Simo Valakari, the Finnish manager who took over St Johnstone in October 2025, has been candid with his squad about the approach required to survive and thrive in Scotland’s top division. Speaking to Sky Sports News, he emphasized that the team must be "solid and streetwise" if they hope to make a meaningful impact upon their return to the Premiership. Valakari’s tenure began in the middle of the 2025‑26 season, a period that ultimately saw the Perth‑based club drop down to the Scottish Championship after a disappointing campaign. Despite the setback, the manager and his players regrouped and embarked on a mission to bounce straight back up.
Their efforts bore fruit, as St Johnstone clinched promotion at the first attempt, losing only three league games during a dominant title run. The club now prepares to face Kilmarnock on Sunday in their opening Premiership fixture, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. While the promotion campaign was impressive, Valakari is quick to point out that the challenges of the top flight are of a different magnitude. "We know what we are, but we cannot be this naive, beautiful, nice team coming out of the Championship playing nice football," he said.
In his view, the team must shed any lingering complacency and adopt a more pragmatic, hard‑nosed style. "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 broader philosophy that blends his preferred possession‑based approach with the physicality and mental toughness traditionally required in the Premiership.
He believes that a balance between technical skill and gritty determination will be essential for St Johnstone to avoid a repeat of the previous relegation. This dual focus will be tested from the first whistle against a Kilmarnock side eager to secure points on their own return to the top tier. In preparation for the season, Valakari has retained the core group that earned promotion while also bolstering the squad with eight new signings.
These additions bring a mix of experience and fresh talent, expanding the team’s tactical options and depth. The manager explained that the recruitment process began well before the Championship campaign concluded, allowing the club to secure players on two‑ or three‑year contracts early on. "It was important that we started this process already before our Championship season," Valakari noted. "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." One notable departure was forward Josh McPake, who agreed a pre‑contract with Hearts in January and will leave St Johnstone at the end of the season. Valakari acknowledged the loss but stressed that the squad’s overall balance remains strong. "These new additions have added their own personality, their qualities in our squad.
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." The manager is confident that the squad possesses sufficient depth to cope with the inevitable rigors of a Premiership campaign. He highlighted the importance of a solid foundation, noting that the team has both quality starters and capable backups who can step in when needed. "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. Looking ahead, Valakari’s message to his players is clear: maintain the humility that helped them earn promotion, but also adopt a more aggressive, street‑smart mindset to survive against stronger opposition.
The upcoming match against Kilmarnock will serve as a litmus test for this new approach. A solid defensive performance, combined with the ability to capitalize on limited chances, could set the tone for the rest of the season. Fans can tune in to watch the Scottish Premiership live on Sky Sports, where St Johnstone’s return will be closely followed. The club’s journey from relegation to immediate promotion showcases resilience, and the manager’s emphasis on being "solid and streetwise" reflects a realistic assessment of the challenges ahead.
As the season unfolds, St Johnstone will aim to prove that they can compete not just survive, and perhaps even thrive, in Scotland’s premier football competition. For those interested in the broader Scottish football experience, streaming options are available through NOW, and the league continues to offer exciting matchups throughout the campaign. Additionally, a promotional Super 6 competition offers fans a chance to win £250,000, adding an extra layer of engagement for supporters across the country.