St Johnstone's Valakari seeks Celtic upset to aid relegation fight

St Johnstone's head coach, Simo Valakari, is urging his team to believe they can secure a vital victory against Celtic as they fight to avoid relegation in the Scottish Premiership. Currently, St Johnstone sits at the bottom of the league, five points adrift of safety with only seven games remaining. Valakari emphasized the importance of each match as they aim to gain points before the league splits, stating, "Crazy things happen in football." He acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Celtic, who are leading the league by a considerable margin, while also expressing confidence that his players can rise to the occasion. The match at McDiarmid Park is crucial for St Johnstone's survival hopes, and Valakari outlined the need for his team to capitalize on any opportunities that arise during the game. Additionally, Valakari remains focused on preparing for upcoming matches, including a Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic later this month.