St Johnstone

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Ruari Paton scored twice and was involved in St Johnstone's two other goals in Saturday's 4-2 friendly win at Cove Rangers.

Josh Fowler set up Paton for Saints' opener but Destiny Oladipo soon levelled for Scottish League 1 Cove.

Paton drew a foul that resulted in a penalty, which Fowler converted, and Fotheringham's one-two with Paton ended with a third Saints goal before half-time.

And Paton netted again in the second period before one of Cove's trialists replied.

Recent recruits Daniel Finlayson and Zach Mitchell started for the Perth side and Logan Chalmers came on in the second half.

Simo Valakari's St Johnstone open their competitive season with a Premier Sports Cup fixture away to Linlithgow on Tuesday (19:45 BST).

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari says it is now decision time over Bozo Mikulic with the 29-year-old defender featuring in all their pre-season matches as a trialist after his contract ran out on his return from long-term injury. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Sunday's Scottish gossip

St Johnstone won't be offering Max Anderson a contract after a short trial period for the former Dundee midfielder, while winger Liam McCarron and defender Bozo Mikulic continue to train with the Perth club. (The Courier - subscription required, external)

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Toby Steward has returned for a second season-long loan with St Johnstone after signing a new three-year contract with Portsmouth.

The 21-year-old made 45 appearances last season as Saints won the Championship title and a return to Scotland's top flight, keeping a league record 20 clean sheets.

Steward told St Johnstone's website: "I'm so excited to be back. I had a great time last year.

"As soon as I heard there was interest, I wanted to come back.

"It's a new challenge for us this season – a really good league with strong opposition. But this is a great opportunity for me."

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho told his website: "It's no surprise that they wanted him back and we're pleased that he will now get a chance to test himself at a higher level.

"We have given Toby a new contract because we believe he has a very bright future in the game and I look forward to seeing how he performs during the 2026/27 campaign."

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Charlton Athletic centre-half Zach Mitchell has returned to St Johnstone with "unfinished business" after spending part of last season at Hibernian.

The 21-year-old had a stint in Perth during the 2024-25 season when Saints suffered Scottish Premiership relegation.

Simo Valakari led the club back to the top flight at the first time of asking and Mitchell says the manager played a significant part in his return.

"I fell in love with the place and the fans as well," said the centre-back, who played 10 times for St Johnstone in his previous loan. "Their support was always amazing.

"I also enjoyed how the gaffer works and that was a big part in me coming back to Perth. I really enjoy his style and philosophy and, after speaking to him, I know we can be competitive this year and push on.

"After having a great season last year and gaining promotion back to the Premiership, it is nice coming into a club that is on the way up again.

"I was gutted last time not to be able to see the season out due to injury, so I almost feel I have unfinished business here. I want to hit the ground running.

"I know my body and my game better. I am really positive and optimistic about the season ahead."

Mitchell started last season on loan to Hibs but was recalled by the Championship club in January after having made only two appearances.

The Bromley-born defender came through Charlton's youth ranks and previously played 28 times on loan to Colchester United in League Two.

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Summer St Johnstone signing Unax Alvarez is likely to miss the start of their Premier Sports Cup campaign after picking up an injury during pre-season.

The 24-year-old winger, signed from Deportivo Guadalajara after their relegation from Spain's third tier, twisted his ankle in last week's 4-0 friendly win over Forfar Athletic.

Head coach Simo Valakari told Saints TV: "But the good news is nothing is broken.

"It is just a twisted ligament, so it will be a couple of weeks unfortunately."

There is more chance of defender Morgan Boyes and forward Louis Lloyd making the group stage opener against Linlithgow Rose on Tuesday, 14 July.

"Louis, the good news, MRI is clear, so I hope him in some capacity will join the team training next week," Valakari said.

"And same with Morgan Boyes. He's been working very hard, already on the field with our physios.

"I think he will take some part in football training next week."

St Johnstone continued their preparations with a 3-0 win away to League 1 side Montrose on Saturday, but Valakari gave much of the credit to 21-year-old goalkeeper Craig Hepburn.

"We all need to thank Heppy, our goalkeeper - he was fantastic," he said. "He made the saves. He kept us in the game and that's why we have three good goalkeepers."

Nevertheless, Valakari added that he was confident the "commitment, attitude, their ownership, responsibility for the team, it's there and that gives us the foundation to be successful".

Zach Mitchell, the 21-year-old centre-half whose spell with Hibernian was cut short last season, is poised to return for a second loan term with St Johnstone from Charlton Athletic, Saints manager Simo Valakari has confirmed. (The Courier, external)

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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St Johnstone made it two wins from two in their pre-season outings as they coasted past League One side Montrose with a 3-0 victory.

Goals from Ruari Paton, signed permanently from Port Vale over the summer, and defender Chieck Diabate had Simo Valakari's side two goals up at the break.

Just after the hour mark, half-time sub and new signing Logan Chalmers. It's their second victory of the nascent summer, after a 4-0 win over Forfar on Tuesday.

In the first of the BBC Scottish Football Podcast's Premiership previews ahead of the new season, actor Colin McCredie and Danny Williams from the Dogger Saints podcast assess St Johnstone's chances as they return to the top flight after winning the Championship.

Manager Simo Valakari's performance is likely to be judged around Christmas time - and how vital is it that goalkeeper Toby Steward returns on loan from Portsmouth?

St Johnstone have handed a trial to former Dundee midfielder Max Anderson after the 25-year-old left Crawley Town. (Daily Record, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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St Johnstone had four different scorers and fielded new signings Logan Chalmers, Unax Alvarez de Eulate and Matty Todd in a comfortable friendly win over Forfar Athletic at Station Park on Tuesday evening.

