St Johnstone

St Johnstone defender James Brown has signed a one-year contract extension, saying last season's strong finished helped convince him to stay.

The Malta international, 25, joined Saints in January 2021, initially on loan, and has played 61 games for the Perth side.

"We have an honest group of lads and I really enjoyed the back end of last season," he said.

"There are multiple people at Saints I have a lot of time for and it’s an environment I love being in every day.

"Consistently playing and the way that we finished the season strongly helped me make my mind up to stay at the club.

"I look forward to working hard and seeing what we can achieve this season."

Manager Steven MacLean is thrilled to retain Brown and insists there is "more improvement" to come from him.

"He showed how good he can be when he played right-back for me in the last five games of the season. He came in and did excellently," said MacLean.

"I don't want him to just be steady, I want him to be better and I want to help him get better."

Image source, SNS

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Steven MacLean wants St Johnstone to play “high-energy” attacking football and has challenged the squad to get his first full season in charge off to a flier with a perfect League Cup group-stage campaign.

The Perth side have friendlies against Dunfermline and East Fife next month before kicking off their League Cup campaign in a group featuring Ayr United, Alloa, Stenhousemuir and Stirling Albion.

MacLean, whose side report for the start of pre-season training on Thursday, told the club website: "I will be using the friendlies to make sure we are ready for the League Cup.

“Some people might see the League Cup still as pre-season friendlies with the timing of it. I can assure you I want to not only do well, but finish top of that group, simple as that. We want four wins and good performances.

"Going into this season I want to make sure we play high-energy football. I want my side to always play on the front foot and to play to win, no matter what.

“I think you will see we need to be adaptable as well, so we might adopt different systems to achieve my goals.”

Jamie Murphy has joined Championship club Ayr United on a two-year deal following his St Johnstone exit.

The former Scotland winger, 33, moved to McDiarmid Park from Hibs last summer and went on to score five times in 29 appearances for Saints.

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Stevie May believes fellow St Johnstone striker Chris Kane is ready to hit the ground running next term after missing most of last season injured. (Courier - subscription)

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip

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St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean says he has "a great nucleus of a squad" but he is keen to welcome new players to Perth.

MacLean was rewarded with the top job at the Saints after securing Scottish Premiership survival with three games to spare, and has since undergone his pro-licence course.

There has been plenty change at McDiarmid Park already, with stalwart David Wotherspoon departing and long-serving midfielder Murray Davidson retiring to name just two departures.

MacLean, though, views this window as an opportunity to freshen things up.

"We had a big turnover in players so there is room for new arrivals, but they have to be the right fit for the team," he told the club's website, external in an update.

"We don't want to rush and sign the wrong player, but we are always looking and trying to strengthen the squad.

"Overall, we have a great nucleus of a squad, but we do have to add a few. If we can add the right ones, then hopefully we can have a really successful season.

"We had a big squad last year and I don't want to run with the same numbers this time around. I am looking for quality, rather than quantity."

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St Johnstone midfielder Daniel Phillips has been called up to represent Trinidad & Tobago in their upcoming Gold Cup fixtures.

The 22-year-old has earned five caps for his country, but could add to that tally with upcoming games against Jamaica, USA and an unknown opponent.

A "delighted" Phillips told the club's website, external, "I’d known I was in the provisional squad since the beginning of May. We were all added to a WhatsApp group to help us sort out visas and everything else in advance.

"I was told I’d be playing in a friendly and staying on for the Gold Cup a few weeks later when my travel plans were sent over.

"It was a target of mine at the beginning of the season. Every chance to represent my nation is a blessing and I am always eager to be involved."

Saints boss Steven MacLean added, "When any of our players are selected for international duty it not only reflects greatly on the club, but hopefully it can improve them as players as well."

Back-up goalkeeper Elliott Parish has left St Johnstone after a four-year spell.

The 33-year-old, who joined from Dundee, made 27 appearances for the Perth side and was part of the squad that made history with the cup double in 2021.

He has also served as the club's goalkeeping coach since Paul Mathers' exit last December.

