St Johnstone appoint ‘remarkable’ new manager but there’s a catch ahead of Rangers clash

St Johnstone have appointed a new manager in time for the clash with Rangers – but there’s a catch.

The Perthshire club have announced the appointment of Finnish manager Simo Valaraki following the sacking of Craig Levein earlier in the season.

The Riga FC coach and ex-Motherwell star is tasked with stopping the rot at McDiarmid Park and is an appointment which echoes Aberdeen’s successful selection of Swedish coach Jimmy Thelin.

Rangers are set to face St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox this weekend and the Saints have also confirmed if Valaraki will be in the dugout in time for the game.

St Johnstone appoint Simo Valaraki

In an official statement on the St Johnstone website, the McDiarmid Park club have confirmed the appointment of Simo Valaraki.

Having spent the bulk of his coaching career in Finland and Latvia, Valaraki joins the Saints having lifted three Finnish super cups, twice with Kuopion Palloseura and once with SJK Seinäjoki.

Valaraki also won the Finnish Veikkausliiga with SJK Seinäjoki in 2015, whilst the 51-year-old has finished runner up in the competition three times.

A midfielder in his playing days, Simo Valaraki won 32 caps for the Finnish international team and played for multiple clubs in Finland, for Motherwell in Scotland, for Derby County south of the border and even in the US with FC Dallas.

Signing a contract until 2025, St Johnstone owner Adam Webb has waxed lyrical about Valaraki upon his appointment, claiming the Finn topped the list of potential candidates.

“Simo rose to the top after an extensive hiring process and interviews with several great candidates,” Webb told the official St Johnstone website.

“He has a remarkable vision for the future of St Johnstone. Simo’s experience, enthusiasm and creativity will serve us well in the years ahead.”