St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari has heaped praise on Brendan Rodgers and Celtic ahead of the Hoops’ trip to McDiarmid Park this Sunday in the Scottish Premiership. The Saints will be looking to put up a fight against Celtic, but Valakari is under no illusions about the challenge his team faces.

Celtic have been in sensational form under Rodgers this season, maintaining their dominance in Scottish football while putting in strong performances in the Champions League. Valakari, who took charge of St Johnstone in October, has been impressed by what he’s seen from the Hoops.

Valakari said: (Sky Sports), “Yes, we know Celtic and how well they have been playing domestically and in Europe. What I like about them is that they’re so ruthless.

“For us, it’s a big challenge. But at the same time, we need to go. Crazy things happen in football.”

Valakari’s respect for Celtic extends beyond just this weekend’s league clash, as the two sides are also set to meet in the Scottish Cup semi-final later this month. With silverware on the line at Hampden, Valakari’s men will have another opportunity to test themselves against the best team in the country.

While the Saints will no doubt be aiming to cause an upset, Valakari has spoken with humility about the gap in quality between the two sides. He understands the level Celtic are operating at and knows his team will need to be at their absolute best to stand a chance.

Brendan Rodgers will likely appreciate the respect from his opposite number, but his focus will be on ensuring Celtic keep up their relentless push for a domestic treble. The Hoops are edging ever closer to a 55th league title, and Valakari showed class ahead of the game—something that not all coaches in the Scottish Premiership do before playing Celtic.