Simo Valakari admits job will be ‘on the line’ if St Johnstone go down

Simo Valakari stressed his desire to remain in charge of St Johnstone regardless of whether they avoid relegation or not, but he conceded his job is at risk if their 16-year stay in the top flight ends this month.

The Finn was appointed at the start of October after a poor start under Craig Levein but his side are six points adrift at the foot of the William Hill Premiership with just three games to play.

Asked if he expected to remain in charge next season, Valakari – who has won 10 out of 32 games in all competitions – said: “You need to ask the owners. I want to be here.”

Valakari said he is in regular contact with owner Adam Webb but he conceded everyone’s job at Saints is “on the line” if they go down.

“Of course, we know how football works and there is no hiding from it,” he said. “Everyone is in the same boat. No one is safe.”

Valakari was heavily linked with the vacancy at HJK Helsinki last weekend, but he dismissed the possibility of returning to his homeland.

“No, that’s history,” he said. “All the time I said, from the first day when I came here, I want to be in this football club.

“Now it has been very, very difficult. I’m most disappointed that I have not been able to get the results that I wanted. I wanted to come here, turn this club around, make it a stronger club, and that’s why we work so relentlessly every day. I’m not even thinking about anything else, only tomorrow’s match.”

Saturday’s match pits Saints at home to a Ross County side directly above them and gives them a chance to move within three points of the Staggies with a superior goal difference.

Valakari believes the “crazy” nature of football means his embattled side still have a chance of pulling off a “miracle” escape.

“I think we have felt the pressure a long time and actually it doesn’t matter if we feel it or not, we just need to perform to get something out of the match,” he said.

“After the split, this is the first match we play against our direct opponent. Always we have been thinking, ‘OK, if we take care of this, maybe they will lose there’.

“Now, it’s only two teams who go face to face, so other results, they don’t matter. It’s only the result of this match.

“I would rather be in Ross County’s position. But they are under pressure, we are under pressure. Now it’s on the day who can manage better this pressure situation.”