Valakari keen to 'leave the nostalgia' on Fir Park return

Simo Valakari admits he has not been back to Motherwell since leaving the club 24 years ago as he looks forward to a reunion on Saturday when he takes his St Johnstone side to Lanarkshire.

The Finn joined Motherwell in 1996 as a player and spent four years at the club before leaving to join Derby County.

"It is nice to go back to Fir Park because that was the place I started my professional career," Valakari said.

"I played my last game for Motherwell in 2000 when we beat Rangers 2-0. It’s now 24 years, I have not been back there.

"It will be nice to see the stadium again, to see the fans, but we have a big job with St Johnstone and this is our thing now, so full focus."

Valakari was full of praise for Stuart Kettlewell's side, who sit fifth after a solid start to the Premiership campagin.

"I have been watching and following Motherwell a long time, for many reasons," Valakari added.

"I see a very strong team who have a good team chemistry who are working for each other, who have some special players, with some pace, some good midfielders with the ball, some good defenders. It’s a very solid team. We need to find our way to hurt the opponent."

And while he focused on Saturday's match, Valakari admitted he never thought he'd return to the Scottish game.

"Not even one day did I think I would get the chance to manage in the Scottish Premiership," he said "I have been working very hard to get here and I am so happy and proud to be manager of St Johnstone.

"It’s a great moment to go back there but... we leave the nostalgia. Great memories, they never go, I never forget them, but now it’s a new chapter."