Sven Sprangler says ‘everyone believes’ St Johnstone can avoid relegation

Sven Sprangler insisted St Johnstone’s dressing room is loaded with belief and energy despite the fact they languish five points adrift at the foot of the William Hill Premiership.

Saints looked doomed as a grim run of just two points from nine games left them nine points behind second-bottom Hearts in mid-January.

But six wins and two draws from their last 10 matches in all competitions has taken Simo Valakari’s resurgent side into the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-finals and given them renewed optimism that they can climb out of last place over the course of the remaining eight matches.

“Everyone is positive, everyone believes, and a lot of that comes from our training staff,” said recently-appointed captain Sprangler. “The gaffer brings so much energy to us, and on every training session we give everything and we put every effort in to improve as players and as a team.

“We have the quality in our dressing room, and if we are doing the right things I still believe that everything is possible.

“I know what the lads are capable of, and everyone is still positive in the changing room. Not only in the changing room, the whole club. You see in every game the support from the fans, it’s massive. Now we keep fighting until the end.”

Austrian midfielder Sprangler has let Saints get under his skin since joining in September 2023 and he will not be short of “passion” as he bids to help them stay in the top flight.

“Since day one, I love to be part of the club, I love to be part of the city,” he said. “The training, the lads, the people around the club, everyone, I love them. Now it’s like a family here, it’s my second family.

“Everyone I know from the changing room is passionate about it. If we lose everyone is disappointed, but if we win, it’s so much better.

“Everyone loves to be here. Everyone gives everything for the gaffer, for the club, for the city.”