Courier Talking Football: Dundee FC, Dundee United, St Johnstone and other east coast Scottish clubs

Simo Valakari's summer rebuild has begun at St Johnstone, with Greenock Morton's Jack Baird becoming the club's first signing. On this episode of the Spoony Chop - the final show before our close-season break - Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss Baird's arrival, whether he will be joined by Morton team-mate Morgan Boyes and Raith Rovers striker Jamie Gullan, Ross County joining Saints in the Championship and the long-time-coming departure of Benji Kimpioka.

The season is officially over and in this episode of the Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton pore over the last day loss to Dundee, the pitch invasion that followed and the merits - or otherwise - of the players staying and departing. Plus, Saints' history with double-barrelled players - debated. Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. 

St Johnstone's relegation from the Premiership is a done deal - and it has been a long time coming. On this week's Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson, Stuart Cosgrove and Sean Hamilton dig deep into what has gone wrong at McDiarmid Park, when it began and what was - or was not - done to arrest the decline. And should Saints fans want Dundee at risk of joining them in the Championship via the play-offs?

St Johnstone's season all comes down to Saturday's clash with Ross County. Defeat will see them relegated to the Championship, while a draw will provide a stay of execution. A victory would reduce the Staggies' lead over Saints to just three points, with six left to play for. On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss the hugely disappointing loss to Kilmarnock, Simo Valakari's position as manager and the requirement - as a bare minumum - for a purposeful performance against County. Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. Available exclusively on The Courier. Pay only for the sports you love with this special offer. Sign up today at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/?tpcc=spoony Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/newsletters/

St Johnstone's survival hopes are hanging by a thread after Motherwell exposed their defensive frailties at Fir Park. But the performances of a few players who haven't been regulars provided a ray of hope. On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove and Eric Nicolson assess the possibility of Saints winning back to back home games and unlikely heroes emerging. Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. Available exclusively on The Courier. Pay only for the sports you love with this special offer. Sign up today at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/?tpcc=spoony Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/newsletters/

St Johnstone's interest in the Scottish Cup is over after Celtic racked up five goals without reply in the semi-final. All that remains to focus on is the club's fight for safety in the Premiership. On this week's Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss Saints' Hampden heartache, VAR being dreadful (again), and Simo Valakari's options heading into the crucial final five games of the season. Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. Available exclusively on The Courier. Pay only for the sports you love with this special offer. Sign up today at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/?tpcc=spoony Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/newsletters/

St Johnstone are heading for Hampden to face Celtic in Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final. They are doing so having just beaten the Hoops in the league (followed by a loss to Dundee United). Can they do the unthinkable and make it two wins on the spin against Brendan Rodgers' side? Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss these issues, plus the post-split fixture list and Saints' mounting defensive fitness worries. Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. Available exclusively on The Courier. Pay only for the sports you love with this special offer. Sign up today at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/?tpcc=spoony Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/newsletters/

St Johnstone produced their worst performance since the January window closed and were well beaten by Hibs as a result. Where do Saints need to improve when Celtic visit McDiarmid Park on Saturday and is Simo Valakari getting his tactics and substitutions right? Join Eric Nicolson, Stuart Cosgrove and special guest, actor Colin McCredie, as the Spoony Chop tackles the big St Johnstone talking points. Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. Available exclusively on The Courier. Pay only for the sports you love with this special offer. Sign up today at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/?tpcc=spoony Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/newsletters/

The final international break of the season is coming to an end and St Johnstone need points from their three pre-split games to give themselves a solid chance of escaping relegation. On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss St Johnstone's chances of claiming a "statement win" against either Hibs, Celtic or Dundee United before the split, how Simo Valakari might utilise his strikers at Easter Road and whether Uche Ikpeazu can do what once seemed unthinkable and play a part in how the campaign concludes. Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. Available exclusively on The Courier. Pay only for the sports you love with this special offer. Sign up today at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/?tpcc=spoony Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/newsletters/

An unexpected Dundee victory over city rivals United saw the Dark Blues stretch their lead over St Johnstone to five points (plus five goals). The Perth side's Premiership safety hopes are still alive, but how far adrift is too far adrift? This week, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton ponder Saints' draw with Aberdeen, Zach Mitchell's emergence as a defensive 'Rolls-Royce' and whether any of the strikers on the books fancy making themselves a hero. Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. Available exclusively on The Courier. Pay only for the sports you love with this special offer. Sign up today at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/?tpcc=spoony

