Valakari on close new signing and 'being impressed' by St Mirren

[SNS] Simo Valakari has been speaking to the media before St Johnstone's trip to Paisley to face with St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday. Here are some of his key points... St Johnstone are closing in on 26-year-old Bosnian left-back Enes Alic. Alic is a player Valakari been looking at for some time and the deal is close with the club waiting on a work permit. The move will not be done in time for this weekend. The Saints boss says his squad still have "many, many things we need to improve", but "the biggest thing" is that they have three points from their opening weekend win over Kilmarnock. Valakari believes being able to keep the core of his squad together from last season could prove significant for this season, saying "it is important because you can't buy the culture, you cannot buy the togetherness". On facing St Mirren, the Finn says he's been "very impressed" with the Paisley side. "They had a very difficult last season and survived through the play-offs, and still have the old DNA of St Mirren," said Valakari. St Johnstone have a full squad to choose from.