St Johnstone get permission to speak to Riga boss Simo Valakari over vacant post

St Johnstone look set to focus on Simo Valakari as their new managerial appointment after getting permission to speak to the former Motherwell midfielder.

The Riga manager has emerged as the frontrunner after Saints saw the likes of Ayr manager Scott Brown and Larne boss Tiernan Lynch pull out of the running.

Former Celtic captain Brown signed a contract extension with Ayr and Lynch was reportedly unable to agree personal terms.

St Johnstone also got permission to speak to Aberdeen assistant manager Peter Leven but the former Kilmarnock midfielder is staying at Pittodrie.

That has paved the way for Valakari and the former Finland international confirmed St Johnstone’s interest after his side’s 1-0 victory over Liepaja on Sunday.

The 51-year-old said in his post-match media conference: “They have asked permission to talk with me. The club said yes but I have not been talking with them yet due to the respect of my players and due to the respect of this game. But we had it now.”

Valakari was a popular figure during four seasons at Fir Park before joining then Premiership Derby in 2000. He has previously held talks with Motherwell over managerial vacancies but could now return to Scotland with a different club.

As a manager, Valakari has won three Finnish Cups and finished runners-up in the league four times with two different clubs, had a spell as assistant manager of his national team, and been in charge of Norwegian club Tromso.

He moved to Latvia in 2023 and led FK Auda to their highest finish in the league, third, before moving to Riga, who sit second in the league.

Saints lost 6-0 to Celtic on Saturday in Andy Kirk’s second game as caretaker manager following the sacking of Craig Levein.