St Johnstone booked their place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals thanks to a Graham Carey wonder goal against Livingston. On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss where the Irishman's strike ranks amongst the all-time great Saints goals, a game of two halves at Livi, how the cup run could impact Premiership form and the club's decision to give three stands to Celtic at McDiarmid Park. Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. Available exclusively on The Courier. Pay only for the sports you love with this special offer. Sign up today at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/?tpcc=spoony

On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton assess a draw at Dens Park that keeps St Johnstone in touch with Dundee and look ahead to Monday's Scottish Cup quarter final with Livingston - and whether it's the right environment for a Benji Kimpioka comeback. Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. Available exclusively on The Courier. Pay only for the sports you love with this special offer. Sign up today at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/?tpcc=spoony

After losing to Hearts at McDiarmid Park in a game that, in previous campaigns, would likely have been drawn, Saints face two potentially season-defining games in the space of three days. First up, Ross County visit McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night, before Saints head along the road to Dundee for a clash at Dens Park that could have a huge impact on how the rest of the season pans out. Join Eric Nicolson, Stuart Cosgrove and Sean Hamilton as they discuss how Simo Valakari's side should approach the task in hand. Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. Available exclusively on The Courier. Pay only for the sports you love with this special offer. Sign up today at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/?tpcc=spoony

A Saints team peppered with January recruits was turned over by an aggressive Kilmarnock side. Now, with three crucial games to come in the space of a week from Saturday, there is precious little room for error. How will Simo Valakari respond to his side's Rugby Park display and what is the minimum Saints can accept from their trio of clashes, against Hearts, Ross County and Dundee? Join Eric Nicolson, Stuart Cosgrove and Sean Hamilton - fresh from a shoutout on the latest episode of the Football Cliches podcast - as the Spoony Chop delves deep into all things St Johnstone.   Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. Available exclusively on The Courier. Pay only for the sports you love with this special offer. Sign up today at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/?tpcc=spoony

St Johnstone booked their place in the Scottish Cup quarter finals with a 1-0 win over Hamilton Accies. Their reward is a trip to face Livingston. It took a late Adama Sidibeh goal to get the job done (despite television scepticism, he DEFINITELY meant it) but it was a game in which they enjoyed significant control. Saints' possession-based game seems to be leaving the pundits cold - so what is its value? Join Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton as they discuss this, debutant performances, plus a potentially significant weekend trip to Kilmarnock.   Subscribe to Trusted Local Journalism that Matters | The Courier

The winter transfer window has 'slammed' closed and Saints have welcomed eight new signings to the club. On this week's Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson, Stuart Cosgrove and Sean Hamilton rate the recruitment work done at McDiarmid Park, discuss a potentially huge win away to St Mirren and look ahead to the weekend's Scottish Cup clash with Hamilton Accies. Journalism that Matters | The Courier

Another week, another win over Motherwell, and St Johnstone are still standing in their battle against relegation. With owner and chairman Adam Webb in attendance, Saints' players, fans and manager enjoyed a moment of connection after their successful late fightback, achieved despite having only one centre-back on the pitch. Join Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton as they discuss a potentially huge triumph at McDiarmid Park, assess likely transfer activity and ponder Saints' chances against their 'kryptonite' weekend opponents St Mirren.

Join Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton for this week's Spoony Chop, which features - brace yourselves - discussion about a St Johnstone victory! One goal was enough for Saints to see off Motherwell in the Scottish Cup - and send the Well fans into meltdown. But can they replicate the combination of slickness and strength that did the job when the Steelmen return to McDiarmid on league duty? Subscribe to Trusted Local Journalism that Matters | The Courier  

This week's Spoony Chop sees ex-St Johnstone CEO, chairman and director Stan Harris saddle up to discuss his decades of service at McDiarmid Park, his near-lifelong friendship with Stuart Cosgrove and how a trip to see Scotland at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico resulted in a brush with the law in Texas. Subscribe to Trusted Local Journalism that Matters | The Courier

A self-inflicted 3-1 loss to Dundee capped off a miserable festive season for St Johnstone. With Simo Valakari's side now eight points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership, this week's Spoony Chop sees Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss a dismal few weeks on the park, a squad-weakening first week of the transfer window and what fans are entitled to expect from the club from now until it closes (plus Fran Franczak love-in).

