St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has shared his thoughts ahead of his side’s upcoming match against Celtic this Sunday at McDiarmid Park, where the two teams will meet in the Scottish Premiership. The Finnish manager, who made 32 appearances for Finland and played for clubs like Motherwell and Derby County during his playing career, has long admired Celtic’s style of play, particularly their relentless work ethic and ruthlessness on the field. In a recent interview with Gordon Duncan on Sky Sports, Valakari spoke candidly about what makes Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic team so formidable, highlighting their intensity, consistency, and clinical approach.

Valakari expressed that Celtic’s consistency in being “ruthless” is a significant aspect of their success and something that he deeply respects. “What I like about them is that they’re so ruthless,” Valakari stated. He went on to praise Celtic’s ability to maintain their intensity and focus throughout the entire game, not letting up even when they are ahead. This kind of mentality is something that Valakari sees as crucial to Celtic’s dominance, both domestically and in European competitions, particularly under Rodgers’ management. Whether the team is winning by a few goals or in a tightly contested match, they always press forward with the same determination, making sure they finish the job and rarely drop points. For Valakari and his St Johnstone squad, the upcoming match presents a massive challenge. St Johnstone, currently at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, are in dire need of points to avoid relegation, and they will need to summon all their strength, tactical discipline, and belief if they are to stand a chance against such an accomplished team.

Despite St Johnstone’s lowly position, Valakari is adamant that his team must remain focused and take confidence from the unpredictability of football. “Football is crazy,” he said, acknowledging that anything can happen on the day, regardless of how tough the task may appear. “We need to go and believe in ourselves,” he continued, stressing the importance of maintaining a positive mindset despite their struggles. His words reflect an attitude that his players must adopt: to play with the belief that anything is possible in football. St Johnstone’s form has been disappointing this season, but Valakari is determined that his team will not give up without a fight. “We cannot give up. We know it’s going to be difficult, but we have to give it our all, no matter what,” he added.

With St Johnstone currently sitting five points adrift of safety and just seven matches remaining, their fight to avoid relegation has become even more urgent than ever. Every point counts for the Perth Saints, and the upcoming clash against Celtic is one of the biggest hurdles they will face in their bid for survival. However, despite their precarious position, Valakari is keen to point out that this match offers an opportunity to compete without the constant pressure of relegation hanging over them. The Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic, which will follow this weekend’s league match, will provide an opportunity for his team to play with a different mindset. The fixture against Celtic in the league may be seen as a difficult, almost unwinnable match, but the cup tie will give them a chance to play without the immediate fear of relegation.

Celtic, on the other hand, are marching towards a potential fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership title. They are enjoying an incredible run of form and will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the table with a crucial win on Sunday. A victory would bring them within just two wins of securing the 55th league title in their history, assuming their closest rivals, Rangers, win their match against Hibernian. Brendan Rodgers’ side has been in imperious form all season, and their dominance over St Johnstone has been clear. Celtic have won both previous encounters against the Perth Saints in commanding fashion, with a 6-0 victory at McDiarmid Park in September followed by a 4-0 win at Celtic Park in December. The sheer disparity in quality between the two sides has left many wondering if St Johnstone can put up a credible challenge this time around, especially with the added pressure of their precarious league position.

Valakari, however, remains focused on his team’s effort rather than the result. He knows that despite the daunting task ahead, football is unpredictable, and St Johnstone must throw everything at the challenge, hoping for an upset. “For us, it’s a big challenge,” Valakari said, but also reminded his players to trust in their own abilities and not get discouraged. Even if the result is not in their favour, Valakari stresses the importance of learning from the experience and continuing to improve with each match. “We have to be better than we were last time. We need to learn from the defeats and find ways to be more competitive,” he added. He acknowledged that Celtic’s class and experience make them difficult to break down, but he believes that his players can still give them a run for their money if they approach the game with confidence and a fighting spirit.

The match on Sunday will also be notable for the absence of referee Alan Muir, whose controversial decisions in the past, including failing to award Celtic a clear penalty during their match against Motherwell earlier this season, have drawn heavy criticism. Instead, David Dickinson will take charge of the match for the third time this season when officiating Celtic. Dickinson has previously refereed Celtic’s 3-0 victory over Motherwell and their 0-0 draw with Dundee United, so his presence at McDiarmid Park is expected to bring a more balanced officiating performance. Dickinson will be assisted by linesmen Dougie Potter and Steven Traynor, with VAR duties handled by Greg Aitken and Andrew McWilliam. St Johnstone fans, many of whom have voiced their dissatisfaction with Muir’s previous performances, will likely welcome this change in officiating, hoping for a more fair and consistent approach in a match that could be pivotal to their survival hopes.

Despite their current form, St Johnstone will be buoyed by the fact that this fixture, unlike their league encounters, offers an opportunity to compete without the weight of relegation hanging over them. The Scottish Cup semi-final clash against Celtic presents one of their final opportunities to lift spirits and play without the constant pressure of relegation weighing on their shoulders. The chance to play in a semi-final at Hampden Park, regardless of the opponent, could prove to be a morale booster for the team, providing an emotional lift at a crucial stage of the season. However, with just seven games remaining in the Premiership, they will need a significant upturn in form to avoid automatic relegation and potentially secure a playoff place. The team will need to focus on the league’s post-split fixtures, which will be pivotal to their survival hopes. If they can gather some momentum, particularly through their cup run, it might give them the confidence needed to tackle the final stretch of the season.

For Celtic, the match is another opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table and edge closer to another league title. With around 7,000 Celtic supporters expected to make the trip to Perth, the atmosphere is sure to be electric, with the Hoops looking to maintain their momentum as they head into the business end of the season. A win would leave Celtic just two victories away from securing another Premiership title, which would represent a significant achievement under Brendan Rodgers’ leadership. The Hoops have shown that they are more than capable of navigating the challenges that come with a long and demanding season, and a win on Sunday will put them in an even stronger position.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 12:00 PM on Sunday, April 6, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. For Celtic fans outside of Britain and Ireland, the match will be available on Celtic TV, ensuring the global support of the club will be behind them as they look to continue their impressive campaign.

With St Johnstone facing a difficult battle to stay in the Premiership, their Scottish Cup semi-final clash against Celtic offers one of their final opportunities to lift spirits and play without the constant pressure of relegation. The coming weeks will prove crucial for the Perth Saints as they fight for their survival and look to build some momentum for the remainder of the season. Valakari’s team must summon every ounce of strength and determination as they attempt to navigate their way out of the relegation zone and into the safety of the Premiership for another season. However, whether in the league or the cup, St Johnstone’s clash with Celtic will be a defining moment in their season. The outcome of this match could shape the course of their future, and Valakari is determined that his team will give everything they have to make it count.