Simo Valakari takes the positives after St Johnstone draw with Aberdeen

Simo Valakari believes St Johnstone’s 0-0 draw with Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park on Saturday was a “step forward” for his relegation-battling side.

The Perth outfit went into the game boosted by their 1-0 Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Livingston on Monday night which set up a last-four clash with Celtic at Hampden Park next month.

However, in a hard fought William Hill Premiership encounter which threw up few clear-cut chances – the home side had the best opportunity in the 10th minute when Dons keeper Dimitar Mitov made a fine save from striker Makenzie Kirk – both sides had to settle for a point which kept Saints bottom of the table.

St Johnstone, two points behind second-bottom Dundee, are four games unbeaten in all competitions going into the international break and boss Valakari spoke about the positives of the week.

He told the club’s X account: “It is a point, it’s a step forward, what I mean by a step forward is we have lost these games earlier (in the season).

“Now, we looked almost rock solid, rock solid, a team who defends well. And, yes, it was a very tight game, not much between the teams.

“We had a fantastic chance first half to put it away, and I think that was the best chance of the game.

“But we could not create enough moments to win the match, but on the other hand, we were not even close to losing the match.

“So very, very pleased and I will say that overall this week, it was a good week and I think everyone saw the effort that our boys put in on Monday night, the effort they put in on Saturday. We were really in their faces and I really liked that.

“It’s one point gained and now we rest a little bit and then we train and then we are ready for the next match.”

With fourth-placed Aberdeen remaining one point behind Hibernian, who drew 1-1 with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, boss Jimmy Thelin anticipates the battle for third to go on for the rest of the season.

He told Aberdeen’s official YouTube channel: “That’s what I said before the game, that it’s going to be like a cup final every game now because it is so tight in the table.

“We know the next game against Motherwell is so important for us to get the three points.

“It’s going to be a tight race until the end of the season to get to the third position, but still it is totally open and we have to do a little bit more.”