Sam Stanton headed the visitors in front and Kai Fotheringham and Josh Fowler added further goals before half-time. Taylor Steven completed a 4-0 victory after the break.

Chalmers and Todd started, with De Eulate replacing the former at half-time.

The Scottish Championship winners next face Montrose at Links Park on Saturday (14:00 BST).

St Johnstone are poised to bring back 21-year-old goalkeeper Toby Steward for a second loan spell from Portsmouth. (The Courier, external)

Dundee United and St Johnstone are interested in Nemanja Krsmanovic after the 23-year-old left-back left Serbian top-flight club Spartak Subotica. (The Herald, external)

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari thinks leaving the Perth club is the best thing for Fran Franzak, who is poised to sign for Odra Opole in his Polish homeland, because the 18-year-old midfielder was unlikely to find game time this season despite having become their youngest-ever first-team player. (The Courier, external)

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Ruari Paton has returned to St Johnstone after a successful loan period, with Port Vale accepting an undisclosed fee for the forward.

The 25-year-old, who scored five goals in 13 Championship appearances last season, has signed a contract at McDiarmid Park until the summer of 2028.

"The whole feeling of last season was really special and I loved every minute of that achievement," Paton told Saints' media as he looks forward to next term in the Premiership.

"I actually loved every single thing about the club. The place, the people. I always felt happy here and I wanted to come back.

"I never felt like I was on loan. I built a connection with the guys on the pitch and never had a bad interaction with anyone off it.

"I feel I have a great connection with the supporters too and everyone who works in the building. It feels like home."

Polish-born midfielder Fran Franczak is poised to join Odra Opole in his homeland's top flight after the 18-year-old's release by St Johnstone. (Courier - subscription required), external

Monday's Scottish gossip

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Logan Chalmers has backed himself to make the "step up" to the Scottish Premiership following a five-year top-flight absence after leaving Partick Thistle to sign for St Johnstone.

The 26-year-old, who has signed a two-year contract for the Championship winners, last played in the Premiership as a subsitute for Dundee United in a 3-1 defeat by Hibernian in December 2021.

Since then, he has played in the Championship for Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Ayr United and Thistle, as well as League Two for Tranmere Rovers.

Last season, he scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in 44 outings for Thistle, who finished runners-up to St Johnstone.

"Saints were a very good team last season and won the league for a reason," Chalmers told St Johstone's website. "There was real consistency week in, week out. Now I want to add to that.

"I had a few calls with the gaffer. From the first time I spoke to him, I could see myself playing here.

"He was passionate and put across how we want to play really well.

"It's obviously a step up in the Premiership, but I believe in myself and that I am capable of adding something to the team."

Chalmers, who joined Thistle from Ayr two years ago, turned down the offer of a new contract with the Glasgow club.

Thistle head coach Mark Wilson told his club website: "In my 16 months as part of the first-team management set-up, Logan's been one of the most consistent performers in the squad, producing goal involvements galore while also buying into the work ethic of the group.

"He was a big part of what got us off to such a strong start last season. He'll be missed."

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari says he can take his time to target another goalkeeper now Ross Sinclair has signed a new contract. (Courier - subscription required), external

Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Ross Sinclair wants to "kick on" at St Johnstone after agreeing a new contract at McDiarmid Park.

The 25-year-old's new deal runs until 2028, having first joined the Perth club in 2019. Fifteen of his 58 senior club appearances have been with Saints, who have loaned him out four times.

"I have been at this club for a long time," Sinclair told club media. "It is an important place for me and for my family. This is my home.

"We have a great group of boys and, last season, the togetherness was key to our success. We'll look to use that to kick-start our season in the top flight. Everyone is already excited for the games to show what we can do."

St Johnstone are back in the Scottish Premiership in season 2026-27 after winning the Championship.

Late last season, Sinclair was sent on an emergency loan to St Mirren and made seven appearances as the Paisley side avoided relegation via the play-offs.

And he added: "I was very grateful for that opportunity at the end of last season and I feel it was a good experience for me. I felt like I did well. Now it's time to kick on."

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St Johnstone goalkeeper Ross Sinclair has signed a new deal keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028.

The 25-year-old joined St Mirren on an emergency loan at the end of last season and made five appearances, including in their relegation play-off against Partick Thistle, as the Buddies retained their top flight status.

Sinclair, who came through the youth academy in Perth has made 15 first team appearances for the club.

"I'm delighted to be here and I'm really looking forward to the challenge," Sinclair told club media.

"I have been at this club for a long time. It is an important place for me and for my family. This is my home.

"We have a great group of boys and, last season, the togetherness was key to our success. We'll look to use that to kick-start our season in the top-flight. Everyone is already excited for the games to show what we can do."

Ruari Paton has negotiated his release from Port Vale and the 25-year-old striker is poised to return to St Johnstone after last season's loan, while 26-year-old winger Logan Chalmers should soon complete his transfer from Partick Thistle. (Courier - subscription required), external

Friday's Scottish gossip

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Unax Alvarez de Eulate believes St Johnstone will "be a nice place for me to play" after moving to the Scottish Premiership club on a two-year contract.

The deal for the 24-year-old is subject to a work permit and clearance. De Eulate leaves CD Guadalajara and was previously with CD Toledo.

"This is a very good opportunity for me," he told St Johnstone media.

"When I saw the club and its history, I felt that this would be a nice place for me to play. I have not played out of Spain but I know this league will be a good level with good fans.

"Technically, I feel I am good and I always like to have a good connection with my team-mates. That is very important to me. I'm a fast player and of course like to score goals."