The summer transfer window was a busy one for St Johnstone with eleven new players arriving at McDiarmid Park as the club looked to plug the gap left by the huge exodus at the end of the previous campaign.
There was excitement amongst fans as the signings brought in by Steven MacLean and the football department appeared to be of a different nature to those brought in by Callum Davidson in previous seasons.
The jury is still very much out on several of the players who moved to Perth in the summer, but ahead of the January transfer window, let’s assess how they have done so far.
Luke Jephcott – 4/10
A lack of a full pre-season has meant Jephcott has struggled to make a huge impact at Saints since arriving at the club. He showed glimpses during the ill-fated League Cup group stage campaign that he might provide a new option to the Saints attack, but he ultimately failed to take his chance while Chris Kane and Nicky Clark were out injured. He now has a chance again to impress with Clark out for a long period.
Dimitar Mitov – 9/10
The best piece of business concluded by the club in the summer. A wonderful goalkeeper and it is scary to think where Saints would be without him this year. Arguably the best keeper in the Scottish Premiership and will go on to make the club a healthy profit.
Sven Sprangler – 7/10
Another top piece of business. Steven MacLean deserves major credit for finding Sven Sprangler and getting a deal over the line for him. He is a battling midfielder who always wears his heart on his sleeve and fans love to see it. His passion for the club is a delight to watch and he will be key if Saints are to remain in the division this term.
Sam McClelland – 6/10
Featured quite a bit after signing in the summer as MacLean chopped and changed his defensive backline. His inexperience was telling at times though, but with more games behind him he can certainly be an asset, especially with the likes of Andy Considine and Ryan McGowan at the latter stages of their football careers. Currently out injured, but hopefully, he will bounce back following his rehab.
Oludare Olufunwa – 5/10
The former Liverpool and Southampton man has found game time hard to come by since signing permanently at McDiarmid Park, but in the few games he has played, he has shown that he could be a valuable asset in the future. Olufunwa can play across the backline and his pace and power is something to be admired. He just has to adjust to the Scottish game and he could be a very handy addition indeed.
Matt Smith – 7/10
The Welsh international struggled when he first arrived in Perth, mainly because Saints were on the back foot in a lot of the games he was involved in. Since Chris Kane and Nicky Clark have come back from injury to lead the line the team has been far more attacking and that has suited Smith’s game. He loves to pick a pass in the final third and he also has an eye for goal himself. A clever and neat footballer who will surely be playing his way into his national team set-up once again.
Dara Costelloe – 7/10
Costelloe has been utilised as a winger, wing-back and striker so far this term and the Burnley loanee has shown that his versatility will be an asset over the course of the campaign. The 20-year-old is direct, loves to take on a man and he has shown that he is capable of finding the back of the net too. His decision-making at times is lacking, but with more games under his belt, he will become more of a threat over the season.
Diallang Jaiyesimi – 3/10
The winger has hardly featured since joining on loan from Charlton in the summer due to a number of injuries. He started in Steven MacLean’s final match as manager against St Mirren and showed some signs, but then picked up a further injury after that. Despite looking off the pace due to a lack of minutes, Jaiyesimi showed he is a good carrier of the ball and likes to take a man on. If Craig Levein can get him up to speed, then he could be an added option in the final third going forward.
Jay Turner-Cooke – 4/10
The Newcastle loanee is another signing who has hardly featured since making the switch north. Turner-Cooke was probably the midfielder with the most excitement surrounding his name, given he was in and around Eddie Howe’s first-team squad during pre-season. The 19-year-old had an impressive first appearance in the 0-0 draw with Celtic in Glasgow, but since then he has struggled to make an impact on the team. The month of December may determine whether he will remain at the club beyond January.
Luke Robinson – 8/10
Robinson was brought in more as defensive cover after Tony Gallacher picked up an injury, but he has seized his opportunity and has easily been one of the top outfield performers in recent months. His battling defensive qualities are excellent, but he also likes to get forward and join attacks. He is currently on loan from Wigan, but hopefully, the club are exploring the possibility of bringing him to Perth permanently.
Dave Richards – N/A
Emergency loan deal brought in after Ross Sinclair’s injury. Yet to feature so unfair to judge.
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