St Johnstone are one of Scottish football’s established names, founded in 1884 and long settled at McDiarmid Park. Their scale remains modest by Premiership standards: a 26-man squad with an average age of 25 and a market value of around £3m, according to Transfermarkt.
Their 2025-26 campaign included the Premiership and the League Cup group stage, with the league season completed across all 38 rounds as Celtic finished champions. St Johnstone ended in sturdy form, taking five straight wins after a 1-1 draw with Queen’s Park, including 2-0 at Dunfermline Athletic and 4-0 at home to Airdrieonians.
The numbers pointed to a side with balance rather than bluster. At home they averaged 2.1 goals scored and only 0.6 conceded per match, while their away return of 1.7 scored and 0.8 conceded showed they carried a threat without becoming loose. Josh McPake led the scoring with 19 goals, with Jamie Gullan close behind on 17.
For Celtic supporters, St Johnstone remain a familiar domestic opponent: organised, competitive, and capable of making McDiarmid Park awkward when their attacking players are in rhythm.
