Saints face 'big fight' but 'more than up for it' - Holt

Jason Holt admits St Johnstone are "going to have a big fight on our hands" to lift themselves off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, but the midfielder insists "we are more than up for it".

Saints' 2-1 home defeat by Dundee on Boxing Day means they have now lost seven points from winning positions in their past four matches.

"If we get into winning positions, we need to start keeping hold of that and turn it into three points," Holt told Saints TV.

"As soon as we concede the first goal, they get a bit of confidence and put a bit of pressure on. We have to hold on to that position, even if it's a drawing position, longer. We have got to do more to stay in the lead for longer."

New manager Simo Valakari's side have taken one point from five matches and their run is highly likely to get worse before it improves given they travel to Celtic Park on Sunday.

"It's going to be difficult," Hold added. "We need to take responsibility as players and we need to be better.

"The games are coming thick and fast and it's just about staying together as a team and staying strong and believing in what we are doing and that things will turn and results will get positive again.

"The dressing room is more than together and we are ready for whatever lies ahead."