The Spoony Chop: A St Johnstone FC Podcast

St Johnstone performed admirably in defeat to Celtic. But what did the performance tell us about Simo Valakari's side. And who impressed in particular? On this week's 'Spoony Chop', Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton unpack the loss to the Hoops and look ahead to the weekend's meeting with Falkirk.

St Johnstone enjoyed a four-point week thanks to a draw with Dundee and a win over Hibs. What did those two performances tell us about Saints' Premiership credentials? And what might Simo Valakari's approach be to the visit of Celtic to McDiarmid Park? Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton ponder a pleasing week in the latest 'Spoony Chop', the importance of centre-backs to Saints' system and the Perth side's youth development output.

St Johnstone gave a good account of themselves in defeat to Hearts, turning in a second half performance that has drawn admiration. But as in previous Premiership matches, a Saints mistake resulted in a goal for the opposition. On this week's 'Spoony Chop', Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss the defeat at Tynecastle, Wednesday's trip to face Dundee and what's still needed before the transfer window shuts.

After a three-week lay-off, St Johnstone are back in action this coming weekend against Hearts. After a slow start with the Jambos, Josh McPake is emerging as a real threat in Gorgie. So how should Saints go about stopping him - and his team-mates - at Tynecastle? On the latest 'Spoony Chop', Stuart Cosgrove, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson discuss what lies in wait in the capital, plus the signings of Enes Alic and Danny Schmidt.

Saints may be in the middle of a break from competitive action, but work to bolster Simo Valakari's squad has not stopped. The latest name to be linked with the club is German striker, Danny Schmidt. He - along with Bosnian full-back, Enes Alic - is expected to sign up before Saints' next Premiership match, away to Hearts on August 29. Schmidt's attributes were up for discussion on the latest Spoony Chop, with Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton.

St Johnstone returned to the Premiership with a bang thanks to a dramatic 4-3 win over Kilmarnock. On this episode of the Spoony Chop, Sean Hamilton and Stuart Cosgrove assess the performance, the goals, the thrills, chills and spills of an entertaining opening weekend victory - and what it taught us about Saints' developing side.

It's the week building up to St Johnstone's Premiership return but last season's momentum has been lost following a shock League Cup group exit. Eric Nicolson and Stuart Cosgrove assess the damage done and whether the recruitment picture has changed.

St Johnstone have claimed two wins from their first two competitive games, thanks to impressive Premier Sports Cup showings against Linlithgow Rose and Greenock Morton. What did those performances tell us about Simo Valakari's squad? Who is shining and who needs to do more? And what does the re-signing of Bozo Mikulic mean for Saints' defence?

Saints are set to kick off their competitive campaign after an unbeaten pre-season. So what have we learned from the friendly victories over Forfar, Montrose and Cove Rangers? And why are those playing at full-back looking so good? On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart, Eric and Sean discuss this, what's still needed in the squad and the impending step up in levels in the Premier Sports Cup.

Competitive football is about to return for St Johnstone - and the Spoony Chop is back, just in time. On the first episode of the new series, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton talk about Saints' summer so far, including new signings, friendly performances and what's still needed, along with a look back at the season ticket row that kicked off the close season.