- St Johnstone’s fate is finally sealed after 2-1 defeat to Hearts and controversial late penalty for Ross County at Dens Park
- Manager Simo Valakari admits there are no excuses and that he expects to lead their fightback in Championship next season
- The Finn declares: ‘We are crying tonight and tomorrow but we are always looking forward and will get this beautiful club back to winning ways’
- Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport
St Johnstone’s 16-year stay in the Scottish top flight came to a dramatic end as Ronan Hale’s controversial stoppage-time penalty for Ross County at Dens Park sealed their relegation.
Trailing to Hearts at Tynecastle, the Perth side still had a chance of taking their battle for survival to the final day after news came through that Scott Tiffoney had put Dundee in front against County after 55 minutes.
However, after Saints had already gone down 2-1 in Gorgie, Hale’s late spot-kick secured a 1-1 draw for Don Cowie’s side, leaving them four points ahead of the McDiarmid Park club with one game to go.
Dundee looked to have sealed their survival and were furious at the award of the penalty for a handball against Antonio Portales.
Now they are fighting with County to avoid the Premiership play-off, with the Highlanders needing to beat Motherwell at home on Sunday and hope the Dark Blues lose away to doomed St Johnstone.
Heartbroken Saints boss Valakari said his team had no excuses and that he expects to lead their fightback in the Championship next season.
Simo Valakari can’t hide his emotions as St Johnstone tumble out of the Premiership
It’s agony for St Johnstone’s Barry Douglas as St Johnstone’s relegation is confirmed
Fran Franczak is in tears as he learns the Perth side are doomed to life in the Championship
‘It was not good enough for a long time because the table doesn’t lie. It really, really hurts,’ he told BBC Scotland.
‘We are crying tonight and tomorrow but always looking forward. This season is history. We need to change things and get this beautiful club back to winning ways.
‘It’s hard to play in relegation battles but it’s even harder to play for promotion. That’s what our aim is and that’s what we start doing the day after tomorrow.
‘It’s a big, big job and will require a lot of effort every day.
‘We can’t have off days. We already started preparing, but we wanted to fight to stay in the Premiership. No excuses, we were not good enough.
‘Numerous things need to change – some big, some small. It’s more how you sustain this level and effort every match. Our weaknesses have been too big.’
Asked if he expected to stay in charge of St Johnstone next season, the Finn said: ‘Things need to change and we are starting this change. We can’t do this anymore, three or four years flirting with relegation. It needs to go back to being successful and more stable.
‘I don’t need to make any decisions. I want to stay. I want to rebuild this club and be successful with this club.’
