a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Their promotion run was impressive: St Johnstone suffered only three defeats in the league and clinched the title, demonstrating a blend of consistency and resilience.
Yet Valakari is realistic about the step up in quality and physicality that the Premiership demands. "We know who we are, but we cannot be that naive, beautiful, nice team that simply drifts out of the Championship playing pretty 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, that is our style and we want to keep those principles, but we also need to be ready for this challenge and sometimes be streetwise." His comments underline a philosophy that blends the club’s traditional attacking flair with a more pragmatic, defensively disciplined mindset.
The manager believes that without a certain level of grit and tactical awareness, the team could struggle against the more experienced and physically imposing sides in the top flight. In preparation for the new season, Valakari has managed to retain the core group of players who earned promotion while also bolstering the squad with eight fresh signings.
This blend of continuity and new talent is intended to give St Johnstone both the chemistry of a familiar group and the added quality needed to compete at a higher level. One notable departure was the forward Josh McPake, who agreed a pre‑contract with Hearts in January and will leave the club. Valakari explained that the recruitment process began well before the end of the Championship campaign.
"It was important that we started this process already before our Championship season," he said. "We secured the players on two‑ or three‑year deals, so we never wanted to be caught without a plan after the Premiership season. That's why I'm very, very happy." The new arrivals have brought their own personalities and attributes, enriching the squad’s depth.
Valakari highlighted the balanced nature of the team, noting that while injuries are inevitable in a long campaign, the club possesses a solid foundation and sufficient depth to cope with setbacks. "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 affirmed.
The manager’s call for a "streetwise" approach reflects a broader trend in modern football where tactical flexibility and mental toughness are as crucial as technical skill. For St Johnstone, this means adopting a more robust defensive structure, pressing intelligently, and being prepared to exploit set‑piece opportunities—areas that can often decide tight matches in the Premiership. Fans can look forward to watching the team’s evolution as they test these ideas against seasoned opponents. The upcoming clash with Kilmarnock will serve as an early barometer of how well Valakari’s blend of style and substance translates to the highest level.
A solid performance could boost confidence, while any early setbacks will provide valuable lessons for the weeks ahead. Beyond the tactical adjustments, Valakari’s emphasis on maintaining the club’s identity is significant.
He wants St Johnstone to retain the attractive, possession‑based football that endeared them to supporters, while adding the necessary edge to survive and thrive among Scotland’s elite clubs. Overall, the manager’s message is clear: St Johnstone must combine their proven attacking instincts with a newfound defensive resilience and a pragmatic, street‑smart mentality. If they can achieve that balance, they stand a good chance of not only surviving their first season back but also establishing themselves as a competitive force in the Scottish Premiership.
The match against Kilmarnock will be streamed live on Sky Sports, offering supporters a chance to see how Valakari’s vision unfolds on the pitch. As the season kicks off, all eyes will be on St Johnstone to see whether their blend of continuity, fresh talent, and a hardened approach can deliver the results they need in Scotland’s top tier.