Simo Valakari says St Johnstone ‘need to show what kind of team we are’

Simo Valakari challenged his St Johnstone players to show their mettle after they slipped to the foot of the William Hill Premiership for the first time this season.

The Finn replaced Craig Levein at the start of October at a time when the Perth side were a point above Kilmarnock and two above last-placed Hearts, and after winning three of his opening seven matches in charge they looked to be heading in the right direction.

But a run of four games without a win this month, culminating in a 2-1 defeat away to the Jambos on Sunday, left Saints at the bottom of the pile for Christmas.

Valakari stressed that there are “still plenty games to play” but he is under no illusions about the predicament in which his team now find themselves as they prepare for their Boxing Day match at home to Dundee United.

“There’s nobody behind us,” said the Saints boss. “We have put ourselves in this position and we are the only ones who can get us out of it.

“I believe in my players. They are honest players who are not making excuses about the situation.

“They are not feeling sorry for themselves. They are suffering.

“Are they at 100 per cent maximum confidence? Of course not, because they are losing football matches.

“But at the same time, we are a football team and sometimes you lose, and in those moments you need to show what you are. This is kind of our moment. We need to show what kind of team we are.

“We need to be ready for our next match at home. That is the opportunity when it all starts, the climbing of the table.”

Influential duo Nicky Clark and Kyle Cameron missed the trip to Hearts, but Valakari chose not to reveal whether he expected them to be available for Thursday’s match against United.