‘A day for miracles and heroes’ – St Johnstone boss on semi-final

Manager Simo Valkari believes “heroes can be born” at Hampden when St Johnstone take on Celtic in Sunday’s Scottish Cup final.

The Perth club sit bottom of the Premiership but take confidence from a shock 1-0 win over the runaway leaders a fortnight ago.

Valakari expects Celtic to be fired up for revenge but is sure his side can test the cup holders.

“Now they are awake, they can hurt us if we are not ready,” said the Finn. “Many people have said it’s not possible to do it two times in a row, but I see it the other way around.

“We had a very good performance, we got the result. We know what we need to do. We need to play better, but it gives us confidence that it is possible.

“It is a day where miracles (can happen) and heroes can be born.”

Valakari twice won the Finnish Cup with Kups and led Riga to Latvian Supercup success last year.

“As a coach you are always thinking next game, next game,” he said.

“But I remember the feeling when you lift that trophy. For maybe 24 hours, you don’t have any worries in the world. You just have this euphoria.

“After 24 hours you go ‘what we can do better for next season’, but that’s the moment when you celebrate with your players, with your fans. That’s why we do this business.”