St Johnstone fell to a predictable loss at Celtic Park, but with the January transfer window set to open ahead of the home double header with Hibs and Dundee, how different might Saints look the next time they take the field? On this week's Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss transfers, a big moment for Fran Franczak and what this window will tell us about Saints' new owners.

St Johnstone are bottom of the Premiership at Christmas after defeat to Hearts. On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton pick through the bones of a poor performance at Tynecastle, discuss the prospect of facing Dundee United on Boxing Day and assess the club's requirements from a crucial January transfer window.

St Johnstone suffered a season-worst sickener in defeat to St Mirren. In this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton rake over the still-burning coals of Saints' loss, taking in the good and the bad of their performance, some contentious referee decision-making and a pre-match radio chat that reeked of misconceptions.

With Sven Sprangler suspended for the weekend's clash with St Mirren, how will Saints boss Simo Valakari go about replacing him?   On this week's Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson, Stuart Cosgrove and Sean Hamilton discuss his options, a performance in Aberdeen that showed off a new-found doggedness and how Makenzie Kirk is outshining his strike colleagues.

On this week's Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss a performance of two halves against Rangers, whether Jack Sanders can be an attacking force in possession, Josh Rae's safe hands, Dimitar Mitov's injured hamstring and who should start up front against Aberdeen.

On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton chew on the weekend's heartening win over Kilmarnock, which featured yet another star turn from Sven Sprangler, Bozo Mikulic's first start in defence and a first headed goal of the season, from Mackenzie Kirk.   The guys also ponder St Johnstone's place in the geopolitics of the former Yugoslavia, Napoleon's likely view on Tommy Wright and pay tribute to Kenny Aird after the Willie Ormond-era great's death.

On this week's Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson, Stuart Cosgrove and Sean Hamilton tackle Saints' huge weekend clash with Killie.    What is the best attacking approach against Derek McInnes' bulky side? What would signify defensive progress after a fortnight on the training ground? And the old 'Old Firm tickets' chestnut emerges again, only this time under new ownership.

This week's Spoony Chop sees Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton welcome a special guest in ex-Saints star Ryan McGowan. Off the back of another defeat, this time to Motherwell, the guys discuss Simo Valakari's defence and whether the team will come good. Aussie internationalist McGowan also opens up on his shock departure from McDiarmid Park in the summer, gives quick-fire views on former team-mates and reveals why his two years as a Saintee were so precious to him.

On this week's edition of the Spoony Chop - the Courier's new, weekly St Johnstone podcast - things get 'philosophical'.   Host Eric Nicolson is joined by Stuart Cosgrove and Sean Hamilton to discuss frustration around a defeat to Hearts that ripped up the in-game script, a young goalkeeping duo's desperate need for support and whether Croatian centre-half Božo Mikulić's work permit will be sorted in time to face Motherwell.

'The Spoony Chop' is the Courier's new, weekly St Johnstone podcast - and what better way to kick-off than by getting stuck into the superb, come-from-behind win over Dundee.    In episode one, regular panellists Eric Nicolson, Stuart Cosgrove and Sean Hamilton discuss the new manager's rapid, transformative impact at McDiarmid Park, whether it can be maintained and who looks like playing a key role.

It's an international break so it's time for Dundee and Dundee United to take a breather. Not for Twa Teams, One Street though. The boys run the rule over the summer transfer business on both sides of Sandeman Street as well as the latest news at United and the Dee. In the studio joining host Tom Duthie today are Courier Sport writers George Cran, Sean Hamilton and Jim Spence. Get us on Youtube too! youtube.com/@TheCourierUK/videos

Dundee United are heading into the international break in fine fettle after a rousing 1 - 0 win away at Hearts. Three wins on the spin, three clean sheets in there and sitting pretty in third. Meanwhile, Dundee were disappointed not to get the better of St Mirren after some poor defending - can they sort that out? And is Scott Fraser coming in? Twa Teams, One Street are back for their Monday session, tuning in from home alongside host Tom Duthie are George Cran, Graeme Finnan and Jim Spence. Get us on Youtube too!   youtube.com/@TheCourierUK/videos

