St Johnstone League Cup

This will be a tough test for our new look squad against relegated St Johnstone who will be looking to bounce back to the Premiership after finishing bottom of the table last season and will fancy their chances of progressing out of the group stages in this League Cup encounter at the Caledonian Stadium. They had to battle hard to overcome East Kilbride in their opening Group F tie eventually sealing a 1-3 win over the new League2 side. Our opening fixture was in midweek where we edged out Elgin City with a hard fought but ultimately deserved 2-0 win over the Borough Briggs side. Early days yet with most teams still building up to the bigger challenges ahead with the League campaign getting underway in early August and teams looking to hit the ground running. Especially us as we start League1 at minus 5 points. Meh!

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Match/Ticket/Info

Official Preview

🚍Bus & Bar94 Info below 

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The League Cup has not been a happy place for the Caley Jags in recent seasons but we got off to a winning start over Elgin City in midweek with Billy Mckay and Luis Longstaff the difference between the sides. Had Elgin not smacked the junction of post and bar it might have been different, but them's the breaks. Scott Kellacher was happy enough with the win and a clean sheet and more minutes in the legs.

No listen! Really pleased with the first half. Looking forward to a hard game this weekend against St Johnstone, it will be a difficult test.

Supporters Trust: St Johnstone: 1500 on Saturday 19 July: 🚍 & ⚽  & 🚍

• Bar 94 will open at 1200, with last orders at 1430 (the bar must be fully vacated by 1445).

• The bar reopens at full time.

• Buses will leave the Bus Station for the Stadium at 1245 and 1415.

• Buses return from the Stadium to the Bus Station 10 minutes after the full time whistle and at 1800.

• The bus fare is £2.70 single (contactless payments or cash accepted), and Over 60 / Disabled and Under 22 Concession passes are valid, giving free travel on the service to passholders.

Here's our team that we had out in our first competitive game of the season after an indifferent pre-season. This will be fairly close to our strongest line-up available at present with players still to get up to speed and adjusting to pastures new. Ross Munro appears to be our number 1 keeper and seems decent. the back four of Millen, Devine, Savage and Strachan have those positions ring fenced. We have an abundance of midfielders and that is where selections will be easily rotated on a horses for courses basis. Allan, MacLeod, Chalmers and Wotherspoon are all accomplished players with new signings Alfie Stewart, Jordan Alonge and Liam Sole able and willing to step in seamlessly. Robbie Thompson is also still here and will be pushing for a start. Calum MacLeod looks likely to be the big breakthrough player this season. The experience and guile of David Wotherspoon as an attacking midfielder will be invaluable in assisting Billy Mckay and Luis Longstaff up front. Kell's has made no secret of the fact that he want Alfie Bavidge back here as well. What an asset that would be as goal scorers are in short supply at the Caledonian Stadium just now. In saying that, Mckay and Longstaff got the first half goals against Elgin that eased us to the three points.

🛍️ Club Shop open from 10am until KO

🍺 Bar 94 open from 12pm

🎟️ Tickets available from eticketing.co.uk/ictfc

This was the Super J's side that came from behind to run out 1-3 winners over East Kilbride in their opening League Cup fixture. A superb John Robertson free kick had given EK an early 7th minute lead which the new League2 side held until Jamie Gullan replied with a great free kick of his own seven minutes after the break. Adama Sidibeh added a second on the hour following a quick break forward with Mackenzie Kirk completing the scoring ten minutes before the end, Saints had to work hard for the three points but their persistence paid off in the end against stubborn opponents who look like they will be a great asset to League2. Simo Valakari was delighted with the win and acknowledged how difficult it was at this venue as he praised his opponents, at the same time as accepting that St Johnstone are nowhere near where he wants them to be. I'll take that as a word of warning...

St Johnstone have an extensive list of players in & out (BBC Sport)

In: Louis Lloyd, forward (Caernarfon Town); Sam Stanton, midfielder (Raith Rovers); Jamie Gullan, forward (Raith Rovers); Morgan Boyes, defender (Morton); Jack Baird, defender (Morton); Cheick Diabate, defender (Exeter City); Reghan Tumilty, defender (Hamilton Accies); Matty Foulds, defender (Harrogate Town). Stephen Mallan has since joined on a 1 year deal and former Caley Jag Reece McAlear has also signed on at Perth on a 2 year deal.

Loan in: Toby Steward, goalkeeper (Portsmouth).

Out: Andre Raymond, defender; Josh Rae, GK (Raith Rovers, loan to permanent); Drey Wright, midfielder (Dundee); Graham Carey, midfielder (Livingston); Stevie May, forward (Livingston, loan to permanent); Callan Hamill, defender (Arsenal); Matthew Smith, midfielder (Newport County); Alex Ferguson, midfielder (Kelty Hearts); Liam Parker, defender (Cove Rangers, loan to permanent); Benjamin Kimpioka, forward; Barry Douglas, defender; Nicky Clark, forward (Ross County); Cammy MacPherson, midfielder; Max Kucheriavyi, midfielder; Adam McMillan, forward; Arran Cocks, forward; Bayley Klimionek, defender; Ben McCrystal, midfielder; Dominic Shiels, defender; Kyle Thomson, goalkeeper.

