St Johnstone defender Bozo Mikulic has declared himself fit and ready to start against Motherwell. The 28-year-old Croatian made his first start in almost nine months during last Friday's 4-0 defeat at Rangers, a significant step in his recovery from a serious ACL injury suffered in February 2025.
Mikulic's injury nightmare began when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during a match against Ross County. The initial prognosis was a lengthy rehabilitation, but his return to training was carefully managed by the club's medical staff. He returned briefly for two matches last January before a severe hamstring tear ended his 2024-25 campaign entirely, requiring another extended period of recovery and strength work.
He made a late substitute appearance in the 1-0 win at Aberdeen earlier this month, but the Rangers match represented his first full 90-minute outing. "I can say I’m healthy now from the pre-season until now and I hope it will continue like that," Mikulic said. He believes the setbacks have made him stronger both mentally and physically, and he now has full trust in his body to handle the demands of Premiership football.
His availability is a timely boost for a St Johnstone side sitting eighth in the Premiership with 12 points from ten games, having recorded three wins, three draws and four losses. The team's recent form has been mixed, with one win, two draws and one loss in their last four outings, a sequence you can review on our standings page. They have scored 11 goals but conceded 15 this season, leaving them with a negative goal difference. The club is also 15 points behind leaders Celtic in the title race.
The visit of Motherwell is scheduled for Wednesday, 28 October. Motherwell currently occupy 10th place, making this a key fixture in the battle for mid-table security. Manager Craig Levein has been cautious with Mikulic's reintegration but now considers him a full option for selection. Mikulic is confident he can contribute from the start. "I feel really ready," he stated, emphasising his physical preparedness for the challenge. St Johnstone will be looking to build on their last home result, a 1-1 draw with Dundee United where Josh Fowler scored their goal, and secure a positive result to climb the table. The defender's return offers a significant boost to a defensive unit that has struggled for consistency this season.
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