Simo Valakari, the St Johnstone manager, anticipates a challenging Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic this weekend. Despite injuries to Zach Mitchell and Drey Wright, striker Uche Ikpeazu is set to make his season debut. Valakari views the upcoming match as an opportunity for "miracles and heroes" to emerge, drawing confidence from the team's recent league victory over Celtic.
Valakari acknowledges the importance of delivering a top-notch performance at Hampden, emphasizing the quality of his players and expressing a desire for them to showcase their abilities. The manager believes his team has earned their spot in the semi-finals through resilient performances and a solid defensive record. Drawing from his past cup successes in Finland and Latvia, Valakari aims to instill a winning mentality in his players and relish the euphoria of lifting trophies.