
Holt taking 'positive signs' into survival battle
Jason Holt hopes St Johnstone's Scottish Cup semi-final against at Hampden can provide a boost to the club's scramble for top-flight survival.Simo Valakari's side beat Livingston 1-0 to reach the national stadium, and Holt says they showed different elements to their game."It was a really good result which takes us into the semis, most importantly we showed a couple of different sides to our game," he said."First half was backs to the wall a bit and we were under a lot of pressure. We got in at half-time and reset a bit and improved in the second half."That gives us positive signs that, in the league games, if at any time we are under pressure, we can deal with it and ride it out and know we can come out the other side."We're really happy with it, it is massive. It gives us another wee lift going into the weekend, it's back to the league which is the most important thing and what we have set our sights on."Saints are unbeaten in their past three outings in all competitions and have narrowed the gap at the bottom to three points as they prepare to host Aberdeen on Saturday."Take away the game on Monday, previous to that the form's been pretty good and it's put us into a position where it's a lot more competitive, which is how we wanted it going into the last stretch of the season," midfielder Holt added.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Belfast Telegraph
18 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Derry City suffer more frustration as Galway United ease to draw at Brandywell
The Candystripes, who lost successive games before the mid-season break, did fight back quickly from the concession of an early goal, with Kevin Holt's second goal of the season wiping out David Hurley's early penalty. But despite an encouraging first-half from the home side, they were unable to replicate it in a forgettable second period, with the Candystripes now 11 points off Shamrock Rovers at the top of the Premier Division. Galway scored courtesy of a long throw-in on their last visit to the Brandywell back in March and they very nearly did so again after just four minutes, Edward McCarthy's throw flicked on by Pat Hickey into the path of Moses Dyer, but the striker fired over from close range, much to the relief of the City defenders. The home side should have had the lead just 90 seconds later, however, when Sam Todd broke into the area from the left wing and his ball right across goal somehow missed Michael Duffy and then Gavin Whyte, with any touch needed to take the ball over the line from two yards out. The Derry defence just couldn't handle the Galway long throw and it cost them again on 10 minutes when McCarthy's throw was again flicked on by Hickey and the players all stopped stunned when referee Declan Toland pointed to the penalty spot, signalling that Holt had his arms around Dyer. Hurley stepped up to send Brian Maher the wrong way to give Galway the lead. Derry drew level in fortuitous circumstances quickly however. Whyte brought the ball down well in the area before turning to fire the ball across goal, where Gregory Cunningham attempted to clear it, but only cannoned the ball off Holt, sending it spiralling back into the net past Evann Watts. Neither side could really take control despite that hectic start to the game, but there were chances at both ends, Duffy curling a superb effort just past the upright from 20 yards before Jeannot Esua crossed for Hickey to send a header just wide for Galway. Danny Mullen was beginning to make his presence felt as the game approached half-time, but his finishing was eluding him as he shot over twice in quick succession, the second of which was a real opening after more good work from Todd. The home side had one final chance at the end of a busy first half when Duffy's free-kick found Todd rising high at the back post, but the defender headed over. It was close, but not close enough, which summed up the first-half for Lynch's side. With little happening in the second-half, Lynch made a number of changes, the most notable of which was Sadou Diallo returning after a long spell out with a broken arm, the midfielder making his first appearance in 13 games. But the home side were unable to break Galway down, with the frustration in the stands translating to the players on the pitch, who looked bereft of ideas in the closing stages of a disappointing performance. Derry now face a double trip to Dublin to face champions Shelbourne and St. Patrick's Athletic over the space of four days next weekend. Derry City: Maher, Cann, Connolly, Holt, R Boyce (Diallo 76), Winchester, O'Reilly, Whyte (McMullan 64), Todd, Duffy (Thomas 86), Mullen (L Boyce 76). Galway United: Watts, Byrne, Slevin, Esua, Cunningham (Brouder HT), Buckley, Hurley (Burns HT), Borden (McCormack 56), McCarthy (Walsh 87), Hickey, Dyer (Shaw 88). Man of the Match: Sam Todd (Derry City) Match Rating: 5/10


The Courier
7 hours ago
- The Courier
St Johnstone midfielder Victor Griffith seeking Gold Cup glory with Panama
St Johnstone midfielder Victor Griffith has set his sights on Gold Cup glory after impressing on his Panama comeback. The 24-year-old hadn't been involved with his national team for two years and declined a call-up in March as he recuperated from an ankle injury sustained with Saints in a Premiership clash against Kilmarnock. But even though he struggled to hit top form with his new club towards the end of last season, he was recalled for Panama's World Cup qualifying double-header and the Concacaf Gold Cup finals. Boss, Thomas Christiansen, picked Griffith in his starting line-up for the second of those matches, against Nicaragua. He stayed on for the full 90 minutes as Panama secured a 3-0 victory. The squad has now arrived in Los Angeles ahead of their Gold Cup Group C opener against Guadeloupe on Monday night. And Griffith hopes to use his Nicaragua performance as a platform for bigger and better things in the United States. 'Nicaragua made the game very difficult,' he said. 'It wasn't an easy situation – we went there with players on suspension. 'But this is what the group is for. 'We have a great squad and the training camp has been very good. 'Whoever plays always tries to do their best, and you could see that in this game. 'For me personally, it was a very big opportunity. 'I tried to make the most of it. 'Now it's time to prepare for the Gold Cup and I want to be able to do even better there.' Panama's busy schedule is likely to have an impact on Griffith being able to hit the ground running with Saints next season, however. The last time there was a Gold Cup, they went all the way through to the final. If they repeat that this time around, the tournament won't conclude for Griffith until July 7. Saints return for pre-season training on June 23.


Edinburgh Reporter
10 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Scottish Gas Men's and Women's Scottish Cup 2026 – Dates for the diary
The Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup kicks off with the first Preliminary Round on Saturday, 9 August, while the Scottish Gas Women's Scottish Cup begins a week later with Preliminary Round One on Sunday, 17 August. The draws for both Preliminary Rounds will take place in July, live on the Scottish Cup Youtube Channel. Details for this will be communicated in due course. Hibs last won the trophy in 2016 whilst Hearts did likewise in 2012. Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup Preliminary Round One: weekend of Saturday, 9 August 2025 Preliminary Round Two: weekend of Saturday, 30 August 2025 First Round: weekend of Saturday, 27 September 2025 Second Round: weekend of Saturday, 25 October 2025 Third Round: weekend of Saturday, 29 November 2025 Fourth Round: weekend of Saturday, 17 January 2026 Fifth Round: weekend of Saturday, 7 February 2026 Quarter-Finals: weekend of Saturday, 7 March 2026 Semi-Finals: Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April 2026 Final: Saturday, 23 May 2026 Rangers comfortably beat Hibs 5-0 in the final of the Scottish Women's Premier League Cup at Fir Park, Motherwell. Credit: Ian Jacobs. Scottish Gas Women's Scottish Cup Preliminary Round 1: weekend of Sunday, 17 August 2025 Preliminary Round 2: weekend of Sunday, 7 September 2025 First Round: weekend of Sunday, 5 October 2025 Second Round: weekend of Sunday, 2 November 2025 Third Round: weekend of Sunday, 7 December 2025 Fourth Round: weekend of Sunday, 11 January 2026 Quarter-Finals: weekend of Sunday, 15 February 2026 Semi-Finals: Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May 2026 Final: Sunday, 31 May 2026 Like this: Like Related