Loan ended: Andy Fisher, GK (Swansea City); Sam Curtis, defender (Sheffield United); Zach Mitchell, defender (Charlton Athletic); Elliot Watt, midfielder (Burton Albion); Stephen Duke-McKenna, midfielder (Harrogate Town).

New Dates for the Diary

League Cup (4 matches)

1. 15.07.2025@19:45 2-0 Elgin City (H) ✔️

2. 19.07.2025@15:00 - St. Johnstone (H)

3. 22.07.2025@19:45 - East Kilbride (A)

4. 26.07.2025@15:00 - Raith Rovers (A)

Challenge Cup (6 matches)

1. 12.08.2025@19:45 - Elgin City (A)

2. 26.08.2025@19:45 - Aberdeen B (H)

3. 06.09.2025@15:00 - Stirling Albion (H)

4. 23.09.2025@19:45 - Dundee B (H)

5. 11.10.2025@15:00 - Forfar Athletic (A)

6. 06.11.2025@19:45 - Dundee Utd B (H)

North Cup (1)

• 06.08.2025@19:30 - Lossiemouth (A)

Nice write up Mannie!

Just wondering.. i was just down at the stadium getting tickets for tomorrow and saw a black player in ICT strip talking to Remi, Would he be 1 of the trialists from last week or someone new? I presume we had let go the guys we thought not suitable?

Anyway, looking forwrd to the game, But we relly need a striker.

8 hours ago, caley100 said:

Nice write up Mannie!

Just wondering.. i was just down at the stadium getting tickets for tomorrow and saw a black player in ICT strip talking to Remi, Would he be 1 of the trialists from last week or someone new? I presume we had let go the guys we thought not suitable?

Anyway, looking forwrd to the game, But we relly need a striker.

Possibly Jordan Alonge?

Nope. short hair, lot more muscle!

Just a thought.. might have been Liam Sole! But jeez he's some unit @

There's him on CaleyJags.com

Unit!

Difficult watch to be honest. Unable to hold onto the ball long enough to create anything of note apart from an early effort when we were about a yard offside. The keeper saved anyway. St J have been wasteful with their superior possession.

Still, level at the break with Munro having to make one superb save so far.

Lot of misplaced passes out of defence creating a lack of entertainment for the hosts.

Stewart replacing Millen at RB.

Otherwise as you would expect. Sole and Alonge on the bench.

Cheers. From the BBC possession stats - 63% to 37% - I thought we must be doing well to keep it at 0-0, but it doesn't sound so good.

Hope we improve after the break - and remember to keep ultra-sharp for the first few minutes of the half.

St Johnstone were poor and will need to up their game if they want to challenge for the championship. We were sloppy today and got away with things defensively. Billy missed the best chance of the game. Callum Macleod struggled at RB but he’s never a RB. Sole looks excellent and surely he starts on Tuesday. We had a good 10 minute period in the second half but I fear for us against a ruthless EK team

Much livelier second half, especially when Sole and Alonge came on. Sole has been the most exciting player I have seen up here for a loooong time. He has plenty tricks in his bag and almost scored a sensational goal after beating abput nine players before his strike was deflected just wide. Strength was what got Perth their goal, nothing else.

Excited for the season ahead with Sole ready to rip up League1. Alonge looks quality as well.

Keeper did well to Stop Alfie Stewarts free kick IMO.

Must be a blow to lose after holding out for almost all of the game.

One for Kell & co to spin to encourage the players - if they can do that against St J then they should have nothing to fear in League 1.

Not much between the teams. I think we played some decent stuff, unlike under our previous manager it looks like there's a point to what we're doing. Shocking goal to give away, Danny will be really disappointed with that defending, fell for Ikpeazu's only trick.

As many have commented we are desperate for something more upfront. We need to address that before the league season starts if this season is to be as successful as we hope.

Calum Macleod performed admirably out of position but it will be good to get him back where he belongs. He could be key this season.

So near - yet so far, for me. I enjoyed the match if not the result. Don’t want to be too critical of the result today as I expected STJ to come out on top as they are a couple of levels above us (just relegated but still Premiership structure and capable players), whilst we are still getting our team settled and short of a striker.

So-near, in that sheer hard graft, good goal keeping, luck, poor finishing on STJ part and time wasting got us almost a well earned draw and into penalties.

So-far, in that we were second to most balls, poor passing, caught ball watching and out-of-position for half the team, weak on both back positions, (Macleod simply not a RB). Goal kicks need work.

I took heart in the attitude of the team however and the result should be a lesson on what we have to do (mostly on the training field) to correct the errors and step up the speed and accuracy needed at the higher game level. Liam looked a threat when he came on and something we can build on I’m convinced. Good to see Billy demanding more from the team. This attitude will serve us well if we take heed and work on improvement.

