St Johnstone Manager Simo Valakari Reflects on International Break, Losing Streak, and Upcoming Kilmarnock Challenge

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari spoke to the media in anticipation of Saturday’s match against Kilmarnock. The following are key points from his press conference: Valakari expressed his eagerness for the team’s return to Premiership action after the international break, stating that “it has been a long two weeks” since their defeat by Motherwell. He noted, however, that the hiatus proved “very beneficial” for addressing injuries and allowed the team to “spend more time together, more time on the training field and get more of the little details right.” Addressing Saints’ recent sequence of defeats, Valakari commented: “Three losses in a row is not us, we don’t like it.” The Finnish manager conveyed his satisfaction with the “good competition” for centre-back positions, explaining that it offers “flexibility for different situations and makes us stronger.” Valakari stated he is “very excited” to face a “strong” Kilmarnock team and affirmed that his side “know what we need to do.” He described Killie as having “good, physical and capable players” and a “handful of strikers who are a very big threat in the box.” Regarding potential transfer activity in January, Valakari remarked: “It depends on what we do today or tomorrow, what kind of window we will be in.”