Transfer deadline day is almost upon us! Who is coming in for Dundee and Dundee United? And is there anyone going out? Luke McCowan? The Twa, Teams lads discuss it all in the studio with Tom Duthie hosting alongside Graeme Finnan and Courier Sport writers George Cran and Alan Temple. Get us on Youtube too! youtube.com/@TheCourierUK/videos

It's Thursday and that means a return to the shiny new studio. There is plenty to get through this week as we look ahead to a big weekend of Premiership action. Will Dundee United start Louis Moult? And is there more transfer business to come? We also get the lowdown on the opposition from Courier Sport's Eric Nicolson. Dundee are at Hibs and that means all eyes on Luke McCowan – will he start? And what about a new signing? Courier chief Sean Hamilton steps in for hosting duties this week and is joined by Alan Temple, George Cran and Graeme Finnan. Get us on Youtube too! youtube.com/@TheCourierUK/videos  

Mondays mean Twa Teams, One Street and we have a big Monday to come. Both our clubs picked up big wins in the League Cup to shoot into the quarter-finals. Dundee United beat St Mirren and the Dee smashed Airdrieonians. There's also the latest on the transfer front on both sides of the street, including the Luke McCowan saga. This week George Cran hosts with Courier Sport's Alan Temple, Graeme Finnan and Jim Spence tuning in. Get us on Youtube too! youtube.com/@TheCourierUK/videos

The old crew are back in the studio and there is fresh news to discuss on both sides of the street. The latest on Luke McCowan as Celtic join the race for his signature to rival Hibs and who is this Liverpool lad Dundee United are chasing? Our dedicated football writers George Cran and Alan Temple give the lowdown on all the Dundee and Dundee United news alongside host Tom Duthie and Graeme Finnan. Get us on Youtube too! www.youtube.com/@TheCourierUK/videos  

It's Monday and we're back with loads to discuss – swashbuckling Dundee break Hearts while United let their lead slip at Ross County. Dundee FC writer George Cran reacts to the 3-1 win over the Jambos – who stood out and what does it tell us about the weeks to come? Alan Temple does the same for United as the boys discuss whether it's been a good or bad start to the season for the Tangerines. Host Tom Duthie sorts out the rest alongside the returning Graeme Finnan in the latest Twa Teams, One Street. Get us on Youtube too! youtube.com/@TheCourierUK/videos

Which new Dundee United star has a ‘sizzle reel' and which one is ‘excellent at football'? United writer Alan Temple has the lowdown on new arrivals at Tannadice and Tony Watt's future at the club. Across the street, the stories are about a star heading out – what is the latest on Luke McCowan's future? In the sparkling new Twa Teams, One Street studio this week are host Tom Duthie and Courier head of sport Sean Hamilton alongside our dedicated football writers. Get us on Youtube too! youtube.com/@TheCourierUK/videos

Twa Teams, One Street now comes at you TWICE a week – and what better way to start off with than a rollercoaster derby. Dundee United took the lead twice but Dundee pegged them back twice. What does it mean for both sides going forward and are there new faces coming in? Jim Spence makes his Twa Teams debut alongside host Tom Duthie and writers George Cran and Alan Temple in our shiny new studio.

St Johnstone pulled a rabbit out of their hat to secure their Premiership status on the final day of the season. On this week's Courier Talking Football - the final episode of the season - Jim Spence, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss an impending Perth rebuild, Dundee's retained players list and United's first summer contract move.

St Johnstone have two games to save their Premiership skin. On this week's Courier Talking Football, Jim Spence, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss Saints' chances, whether Dundee are at risk of a pointless post-split run and the beginning of Dundee United's Premiership rebuild.

In this week's Courier Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence and Eric Nicolson assess the Perth side's worrying form curve, Dundee's chances of beating St Mirren and predict who will be staying and going at Tannadice.

In this week's Courier Talking Football, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson suggest Jim Goodwin is all-in with United but now needs backed, Dundee should overtake St Mirren and St Johnstone need to find some momentum.

In this week's Courier Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence and Eric Nicolson assess why the Dundee manager is perfectly suited to his Dens Park job, discuss the squad changes Jim Goodwin will need to make at Tannadice over the summer and the improvements needed for St Johnstone to stay in the Premiership.