Simo Valakari, who was appointed the head coach of St. Johnstone on the first day of October, is still waiting for a work permit in Scotland.
Last Saturday, St. Johnstone, who started the Scottish league slowly, won their first home match in the Scottish premier league in 10 months, when the team beat Ross County handsomely 3-0. The full point pot was only the second of the season for Saints.
Although Simo Valakari was still without a work permit and could not sit in the training room, so the Finn’s fresh handprint was visible in St. Johnstone’s playing as energy and a new way of playing. The defensive game was also tighter than before.
Valakari, 51, who signed a contract with St. Johnstone that runs until 2027, together with the club management, has put the wind in the ground and strengthened his team.
Last week Central defender Bozo Mikulic signed a contract, and today the former Leeds Fullback joined the crew at the end of the season Barry Douglaswhich was without a contract.
The 35-year-old Douglas already watched the Ross County game on Saturday from the stands.
– The project is starting here and the transition period under the new Manager. The team is quite young, so I can bring my experience to the club and help everyone develop at the same time, Douglas said.
– There is a lot of quality in the team. I believe that when we start working under the eyes of the new Manager and with his game system, the only way is up, continued the former Scotland national team player.
St. Johnstone, who are ninth in the Scottish league, next face Dundee FC, who are three places higher, next Saturday. The match should be Valakar’s first official match as a responsible coach. Douglas’ playing license may not be in order at that time.