Simo Valakari vows to leave nostalgia aside on return to Motherwell

Former Motherwell midfielder Simo Valakari will try and put the nostalgia to one side as the St Johnstone manager prepares to return to Fir Park for the first time in almost a quarter of a century.

The Finn spent four seasons at the Steelmen as a player before moving on to Derby and is fondly remembered by supporters.

“I have been watching and following Motherwell a long time, for many reasons,” the 51-year-old said.

“I see a very strong team who have a good team chemistry who are working for each other, who have some special players, with some pace, some good midfielders with the ball, some good defenders. It’s a very solid team. We need to find our way to hurt the opponent.

“On the other hand, it is nice to go back to Fir Park because that was the place I started my professional career.

“I played my last game for Motherwell in 2000 when we beat Rangers 2-0. It’s now 24 years, I have not been back there.

“It will be nice to see the stadium again, to see the fans, but we have a big job with St Johnstone and this is our thing now, so full focus.”

Valakari held talks over a managerial return to Fir Park on more than one occasion but he will return with a different club after taking over in Perth last month.

“Not even one day did I think I would get the chance to manage in the Scottish Premiership,” he said.

“I have been working very hard to get here and I am so happy and proud to be manager of St Johnstone.

“It’s a great moment to go back there but my sole focus… we leave the nostalgia. Great memories, they never go, I never forget them, but now it’s a new chapter.”