St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari believes St Mirren has quietly made a strong start to the season, often flying “under the radar.”

Craig McLeish’s team kicked off their Premiership campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over last year’s unexpected contenders, Falkirk.

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In addition to this win, St Mirren triumphed in three out of four League Cup group matches, netting 12 goals and securing a spot in the next round as they aim to defend their title.

Valakari, whose St Johnstone team swiftly returned to the Premiership after being relegated to the Championship last season, expressed his admiration for St Mirren’s early performances.

“I’ve been very impressed,” he stated.

“From my perspective, they had a challenging last season, just managing to survive through the play-offs. They have been able to refine their game. I can see the tactics they are pursuing.

“They have acquired talented players, yet they maintain the core toughness that St Mirren is known for—showing a strong desire to assert themselves.

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“They possess significant Premiership experience, but the main point is that no one anticipated much from them, which is why they are somewhat under the radar.”

“However, I have been following their progress throughout the pre-season, and there is a clear vision of what they aim to achieve. A good example was their first league match.

“Visiting Falkirk is never straightforward, given the conditions, the stadium, and the general difficulty of away games in this league.

“They went there and played a very solid match, effectively managing the ball at crucial moments and demonstrating impressive vertical play with dangerous runs behind the defense.

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“That is what I expected from them, and now they see this opportunity to build momentum after winning their first match at home, which presents a tough but exciting challenge for us.”

St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari thinks St Mirren have gone “under the radar” this season.

Craig McLeish’s side won their Premiership opener with a 2-0 victory over last season’s surprise package Falkirk.

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They also won three of their four League Cup group stage games, scoring 12 goals in the process and securing a place in the next round as they look to defend their title.

Valakari, whose St Johnstone side returned straight back to the Premiership having been relegated to the Championship in the previous campaign, has been impressed with what he’s seen so far.

“I’ve been very impressed,” he said.

“How I see the situation, they had a very difficult last season. They survived through the play-offs. They have been able to work on their game. I can see what they try to do.

“They brought in good footballers but they still have this, how would you call it, the old DNA of St Mirren, that they are very, very tough. They really want to bully you.

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“They have Premiership experience there, but the biggest thing is, no one expected anything from them and that’s why they’re going a little bit under the radar.

“But I have been watching them all the time. I’ve seen what they’re doing in the pre-season games, there’s a clear identity what they want to do and good example was the first [league] game.

“They went to Falkirk, not an easy place to go, the surface, the stadium, no away matches in this league are easy.

“They went there and they played a very solid game. They were able to, in the right moments, hold the ball, in the right moments they were very vertical with dangerous running behind.

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“That’s what I expected from them and they see this opportunity now as, ‘we won the first match, now we play home’ so they are building up the momentum there and that’s why I said it’s a tough challenge for us, but it’s an exciting challenge for us.”