St Johnstone have secured the signing of defender Enes Alic and seen their upcoming fixture against Celtic postponed. These developments come as the Scottish Championship side prepares for their next home match against Dundee United on October 17, with Stevie Mallan leading the scoring charts with two goals this season.
How did the Enes Alic transfer unfold?
Manager Simo Valakari expressed confidence that the deal for left-back Enes Alic would be completed, according to a report from the Courier. The transfer faced some opposition from Alic's former club, Zeljeznicar, but Valakari remained certain it would go through. This addition aims to bolster St Johnstone's defensive options as they navigate the Championship season.
The signing process concluded successfully this week, bringing the Bosnian defender to McDiarmid Park. Valakari's persistence in securing the player highlights his focus on building a competitive squad. Fans can view the updated player roster on the club's official squad page.
Why was the Celtic match postponed?
The William Hill Premiership clash between St Johnstone and Celtic, originally scheduled for August 22, was called off. This decision was made under SPFL rules that allow clubs involved in UEFA competition qualifying playoffs to postpone a third-round fixture. Celtic, who were preparing for a Champions League playoff second leg against LASK, exercised this option.
The rule is designed to assist Scottish clubs in European qualification by providing additional preparation time. A new date for the St Johnstone versus Celtic match has not yet been announced, but it is expected to be rescheduled for a midweek slot later in the campaign. This postponement directly impacted the fixture calendar, which supporters can track via the club's fixtures list.
What is the context of Celtic's European tie?
Celtic's European commitments were the direct cause of the postponement. They held a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg of their Champions League play-off against Austrian side LASK. The second leg was set for August 25 at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, with a place in the competition's league phase at stake.
The Irish News reported that the tie was broadcast on TNT Sports 5 and available via HBO Max. Martin O'Neill's side ultimately secured their progression, but the scheduling concession meant St Johnstone had an unexpected break in their league schedule. This allowed Valakari more time to integrate new signings like Alic into the team structure.
How does this affect St Johnstone's season planning?
The unexpected gap in fixtures provides St Johnstone with a valuable training period. Manager Simo Valakari can now work with his squad without the immediate pressure of a weekend match. This is particularly useful for a new signing like Enes Alic, who needs time to adapt to his new teammates and the Scottish game.
Looking ahead, the team's focus shifts to their next confirmed match against Dundee United on October 17. With Stevie Mallan as the current top scorer, the team will be aiming to build momentum in the Championship. The latest league standings show the competitive nature of the division, making every point vital. The additional preparation time could prove beneficial for their campaign objectives.