"Everyone at St Johnstone wishes Elliott all the best in his future career and thanks him for his service," St Johnstone said.

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We asked you to cast your mind back and tell us the best and worst St Johnstone signings from over the years.

Here are some of your views:

Allan: The best player to play for St Johnstone hands down was Jody Morris. He is the best player that I’ve ever seen in a Saints shirt in the last 40 years. As for the worst, there have been too many to single out just one.

Brian: Henry Hall is the best signing ever, a top goalscorer and a great sport, he was the perfect foil to John Connolly.

Luke: Murray Davidson and Dave Mackay will go down in history as the two best signings and the best £50k the club's tight purse has ever spent. For some reason we have a knack for signing Irishmen who get homesick and leave after half a season, so Joe Gormley and John Mahon are up there with some of the worst but the worst is Adam Morgan.

Craig: I know Davidson and Mackay get touted as our best bit of business but I always look back on Chris Millar fondly. A great player and a really good fit at a club like Saints.

Chris Kane is looking to put his injury troubles behind after signing a new one-year deal with St Johnstone.

The striker, 28, returned from a 16-month lay-off for the final two games of last season - scoring in the 2-0 win over Livingston - and aims to play a key role under new boss Steven MacLean.

Academy graduate Kane has made over 200 appearances and scored 36 goals in a Saints career spanning 10 years.

“I’m delighted to sign the extension and stay at the club I have been at since I was 15," he told the St Johnstone website.

"I look forward to getting back for pre-season soon and proving my fitness."

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Ah, summertime. A heatwave has Scotland drenched in sunshine and today is the day that the transfer window officially swings open for business.

Let's be honest, though. For every superstar recruit who bangs in the goals and could nutmeg a mermaid in a phone box, there is often an almighty dud who would struggle to trap a bag of cement.

We want you to cast your mind back through St Johnstone's signings of years gone by and pick one player who you regard as the best, and one letdown who is your worst.

Simply click this link and tell us about them.

St Johnstone have added a second friendly to their pre-season schedule, with a trip to East End Park to face Championship newcomers Dunfermline.

Saints face the Pars on Tuesday, 4 July at 19:45 BST, before taking on East Fife a week later.

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St Johnstone will face League 2 East Fife in a pre-season friendly next month.

Steven MacLean's side visit Bayview on Tuesday, 11 July, for a 19:45 BST kick-off.

It is the first friendly announced by Saints this summer ahead of their season-opening Viaplay Cup tie at Stenhousemuir on 15 July.

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With the domestic campaign over, both Kenny Miller and Peter Grant took the time to pick their Premiership teams of the season on Sunday's BBC Sportsound.

The pundits agreed on six selections, with Celtic quartet Callum McGregor, Greg Taylor, Kyogo Furuhashi and Cameron Carter-Vickers, plus St Mirren captain Mark O'Hara and Motherwell striker Kevin van Veen, included on the two line-ups.

Former Celtic midfielder Grant picked a further four players from the treble winners, as Joe Hart, Carl Starfelt, Alistair Johnston and Jota made up eight of his 11 positions, with Aberdeen midfielder Leighton Clarkson taking the final spot.

Meanwhile, ex-Scotland striker Miller opted for Clarkson's team-mate Kelle Roos in goal and Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland in attack, with Rangers trio James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and Todd Cantwell filling the remaining three places.

• Listen to the reasons behind their picks on the Scottish Football Podcast

Zak Rudden returns to Dundee with "a clean slate" under new manager Tony Docherty after the 23-year-old striker's loan to St Johnstone. (The Courier), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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St Johnstone will kick off the new season away to Stenhousemuir in the Viaplay Cup on 15 July, with all group-stage fixtures and dates now confirmed.

The tournament offers over £2.3m in prize money - the highest in its history - with each club guaranteed at least £24,000 while the winners will earn £380,000.

In addition, a live TV game earns the clubs involved a facility fee payment of £17,000 (group stage) and £27,000 (second round, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final).

Image source, BBC Sport