Valakari on Gray departure, being linked with Hibs & Falkirk 'focus'

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has been speaking to the media before Saturday’s Scottish Premiership visit of Falkirk.

• On Hibs head coach David Gray becoming the first Premiership managerial casualty of the season, Valakari says: “He is my colleague and of course I feel for my colleague”, adding it shows “the ruthlessness of this business”.

• When asked about being among the early names linked with the Easter Road job, the Saints boss says when there is a vacancy somewhere, “all the coaches will be thrown in”, and his “full focus” is on Saturday’s game.

• Valakari adds: “My players are doing the good job, my club is doing the good job and that is the only reason as a coach you will be linked.”

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• With his team seventh in the table, with seven points from six games, the Perth manager is not “surprised where we are” because he has “seen these players now for one year, I am very happy with the players we have brought in”.

• Valakari believes there is a “lot of room for improvement as well”.

• On Falkirk, the Finn is “very, very impressed with how they play football”, saying John McGlynn’s side really showed what they can do in their midweek win over Hearts.

• Valakari insists Saints are just taking it one game at a time and the midweek results show what can happen when you are off it.

• Team news – the squad is “all good”.

On Hibs head coach David Gray becoming the first Premiership managerial casualty of the season, Valakari says: “He is my colleague and of course I feel for my colleague”, adding it shows “the ruthlessness of this business”.

When asked about being among the early names linked with the Easter Road job, the Saints boss says when there is a vacancy somewhere, “all the coaches will be thrown in”, and his “full focus” is on Saturday’s game.

Valakari adds: “My players are doing the good job, my club is doing the good job and that is the only reason as a coach you will be linked.”

With his team seventh in the table, with seven points from six games, the Perth manager is not “surprised where we are” because he has “seen these players now for one year, I am very happy with the players we have brought in”.

Valakari believes there is a “lot of room for improvement as well”.

On Falkirk, the Finn is “very, very impressed with how they play football”, saying John McGlynn’s side really showed what they can do in their midweek win over Hearts.

Valakari insists Saints are just taking it one game at a time and the midweek results show what can happen when you are off it.

Team news – the squad is “all good”.