Tough test it seems coming IMO against East Kilbride. Unknown entity but their results so far show they they mean business.

Onwards!

bc

Edited July 19, 2025Jul 19 by big cherly

Don't understand why Mckay keeps getting a free pass. He is in effect an empty shirt and the early miss should have been put away. Offered nothing after this and we saw how much things improved after he left the pitch.

Otherwise thought there were a lot of positives and some good performances and interchanges.

A bit harsh on Billy. I'm sure he wouldn't be playing if we had an alternative, which we don't.

Personally, I'd start the two guys who came on against East Kilbride next week with Billy and Weatherspoon as subs. Weatherspoon was equally disappointing today.

As for the game, we were good in parts and probably deserved a draw. Still tend to overplay too much around the box though, plaes just shoot if the opportunity presents its self. Today was also a good workout in terms of fitness.

In general, I think we played pretty well today. Judging by the numbers of supporters who were standing in the main stand to applaud the team off the pitch at the end of the game, I would say most would agree with me.

Both Sole and Alonge showed promise when they came on, but both tend to overplay it and miss opportunities for a shot or a more effective pass. Hopefully that will come when they feel more confident as integral parts of the team. Munro looks like a solid keeper for the season. It will interesting to see more of Corner, as what we did see when he came on as a very late sub was a very effective long throw-in which could be a really effective weapon in the coming season. For me, the standout players were Paul Allan and Alfie Stewart. There was a terrific work rate from both, they both read the game well, won good balls and always looked to more the ball forward quickly.

The next two games will be tricky and will tell us a bit more about the strengths and weaknesses of the squad, but from what I've seen in the games this week, I think we should look forward to the coming league season with genuine optimism.

You can’t complain too much losing 1-0 to a team of their calibre. That’s a really poor goal to lose though, Danny has got to be annoyed with himself after that.

East Kilbride will be a real test on Tuesday night and they will absolutely fancy themselves to take the 3 points. They have big aspirations to step up the leagues in the coming years.

They made the Challenge Cup semi finals last year when still in the Lowland League, beating Ayr, Airdrie and Cove along the way, so we must be ready for a tough match.

Thought we did well against superior opposition and I'd be more worried if I were a St Johnstone fan.

The team are stil geling and it's obvious not everything from the training ground has fully translated into games quite yet, but there's positive signs there and seeing improvements from pre season games.

We definitely looked out of sorts for a lot of the game. Second to lots of balls and maybe nervous? But by **** do we need a striker and its been obvious for so long!

Wotherspoon was poor today as well as longstaff, combined with Macleod struggling at RB it was a difficult day.

Game changed a bit with Alonge and Sole coming on with some excellentmoves however there was no one up front to take advantage.

Couple of tricky games coming up but hopefully we can sign a couple of players to fit the big gaps, Your aims to win promotion depend on it Mr Savage!

I missed today’s game so it’s good to hear the feedback. On the face of it, losing 1-0 to a higher league team is no disgrace and I’m more worried by what happens on Tuesday in East Kilbride as they seem to be on fire.

I hear we had cheerleaders today, which I didn’t expect. What on earth did that consist of, did it add to the matchday experience and should it be repeated?

Seems an unnecessary cost to me.

In the lead up to conceding the goal, the midfield and forwards were far too lax in pressing and St J basically waltzed straight to the box. We looked disinterested at the end without the ball, hopefully that improves for the next game. Billy’s miss was criminal, looked like a lack of match sharpness to be fair.

16 hours ago, Robert said:

I missed today’s game so it’s good to hear the feedback. On the face of it, losing 1-0 to a higher league team is no disgrace and I’m more worried by what happens on Tuesday in East Kilbride as they seem to be on fire.

I hear we had cheerleaders today, which I didn’t expect. What on earth did that consist of, did it add to the matchday experience and should it be repeated?

Seems an unnecessary cost to me.

Personally dont think this was correct setting for very young teenage girls to perform what was a gyrating routine? Not really cheerleading in the traditional sense.

Given its the womans euros Id have thought it might have been better to showcase our girls teams instead. Much better role models imho

Just dont think cheerleading appropriate in 2025

Edited July 20, 2025Jul 20 by old caley girl

5 hours ago, Northern_jaggie said:

In the lead up to conceding the goal, the midfield and forwards were far too lax in pressing and St J basically waltzed straight to the box. We looked disinterested at the end without the ball, hopefully that improves for the next game. Billy’s miss was criminal, looked like a lack of match sharpness to be fair.

I think it's a bit unfair to say we looked disinterested, I think it was a question of being exhausted and the fact that we were chasing the game. Paul Allan and Alfie Stewart had put in a terrific shift all game. Arguably they could have been subbed after 75 minutes or so, but both were playing so well. I imagine that Alonge and Sole had been instructed to stay high up the park.