St Johnstone are back in the Scottish Premiership, and the big question at McDiarmid Park this summer is a straightforward one: can they stay there?
Saints secured an immediate return from the Championship, and manager Simo Valakari — whose distinctive, pressing-oriented approach has already earned its own nickname among the fanbase — now faces the stiffest test of his tenure. Moving up a division is one thing. Surviving it is another entirely.
The Valakari Factor
There is genuine excitement around what Valakari has built at St Johnstone. The so-called 'Simoball' philosophy centres on energy, intensity and a clear identity — qualities that served Saints well enough in the Championship to earn promotion. Whether that same approach translates to the Premiership's sharper, more unforgiving tempo is the question the club's support are wrestling with heading into the new campaign.
The noises out of Perth are broadly positive, but cautiously so. Valakari is working with a squad that has been significantly reshaped over the summer, with an emphasis on bringing in hungry, ambitious players willing to buy into his methods. It is very much a project built on character as much as quality.
Toby Stewart Key to Saints' Hopes
One piece of business that has gone down particularly well with supporters is the return of goalkeeper Toby Stewart. Between the sticks, Stewart is viewed as a crucial figure — a reliable, commanding presence who could prove the difference in the tight, low-margin matches that tend to define a relegation battle. For a promoted side, having a dependable goalkeeper is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
His inclusion is expected to provide a platform of stability behind what will inevitably be a side that concedes chances on their return to the top flight. How well Saints hold up when the going gets tough could hinge heavily on Stewart's performances over the coming months.
Summer Rebuild and Fan Concerns
The squad rebuild has been far-reaching. Valakari has cleared the decks in certain areas and brought in faces who fit the profile he wants — players with a point to prove and the physicality to cope with Premiership demands. That approach carries risk, of course. New signings need time to bed in, and St Johnstone will not have the luxury of a slow start.
Off the pitch, there has been some discontent among the support over changes to season ticket arrangements. It is the sort of background noise that clubs returning to the top flight are often forced to manage — balancing the commercial realities of competing at a higher level with the expectations of a fanbase that has backed the club through difficult times.
What to Expect This Season
Realistically, Saints' primary objective is survival. The Premiership bottom half is fiercely competitive, and Valakari will be well aware that newly promoted sides frequently find the first few months brutal before finding their footing. The market reflects a side expected to be involved in the lower reaches of the table come the spring.
However, there is enough belief within the dressing room and on the terraces that this group — galvanised by a strong character, a clear playing identity and the return of a quality goalkeeper — can make a genuine fist of it. Whether Simoball is Premiership-proof, we are about to find out.
Frequently asked
- How did St Johnstone get promoted back to the Scottish Premiership?
- St Johnstone won promotion back to the Scottish Premiership after an immediate return from the Championship, where they had been relegated the previous season.
- Who is the St Johnstone manager and what is Simoball?
- St Johnstone's manager is Simo Valakari, and 'Simoball' is the nickname fans have given to his high-energy, pressing style of play that he has implemented at McDiarmid Park.
- Who is Toby Stewart and why is he important for St Johnstone?
- Toby Stewart is a goalkeeper who has returned to St Johnstone and is regarded as a key signing ahead of their Premiership campaign, offering stability and reliability between the sticks.