Latest news with #Ikpeazu
The Courier
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Uche Ikpeazu: I've won a personal battle now it's time to win a team one with St Johnstone
Completing a full game feels like a personal mission accomplished for St Johnstone striker, Uche Ikpeazu. And now the powerful comeback forward has his sights set on a collective great escape. After five operations and the best part of a year sidelined with knee problems, Ikpeazu only needed two substitute appearances before being ready to start and finish last weekend's Premiership clash with Kilmarnock. Ikpeazu has suffered no ill effects from a gruelling afternoon in the early summer sun at McDiarmid Park. And he's ready for another one, when Ross County are the opponents for a win or bust encounter. 'I feel I have already fought a battle this season,' said the 30-year-old. 'Sleepless nights, worry, stress, when, how, why. 'So many questions. 'To come back in the condition I've come back in, for me, is a winning battle for myself. 'I'm not going to lie, I'm proud of myself. 'Because I had to go into a really dark place and work extremely hard to get myself out of this situation. 'In that gym early morning, late in the evening, sometimes the afternoon. 'No days off. If I wasn't happy, I'd be back in the gym to do more knee strength. 'But no one cares about your story until you win. 'That's why I really want to help the team to an amazing story.' Ikpeazu hitting the goal trail to inspire Saints on their survival mission is the sort of story football can throw up at this time of year. 'That's exactly what I'm holding onto,' he said. I want to be that guy who makes the difference. 'Playing 90 minutes was a personal achievement after being out for so long. 'I left that pitch grateful for that. But at the same time, I was sad. I was really upset. I was disappointed. I should have scored. 'But I'm getting in the right positions. 'If I'm finding the right positions, the goal is going to come. 'But that's just my mentality, my personality. I asked myself: 'Where did I go wrong? Why didn't I score?' 'I've got to take accountability. I always want to do better and be better. But we move forward. 'We have to fight. 'I am not thinking about going down. We are still in there. We need to beat Ross County.' Ikpeazu stressed that, whatever footballing faults can be highlighted, the Perth squad doesn't lack desire to fight for St Johnstone. 'As a player, if you're with a team, you're not trying to do things wrong,' he said. 'A lack of attitude is different. But that's not the case here. 'It's about encouraging because a lot of boys have lost confidence. 'You're bottom of the league with three games to go. It takes its toll. 'It's human nature to feel the way some of those boys feel. We all have doubts. 'I'd always rather someone put the arm around me than shout or scream.'
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
St Johnstone 'lifeline' despite defeat by Kilmarnock
St Johnstone have been given "a little lifeline" thanks to results elsewhere according to manager Simo Valakari, despite a home defeat by Kilmarnock leaving their Scottish Premiership hopes' dangling by a thread.A fine strike from young midfielder David Watson had the visitors ahead before Danny Armstrong's second-half penalty extended the gap between the Johnstone's fourth loss in five league games leaves them eight points adrift of 10th place with three games to play - and six behind Ross County in 11th."The fight continues," Valakari told BBC Scotland. "Other results give us a little lifeline and that's what we need to grab."We could not perform well enough today. We knew against Kilmarnock, if you go 1-0 down, it will be difficult and I'm very disappointed in how we give away the first goal."We are very honest with ourselves, it was not good enough how we defended in crucial moments. It doesn't matter who you play, you need to be better with that."Kilmarnock are now six points above the relegation play-off spot and, having won back-to-back games, will feel a lot more comfortable about their chances of staying was Derek McInnes' side who made a fast start and midfielder Watson, who has only recently come back into the team, opened the scoring with a lashed, dipping finish from the edge of the box in the 12th Ikpeazu, the former Hearts striker, was making his first start of the season following injury and proved to be a handful for the Kilmarnock defenders, as he was in his first spell in rolled Stuart Findlay to set up Makenzie Kirk, only for the young striker to shoot wide before seeing his volley from a few yards out well saved by goalkeeper Kieran O' kept causing trouble in the second half, glancing a header inches wide. However, referee Ian Snedden then trotted across to the VAR screen and awarded a penalty down the other end of the McKenzie, on as a half-time sub for the visitors, was caught in the penalty box by Victor Griffith and Armstrong stepped up to squeeze his penalty under the legs of goalkeeper Andy Fisher. Saints almost down despite Ikpeazu influence That is almost that for St