Latest news with #SimoValakari
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Valakari decides against Essel recall'
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has decided against triggering a clause to recall Aaron Essel and the 19-year-old Ghana midfielder will remain on loan to North Texas in the Major Soccer League's third tier until October. (The Courier) Adam Emslie is set to knock back the chance to remain in the Scottish Premiership with promoted Livingston, having also had interest from St Johnstone, with the Aberdeen midfielder preferring a move to Ross County on a two-year contract in a transfer that includes a number of add-ons and future incentives. (Daily Record) Advertisement Adam Emslie is wanted on a permanent transfer by Ross County, but they face competition from a host of clubs and the winger could yet remain with Aberdeen. (Press & Journal) Derry City have agreed to end Paul McMullan's contract six months early as the Scottish winger wants a return home and Ayr United, Raith Rovers and St Johnstone are all interested in the 29-year-old. (Daily Record) Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Valakari decides against Essel recall'
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has decided against triggering a clause to recall Aaron Essel and the 19-year-old Ghana midfielder will remain on loan to North Texas in the Major Soccer League's third tier until October. (The Courier), externalAdam Emslie is set to knock back the chance to remain in the Scottish Premiership with promoted Livingston, having also had interest from St Johnstone, with the Aberdeen midfielder preferring a move to Ross County on a two-year contract in a transfer that includes a number of add-ons and future incentives. (Daily Record), externalAdam Emslie is wanted on a permanent transfer by Ross County, but they face competition from a host of clubs and the winger could yet remain with Aberdeen. (Press & Journal), externalDerry City have agreed to end Paul McMullan's contract six months early as the Scottish winger wants a return home and Ayr United, Raith Rovers and St Johnstone are all interested in the 29-year-old. (Daily Record), externalRead Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
STV News
6 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Valakari embracing life in Championship as he plots top-flight return
Simo Valakari says St Johnstone will embrace life in the Championship as he plots a return to the top-flight at the first time of asking. The Perth club were relegated, ending a 15-year run in the Premiership, after finishing bottom of the table last season. And while Valakari, who took over from Craig Levein in October, is aware of how tough and unforgiving the second tier can be, he is aiming to put 'all the little things' in place to give his side the best chance of an instant return. As St Johnstone players returned for pre-season this week, he said: 'It's good to be back with the players, during the off-season you work behind the scenes on different things and reflecting on the season previous. 'We look at the experience we got from that and how we can improve going forward, and working with recruitment, but you can't beat this feeling being back with the players. 'We are all looking forward now, we have reflected very brutally and honestly on last season and what we could have and should have done better. 'Now it is about life in the Championship, and we are very eager to get going and very excited to be here. 'We know how tough a league it is, but that is where we are now, and we want to take the club back to the Premiership; that is our aim. 'We want to rebuild and make the club stronger. Wherever that takes us, you never know, it is a long season, and to win promotion and win the title, we will need all the little things to go our way. 'So it is too early to say for sure that we are going to do this or going to do that, all we can do is focus on one day at a time and make the best for ourselves, and then maybe we have a chance.' The Saints get their competitive season under way against East Kilbride in the group stages of the League Cup on July 12. They will also play Raith Rovers, Elgin City, and Inverness Caley Thistle in that competition, before beginning their Championship campaign with a home game against Partick Thistle on August 2. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
'Scottish Gary Neville' offers vigorous defence of 'excellent' 29 y/o coach amid surprise SPFL appointment
The young Spanish coach is set to join Scottish Championship outfit St Johnstone. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... St Johnstone have urged to ignore any negativity around their surprise appointment of 29-year-old coach Jordi Aluja, with the young Spaniard hailed as an 'excellent' capture for the Scottish Championship side. Currently in charge of Finnish reserve side AC Oulu, Aluja is set to join Simo Valakari's backroom staff as part of a summer reshuffle that has already resulted in Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland departing McDiarmid Park following the club's relegation from the Scottish Premiership last season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to a report from The Courier, Aluja has agreed to join the Saints and will land in Scotland this weekend in order to submit a work permit application. If approved, he will join Valakari's backroom staff alongside goalkeeper coach Gordon Marshall and performance manager, and Valakari's son, Paavo. Spanish coach Jordi Aluja is set to join Simo Valakari's backroom staff at St Johnstone. Cr: YouTube. | YouTube Despite his young years, Aluja has built up almost a decade worth of experience in the game have started his professional career in Spain with CF Amposta in 2016. Working as an assistant coach for Angkor Tiger in Cambodia, he first moved to Finland in 2020 to join Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat. Despite having a positive reputation in Europe, his imminent arrival has drew scepticism from sections of the St Johnstone support, with one fan site saying they were concerned the club were 'rolling back on appointing experienced Scottish assistant', adding that the Aluja's appointment felt like a 'big risk' for the recently relegated Perthshire outfit. However, the club's decision has been praised by former St Johnstone head scout, and current manager of SJK Seinäjoki, Stevie Grieve. The 38-year-old - nicknamed 'the Scottish Gary Neville' due to his analytical approach to football - has carved out an impressive career of his own having started his coaching career at the age of just 16 in a local community centre in his native Perth. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Simo Valakari's was unable to keep St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership last season. | SNS Group. Progressing through grassroots football, Grieve was handed his first senior role in academy football with Dundee FC's under-17 team, and has enjoyed a diverse coaching career that has taken him to India, USA and Switzerland.
The Courier
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Dundee United set for St Johnstone test as Tayside foes agree pre-season tussle
St Johnstone will face Dundee United at McDiarmid Park as the Tayside rivals step up preparations for the new campaign. The fixture will take place on July 15, with a 7.30pm kick-off, squeezed between the Saintees' Premier Sports Cup games against East Kilbride and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Simo Valakari's side will also welcome newly-promoted Premiership outfit Falkirk to Perth on July 8, with a 7.30pm start time. That adds to the previously announced trip to Forfar Athletic on July 5. United's trip to McDiarmid comes just nine days before the Tangerines' first Europa Conference League qualifier. United will also play games against Brechin City (June 28) and Arbroath (July 5), with futher fixtures still to be announced.
