Motherwell 2-1 St Johnstone: What the manager said

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "First half was not close to where we need to be. We cannot be this soft. To go two goals down away at Motherwell, a strong defensive side who can hit you in the transitions, we put ourselves in a very difficult situation.

"At half time I said to the boys it would be the most crucial 45 minutes in our time together because these 45 minutes will tell what kind of team we are and want to be.

"Either we can go down, give up, or show something. I think in the second half they put their heart and soul on the pitch to try to get something out of it.

"But in the first half we put ourselves in too difficult a position."