St Johnstone confirm Valakari as new head coach

Simo Valakari says "together we tin create thing special" astatine St Johnstone aft being confirmed arsenic nan Scottish Premiership club's caller caput coach.

The erstwhile Motherwell midfielder joins aft leaving his station astatine Latvian broadside Riga FC and replaces Craig Levein, who was sacked a fortnight ago.

The 51-year-old has won home honours successful Finland and Latvia crossed his 14-year managerial career.

"It is my job, on pinch nan unit and nan players, to prosecute nan fans," said Valakari, who goes into his caller domiciled pinch St Johnstone connected a six-game winless run.

"First we request to play breathtaking shot and show we each attraction for nan badge we are playing for. Then you, nan St Johnstone fans, will thief america and together we tin create thing special."

Valakari started his coaching profession successful his homeland and guided SJK to top-flight promotion earlier winning their first Veikkausliiga title successful 2015.

The erstwhile Derby County midfielder besides claimed some home cups during his clip astatine SJK earlier a three-year stint astatine Tromso successful Norway.

Valakari, who played much than 100 games for Motherwell and won complete 30 Finland caps, would return location and declare consecutive Finnish Cups pinch KuPS.

Then came a move to Latvia, wherever a short stint astatine FK Auda was followed by a move past twelvemonth to Riga, wherever he won nan Latvian Supercup.

St Johnstone proprietor Adam Webb said: "Simo has a singular imagination for nan future. His experience, enthusiasm and productivity will service america good successful nan years ahead."

As portion of nan appointment, Gus MacPherson will now go caput of shot operations, scouting and recruitment.

And St Johnstone besides confirmed nan interim guidance squad of Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland will stay successful complaint for this weekend's crippled against Rangers astatine Ibrox.