Simo Valakari prepares St Johnstone for upcoming Premiership match against Celtic

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari stated that his team must earn their luck to compete against Premiership champions Celtic on Wednesday. The Perth side enters the match with seven points from their opening five league fixtures following their promotion. Valakari acknowledged the significant challenge posed by Celtic, citing the club's deep winning culture and the individual quality of their players. While St Johnstone previously recorded a 1-0 victory over Celtic at McDiarmid Park in April 2025, they also suffered a 5-0 loss to the same opponent in the Scottish Cup shortly thereafter. The manager remains focused on maintaining a competitive mindset regardless of the opposition as his side continues their campaign. Players have been instructed to execute their tactical plans precisely to maximize their chances against the league leaders.

• 4:35 PMYahoo Sports — St Johnstone need to 'earn luck' against Celtic - Valakari