Johnstone, but they will go down sticking to the principles of play that Simo Valakari has tried to install. They were beaten by a fine strike and a penalty - two little mistakes that were severely inclusion of Ikpeazu was the eyebrow raiser, finally returning from an injury picked up before the season even started. His signing, made by Craig Levein, was supposed to be a statement of intent, but unfortunately it has gone almost totally as he might, it just would not come off for him. It was not for lack of effort. He was bullying defenders, holding them off or winning headers, rolling them when they came too close.A bit of match sharpness and he might have been on the scoresheet and Saints fans might be left wondering what could have been. Killie address rotten away form Winless in their past 12 away games, including 10 defeats, it was about time Kilmarnock turned up on the 2-0 win over Motherwell at the start of April gave McInnes' side some confidence, as did the victory over Ross County last turned up with that confidence, starting on the front foot and rarely letting restoration of Watson to the midfield was long overdue and he repaid the confidence finally shown in him. What they said St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "Disappointment, everyone is down, but we need to pick ourselves up. We have these three matches to grab something. "No time to feel sorry for ourselves. It's hard to pick yourself up, but we need to do it."Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "The pitch is really difficult. We tried to play the conditions, take the anxiety out of it. Davie [Watson] has the quality to get on the road, a brilliant finish from the wee fella."We knew the second goal didn't need to come, but ultimately you still want it. We were able to breathe easy, it put pressure on them and we stayed strong within our structure. It was a very mature, professional performance and the exact one that was needed."
STV News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
St Johnstone's Scottish Premiership survival hopes dented by loss to Kilmarnock
David Watson and Danny Armstrong scored early in either half for Kilmarnock to leave St Johnstone's William Hill Premiership survival hopes hanging by a thread. Watson's fifth goal of the campaign after 12 minutes sent the visitors on the way to a comfortable 2-0 success. Saints missed chances in the first period in the hunt for a leveller, but did not cause Killie any serious problems after Armstrong netted a 53rd-minute penalty. Simo Valakari's side once again failed to take advantage of a Ross County defeat. They remain six points adrift at the bottom with three games to play and enter the last-chance saloon when hosting the Dingwall side next Saturday. Valakari rolled the dice by giving Uche Ikpeazu his first start for the club. The striker stepped up on two substitute outings since 11 months out with knee trouble. Yet Kilmarnock were initially the dangerous team in the final third on and were rewarded with the opener. Saints had multiple opportunities to get a foot in and prevent play from building. However, Sven Sprangler slipped as Corrie Ndaba cut inside from the left and found Watson lurking on the edge of the penalty box. Daniels Balodis stood off as Watson shifted the ball onto his right foot and sent a terrific effort into the far corner beyond goalkeeper Andy Fisher's reach. Armstrong's miskick and a Fisher save from Stuart Findlay prevented Killie doubling their advantage. Saints then took over and spurned opportunities to level. Makenzie Kirk collected on the turn from Ikpeazu 10 yards out, but lost his way and shot wide. In the 34th minute, Kirk flicked on for Ikpeazu to stare down Kieran O'Hara from six yards. However, on his first start since April 27 last year for Port Vale, the big forward fired straight at the goalkeeper. Kilmarnock struck eight minutes into the second half to assume control. Rory McKenzie, a half-time substitute for Swansea-bound Bobby Wales, won a penalty belatedly awarded by VAR. The veteran tumbled under a lazy challenge from Victor Griffith. Only after Ikpeazu missed a headed chance at the other end did referee Iain Snedden take a trip to the monitor to the award the spot-kick. Armstrong's kick down the centre of the goal was almost blocked by the legs of Fisher. However, the out-of-contract winger was able to lap up the celebrations of only his second goal of the season. Ikpeazu was kept on the pitch much longer than expected and joined by Adama Sidibeh and Nicky Clark in search of a late spark. Yet the Kilmarnock defence was entirely comfortable with what the home side mustered. Derek McInnes's deservedly moved on to 41 points, six ahead of the relegation play-off berth. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
St Johnstone 0 Kilmarnock 2: Hosts' survival hopes dented
