St Johnstone 4-3 Kilmarnock: Simo Valakari’s fearless approach helps Premiership new boys make flying start
Simo Valakari’s team was presented with, perhaps, a defining test of their Premiership credentials in the 53rd minute of an opening-day thriller.
Despite dominating, St Johnstone disbelievingly found themselves 3-2 behind to a poor Kilmarnock side.
Their captain, Jason Holt, had just put past his own keeper, Toby Steward, who had been culpable at Killie’s second goal four minutes earlier.
Neil McCann’s men were gifted the lead and the momentum as defensive frailties in the top-flight new boys were exposed for all to see. The fear, from the Perth stands, was that a team fresh from Premier Sports Cup elimination might fold.
The reaction was a superb reflection of Valakari’s personality and leadership of this squad.
He made the bold, attacking changes required to turn the game on its head. His players responded by clambering back in front for good, with two goals to ensure McDiarmid Park’s flag day truly was a celebration.
Simo Valakari celebrates after inspiring St Johnstone to a thrilling victory over Kilmarnock
Saints are jubilant after an own goal by Michael Schjonning-Larsen turns the game on its head
Substitute Kai Fotheringham takes the acclaim after netting a late winner at McDiarmid Park
Valakari knew there had been plenty chatter about his stylish Championship winners being found out; that possession wouldn’t convert into many precious Premiership points. Well, three from a wild match on opening weekend is a terrific start when the Finn is far from finished adding to his squad.
Valakari admitted: ‘That was a test of character. The Premiership is different; there was a lot of talk about that. Would we be this team who plays nice football in the Premiership but concedes goals and loses?
‘How the players pushed until the end was very good. That’s what football is all about — the emotions and suffering in parts of the game.
‘We know there are lots of things we need to improve on. But, as a football fan and a football romantic, it was a beautiful match.
‘I never doubted the character of my players. I felt the togetherness.’
Killie were a pale shadow of the confident group McCann dragged away from relegation in the spring. Their play out from defence was sloppy from the start, typified by Aaron Tshibola stumbling on 16 minutes to help Saints go in front.
Sam Stanton picked up the pieces, Ruari Paton then Jamie Gullan continued the break and Josh Fowler applied a deadly finish from eight yards.
It was a massive goal for the striker who left Beith Juniors for Dubai three years ago. Prolific for Queen’s Park in the first half of last season, Fowler scored just twice in 17 games for Saints before this breakthrough strike.
Completely against the run of play, the visitors made it 1-1 before the interval. Greg Kiltie ghosted onto Tom Lowery’s headed knockdown to slam a close-range shot past Steward.
Saints went 2-1 ahead on 47 minutes when Cheick Diabate met Gullan’s corner with a powerful downward header.
This lead was cheaply given up when Steward’s hesitancy meeting a cross allowed Joe Hugill to get a touch in and loop the ball over him.
Steward then saved at full-stretch from Nicky Clescenco but Holt wandered into the rebound and knocked it over his own line.
Holt, defensive midfield colleague Reece McAlear and Paton were taken off as Valakari launched a daring comeback bid. After Logan Chalmers and Kai Fotheringham were introduced, Louis Lloyd made it three attacking switches.
The Welshman, with his first touch, helped Gullan’s free kick on and the ball went in off defender Michael Schjønning-Larsen.
As Saints went for the jugular, Stanton had a long spell as Saints’ only central midfielder. The abandon paid a big dividend. On 80 minutes, Fowler exchanged passes with Fotheringham. The ex-Dundee United forward jinked onto his right foot to take out Bailey Rice and shape space for a strike before drilling in his first Premiership goal.
Jack Baird became a crucial third central defender in the closing stages, winning the headers that mattered.
Visiting boss McCann admitted: ‘We were really poor; we are much better than that.
‘I don’t think we played enough good football to even merit being 3-2 up. But when you get there, you shouldn’t lose from that position.
‘The fourth was a ridiculous goal to lose. We let ourselves down, the club down and the fans down.
‘St Johnstone were better than us. We just weren’t at it.’