Ruthless SPFL boss wants to keep just TWO stars next season as he wields axe on squad with ex-Scotland duo told to leave
MAKING THE CUT Ruthless SPFL boss wants to keep just TWO stars next season as he wields axe on squad with ex-Scotland duo told to leave
AXEMAN Simo Valakari only wants to keep TWO of his relegated St Johnstone players.
Sven Sprangler and Drey Wright are the only McDiarmid Park stars set to be offered new deals.
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Simo Valakari is gutting his relegated St Johnstone squad
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Their only remaining cup double winner Stevie May, centre, is leaving
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Barry Douglas (also departing) and May are the side's only Scotland capped players
Credit: Andy Barr
Valakari has been ruthless in gutting the Saints squad following their drop into the Championship.
Sprangler and Wright will now be offered reduced terms in line with those under contract, who are all suffering wage drops.
Graham Carey, Nicky Clark, Matt Smith, Benji Kimpioka, Max Kucheriavyi, Barry Douglas, Cammy MacPherson, Arran Cocks and Liam Parker plus six young players have been told to go.
Under contract players Josh Rae and Andre Raymond, both loaned out in January, have been told they have no future and made available for transfer.
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The goalkeeper Rae had a successful spell with Raith Rovers while Raymond played just four times for fellow Championship side Dunfermline.
Loan stars Andy Fisher, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Sam Curtis, Zach Mitchell and Elliott Watt depart.
Club legend Stevie May, who was part of Saints side for each of their three major cup wins, will also move on this summer after spending the campaign on loan to Livingston, who could pass Saints on the way up if they win the play-offs.
He scored the last of Livi's four goals across the two legs which saw Davie Martindale's men progress past Partick Thistle in the semi-finals.
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May is one of two former Scotland caps to be departing Perth, with his run out coming in a November 2014 friendly against England at Celtic Park.
The visitors won 3-1 with goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wayne Rooney, Andy Robertson netted for the hosts.
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari on loving 'crazy' club owners, his Motherwell days and run-in with a Celtic hero
Barry Douglas played away to Hungary when Alex McLeish picked up the first win of his second spell at the wheel. Matt Phillips scored the only goal of that European Qualifier.
The now-exiting May is also the only player still on the books who was involved in the famous cup double under Callum Davidson, coming off the bench in the League Cup final against Livingston but remaining on it in the Scottish Cup final against Hibs.
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Shaun Rooney scored the only goal in both games four years ago to complete a famous trophy triumph.
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Stevie May and Nathaniel Clyne of England
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Barry Douglas in action against Hungary
Credit: AP
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