Simo Valakari loves that his St Johnstone squad is full of players willing to go outside their comfort zone. And few embody that characteristic as strongly as Jack Baird. Since starting Saints’ first Championship clash against Partick Thistle in place of the suspended Morgan Boyes, Baird has held onto his central defensive starting spot. Valakari wants his rear guard players to be strong in possession, as well as with the more physical demands of the position. “That’s why I really enjoy working with this group of players.”