David Watson and Danny Armstrong scored early in either half for Kilmarnock to leave St Johnstone's William Hill Premiership survival hopes hanging by a thread. Watson's fifth goal of the campaign after 12 minutes sent the visitors on the way to a comfortable 2-0 success. Saints missed chances in the first period in the hunt for a leveller, but did not cause Killie any serious problems after Armstrong netted a 53rd-minute penalty. Simo Valakari's side once again failed to take advantage of a Ross County defeat. They remain six points adrift at the bottom with three games to play and enter the last-chance saloon when hosting the Dingwall side next Saturday. Valakari rolled the dice by giving Uche Ikpeazu his first start for the club. The striker stepped up on two substitute outings since 11 months out with knee trouble. Yet Kilmarnock were initially the dangerous team in the final third on and were rewarded with the opener. Saints had multiple opportunities to get a foot in and prevent play from building. However, Sven Sprangler slipped as Corrie Ndaba cut inside from the left and found Watson lurking on the edge of the penalty box. Daniels Balodis stood off as Watson shifted the ball onto his right foot and sent a terrific effort into the far corner beyond goalkeeper Andy Fisher's reach. Armstrong's miskick and a Fisher save from Stuart Findlay prevented Killie doubling their advantage. Saints then took over and spurned opportunities to level. Makenzie Kirk collected on the turn from Ikpeazu 10 yards out, but lost his way and shot wide. In the 34th minute, Kirk flicked on for Ikpeazu to stare down Kieran O'Hara from six yards. However, on his first start since April 27 last year for Port Vale, the big forward fired straight at the goalkeeper. Kilmarnock struck eight minutes into the second half to assume control. Rory McKenzie, a half-time substitute for Swansea-bound Bobby Wales, won a penalty belatedly awarded by VAR. The veteran tumbled under a lazy challenge from Victor Griffith. Only after Ikpeazu missed a headed chance at the other end did referee Iain Snedden take a trip to the monitor to the award the spot-kick. Armstrong's kick down the centre of the goal was almost blocked by the legs of Fisher. However, the out-of-contract winger was able to lap up the celebrations of only his second goal of the season. Ikpeazu was kept on the pitch much longer than expected and joined by Adama Sidibeh and Nicky Clark in search of a late spark. Yet the Kilmarnock defence was entirely comfortable with what the home side mustered. Derek McInnes's deservedly moved on to 41 points, six ahead of the relegation play-off berth.
Powys County Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
St Johnstone's Scottish Premiership survival hopes dented by loss to Kilmarnock
David Watson and Danny Armstrong scored early in either half for Kilmarnock to leave St Johnstone's William Hill Premiership survival hopes hanging by a thread. Watson's fifth goal of the campaign after 12 minutes sent the visitors on the way to a comfortable 2-0 success. Saints missed chances in the first period in the hunt for a leveller, but did not cause Killie any serious problems after Armstrong netted a 53rd-minute penalty. Simo Valakari's side once again failed to take advantage of a Ross County defeat. They remain six points adrift at the bottom with three games to play and enter the last-chance saloon when hosting the Dingwall side next Saturday. Valakari rolled the dice by giving Uche Ikpeazu his first start for the club. The striker stepped up on two substitute outings since 11 months out with knee trouble. Yet Kilmarnock were initially the dangerous team in the final third on and were rewarded with the opener. Saints had multiple opportunities to get a foot in and prevent play from building. However, Sven Sprangler slipped as Corrie Ndaba cut inside from the left and found Watson lurking on the edge of the penalty box. Daniels Balodis stood off as Watson shifted the ball onto his right foot and sent a terrific effort into the far corner beyond goalkeeper Andy Fisher's reach. Armstrong's miskick and a Fisher save from Stuart Findlay prevented Killie doubling their advantage. Saints then took over and spurned opportunities to level. Makenzie Kirk collected on the turn from Ikpeazu 10 yards out, but lost his way and shot wide. In the 34th minute, Kirk flicked on for Ikpeazu to stare down Kieran O'Hara from six yards. However, on his first start since April 27 last year for Port Vale, the big forward fired straight at the goalkeeper. Kilmarnock struck eight minutes into the second half to assume control. Rory McKenzie, a half-time substitute for Swansea-bound Bobby Wales, won a penalty belatedly awarded by VAR. The veteran tumbled under a lazy challenge from Victor Griffith. Only after Ikpeazu missed a headed chance at the other end did referee Iain Snedden take a trip to the monitor to the award the spot-kick. Armstrong's kick down the centre of the goal was almost blocked by the legs of Fisher. However, the out-of-contract winger was able to lap up the celebrations of only his second goal of the season. Ikpeazu was kept on the pitch much longer than expected and joined by Adama Sidibeh and Nicky Clark in search of a late spark. Yet the Kilmarnock defence was entirely comfortable with what the home side mustered.
