Scottish football has its first major title winner of season as St Johnstone show how it's done
Valakari leads Saints back to top flight at first time of asking
Mission accomplished for St Johnstone. At the first time of asking, the Saints have marched back into the Premiership after a 2-0 win at Dunfermline Athletic clinched the Championship title.
St Johnstone hit top spot on the opening day of the season and never looked back. They kept faith with manager Simo Valakari despite relegation from the top flight less than a year ago and have seen off some decent opponents, most notably Partick Thistle and Arbroath.
They, as well as the Pars, could well join them in the Premiership next season but they will need to do it via the play-offs. St Johnstone have shown attacking flair to blow teams away this season but have also displayed their grittier side when the going has got tougher. With two rounds of fixtures to go, they are unassailably seven points ahead of the Jags.
Backed by 2654 travelling fans from Perth, St Johnstone had to show patience against a Dunfermline side that three days earlier had reached the final of the Scottish Cup at Hampden. After a goalless first half, a deflected strike from Reece McAlear on 56 minutes broke the deadlock and then Ruari Paton glanced home a header on 72 minutes to start the celebrations.
The victory was merited. St Johnstone carried more attacking threat, in particular from winger Josh McPake, who will join Hearts at the end of the season when his contract expires. He can take satisfaction from helping his current employers join his new ones in the Premiership.
Midfielders Sam Stanton, Jason Holt and McAlear offered a nice plenty of creativity and combatitiveness, which is exactly what you need in this division. It can be a slog. Just ask Ross County, who came down with St Johnstone from the top flight at the end of last season and are bottom of the Championship, staring a second successive relegation in the face.
Valakari can now plan recruitment for next season. Some of this team are out of contract or on loan. A potential rebuild is on the cards.
Dunfermline’s cup run takes it toll
Saints were helped on a cold spring night at East End Park by Dunfermline's exertions over the weekend. While the visitors were idle, preparing for this assignment, the Pars were reaching the Scottish Cup final against Falkirk after extra time and then penalties.
Their manager Neil Lennon changed up his team but the players still looked leggy. Understandably so. Matches have come thick and fast for Dunfermline recently, the price of success.
Dunfermline return to Mount Florida at the weekend, albeit in less salubrious surroundings. A win against Queen's Park at the City Stadium will secure their place in the play-offs, and more fixture congestion. They looked a team in need of a rest.
They battled away in the first half but St Johnstone had all the chances. McPake rattled the underside of the bar and home defender Nurudeen Abdulai had to make two big clearances close to his goalline. There was a flashpoint when McPake jabbed his finger in the face of Abdulai but his actions went unpunished.
Saints seized the initiative after the break and once McAleer's effort was deviated past Dunfermline keeper Aston Oxborough, the game opened up. Paton's neat header ended hopes of a home fightback.
St Johnstone will receive the trophy on Friday night when Raith Rovers visit McDiarmid Park. There will be a party and then some, before attentions turn to life back with the big boys.
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