St. Johnstone’s Simo Valakari on Rangers’ Home Fortress in Pre-Match Presser

St. Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has previewed the trip to Rangers in Matchweek 10 of the Scottish Premiership. The game is at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, on Saturday 24 October at 3pm, with Chris Graham as referee. Second-placed Rangers have 20 points from nine games, while fifth-placed St. Johnstone have 12.

Valakari spoke about Rangers’ reaction to their last result, the need to stick to his team’s own style, defending in a low block and keeping composure. He also said a win would be “massive”.

Rangers after the Dundee draw

“Rangers may not be the happiest after their last result on the road”

What he said

Valakari began by looking at Rangers’ state of mind. Their last away match was a 2-2 draw at Dundee on Saturday 17 October.

What he meant

Analysis: Valakari is pointing to a Rangers side that left points behind. They had 6 corners to Dundee’s 3 and still conceded twice, and they have let in 7 goals in nine league games.

He expects a reaction from them, and his words suggest he sees that as a challenge to prepare for rather than a weakness to count on.

Rangers back at Ibrox

“Now they go back home and they will really want to show what they can do in front of their own fans.”

What he said

Valakari expects Rangers to be eager to impress on their return to Ibrox.

What he meant

Analysis: The recent record supports his caution. Rangers won all three of their home matches in their last six, beating Motherwell 1-0, St. Mirren 1-0 and Kilmarnock 3-1.

By describing what Rangers will want to show, Valakari is telling his players what kind of atmosphere and start to expect.

Denying Rangers space

“We need to go there and not let them breathe easily.”

What he said

Valakari set out an aim of giving Rangers little time on the ball at Ibrox.

What he meant

Analysis: The message is about intensity from the first minute. Rangers have scored 13 goals in nine league games, and St. Johnstone have conceded 11 in the same number.

Giving Rangers less time to settle is one way to limit the number of chances St. Johnstone face.

Making Rangers uncomfortable

“Our aim is to ask the questions of them and make them a little bit uncomfortable with what’s happening on the field.”

What he said

Valakari said St. Johnstone intend to pose problems for Rangers rather than only respond to them.

What he meant

Analysis: The target is a Rangers defence that has conceded in three of their last six matches, against Falkirk, Kilmarnock and Dundee. They kept clean sheets in the other three.

Valakari wants to unsettle that defence, which fits with his earlier talk of denying Rangers space.

Sticking to the playing style

“We need to play our way of football because when you go to these tough places, there is no point trying to be something different, trying to be something you are not, or you have not been in training”

What he said

Valakari said St. Johnstone will not change their approach for a visit to a difficult ground.

What he meant

Analysis: He is backing a method that has not lost away from home in the last six matches. St. Johnstone drew 1-1 at Dundee and won 1-0 at Aberdeen on Sunday 11 October.

It suggests no tactical overhaul for Ibrox, with the focus on doing familiar things well.

Defending in a low block

“Yes, we know there will be moments when they will push us into a low block, when we need to execute our defending actions at a very high level.”

What he said

Valakari accepted that Rangers will put his side under pressure for spells and that St. Johnstone will have to defend deep.

What he meant

Analysis: St. Johnstone have recent experience of that. At Aberdeen they won 1-0 while conceding 13 corners to their own 2.

Valakari is acknowledging that the match will not be even throughout, and that his team’s defending in those periods will matter most.

Composure under pressure

“But in those moments, we should remember to breathe and show our composure because we are good footballers.”

What he said

Valakari added that his players should stay calm while defending and keep believing in their ability on the ball.

What he meant

Analysis: He is asking for more than defending. Staying composed when the ball is won is how St. Johnstone can leave their low block, and his words suggest he wants them to keep playing.

St. Johnstone have scored 11 goals in nine league games, and their last six matches include only one defeat, 1-0 to Celtic.

The ambition to win

“Of course, it would be massive if we can win.”

What he said

Valakari was open about wanting a victory at Ibrox.

What he meant

Analysis: A win would cut the gap to Rangers from eight points to five. St. Johnstone are on 12 points from nine games and Rangers on 20.

He calls it “massive” rather than expected, which suggests he sees the result as a bonus to work towards rather than a target to promise.

Confidence check: Measured

Valakari sounds measured. He is clear about wanting to win, saying it would be “massive”, but his language is about preparation and execution rather than certainty. He talks of moments when his side will be pushed back and says they must defend “at a very high level”.

The numbers give him some basis for belief. St. Johnstone have won two and drawn two of their last five league games, and they did not lose either of their last two away matches. Against that, Rangers are second in the table, have won four and drawn one of their last five, and have won three home games from three in their last six.

Valakari did not refer to Rangers’ absences in these comments. José Cifuentes, Youssef Chermiti, Lawrence Shankland, Daisuke Yokota and John Souttar are all listed as out.

How to watch

Rangers vs St. Johnstone is not shown live on UK television: Saturday 3pm kick-offs fall in the UK broadcast blackout.