‘The best thing’ – Simo Valakari shares what he really thinks about Celtic fans’ St Johnstone ticket allocation

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Celtic fans are looking forward to the day Brendan Rodgers wraps up the title.

The Celtic manager has been clear that he wants to seal the title at the earliest date possible and the Bhoys can do that at St Johnstone.

That is providing, of course, that Celtic beat Rangers on Sunday and then take care of Hearts after the international break.

Celtic fans were boosted by the news that St Johnstone backpedalled on their initial McDiarmid Park allocation and have now offered the Parkhead club three stands for the April Scottish Premiership clash.

That news delighted the Celtic support, and after St Johnstone CEO Fran Smith explained the club’s decision, now it’s the turn of the Perth manager, Simo Valakari.

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Simo Valakari backs St Johnstone’s Celtic supporter stance

Valakari told The Courier, “For me, the best thing is that we will fill this stadium by ourselves. I really hope and wish we can in the future. But at this moment that’s not been happening.

“To make our club stronger we needed to make this decision now. My dream is that when we play against the Old F-rm, the three stands are our fans.

“That’s where we are driving this club to get to. We’re not there yet. First of all we need to get the fans to come into the stadium. Then, when we get them, they need to feel excited.

“They need to feel these players want the best for the club. Then they can give energy back to the team.”

St Johnstone made the correct decision, it’s time for others to follow their Celtic stance

Clubs in Scotland have taken this bizarre decision to cut Celtic’s ticket allocation over the last few seasons and it is a terrible look for the Scottish game.

With Celtic allowing Rangers fans back into Parkhead, the St Johnstone decision will, hopefully, make other clubs see sense.

Whilst other SPFL clubs have the right to try and grow their fanbase, how often have stands at Tynecastle, St Mirren Park, Pittodrie and Kilmarnock looked half empty whilst thousands of Celtic fans who are willing to travel and pay good money are left locked out?

These clubs are the first to moan about the power of Celtic’s finances whilst in the same breath, they cut their own throats by refusing the Parkhead supports cash.

It’s a flawed strategy that isn’t working, and St Johnstone have recognised that. Let’s hope other clubs do the same and follow suit for the new season ahead.