St Mirren

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

Five minutes into Saturday night's visit of Hibernian, all was well in the world of post-Hampden St Mirren.

Oh, did you enjoy that ruthless aggression in attack last week? Here, enjoy some more courtesy of Marcus Fraser's functional and dependable forehead.

A few minutes and seemingly a couple of goes at drawing some lines later, said forehead was clearly and obviously offside. Back to square one.

This bait and switch seemed to knock the Saints out of rhythm, and a grateful Hibs attack made it count for a half-time lead.

One minute or so into the second half, all was well once again. Oh, did you enjoy that unbelievable Dan Nlundulu goal from distance last week? Here, enjoy another one courtesy of his miraculous right foot.

A few minutes and seemingly a couple of goes at drawing some lines later, said right foot was clearly and obviously offside. Back to square one.

This bait and switch seemed to knock the Saints out of rhythm, and a grateful Hibs attack made it count, doubling their lead a short time later.

By the time Miguel Chaiwa crashed in a third for Hibs towards the end, the Buddies carried the unmistakable air of a VAR-battered side keen for an international break to spare them further woe.

The VAR room was not the source of St Mirren's defeat on Saturday. David Gray's Leith collective held decent value for their win and have had plenty of their own quibbles with officiating in previous games against the Saints.

There is no clandestine conspiracy at play that is keeping the Buddies down. Most marginal decisions that have settled recent contests seem justified, even if pausing in-stadium celebrations while someone checks their laptop for a few minutes is growing tiresome.

Hampden bore witness to what happens when all clicks for Stephen Robinson in a single 90 minutes. Saturday night (and a few others recently) offer the counter; doing the right things, creating good chances, winning battles yet getting nothing to show for it.

These margins are tight enough that I hold no real fear the Saints are in freefall. This is a dugout, squad and boardroom that have shown they know who they are and what they can do for a sustained period of time.

Had a few punishingly-tight offside calls and late red cards been absent in recent weeks, performances suggest the league picture would be far closer to the joy experienced in cup outings.

To echo the call from times of far greater drama and suffering in recent St Mirren history, keep the faith.

Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

St Mirren season ticket holders will be given the opportunity to buy up to 20 tickets each for next month's Premier Sports Cup final against Celtic. (Scottish Sun), external

Pundit Michael Stewart has issued an apology to the Scottish FA after mentioning a "cover-up" over the use of VAR to rule out a St Mirren goal in Saturday's game with Hibs, saying: "I am not trying to claim there is something untoward going on." (Scottish Football Social Club via Daily Record, external)

Watch highlights from St Mirren's 3-0 defeat against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on St Mirren's 3-0 defeat against Hibernian.

Here's what some of you said:

Alistair: VAR has got me to the point where I am not enjoying the game and seriously consider if it's worth going any more. It's a weekly occurrence that officials look to find faults and the joy of our team scoring a goal isn't there any more. We were as poor this week as we were good last week.

Ali: Very frustrating game all round. After getting the first goal chopped off it completely killed the first half and we just couldn't get into the game. Same story in the second half. Credit to Hibs, they were the better team on the day. Whatever you want to say about right and wrong decisions one thing is for certain - VAR kills any flow of the game and we'd be better off without it.

Allan: Pundits, commentators, the press, coaches and players have to accept decisions. One millimetre offside is therefore offside! There were a couple of inches in it for the early St Mirren goal whilst their first minute second half goal was clear and the linesman should flag for it. Yes, Hibs had the rub of the green, but they were much cleaner in attack with Jamie McGrath's assist outstanding while Nicky Cadden was much closer to his best. Chris Cadden's first league goal for two seasons was special after his unfortunate showing against Rangers. St Mirren badly missed Alex Gogic and Mark O'Hara but they failed to get to grips with Hibernian's midfield of Daniel Barlaser, Josh Mulligan, McGrath and Miguel Chaiwa who all impressed for the capital club.

Douglas: You could easily develop a persecution complex as a St Mirren supporter as VAR again heavily influenced the direction of the game at important moments but I won't ignore the fact that Hibs were really well organised from back to front and basically bossed the game.

Michael: Very poor from the once solid St Mirren midfield. Keanu Baccus, Roland Idowu and Liam Donnelly were well short of the mark and we ultimately missed the captain Mark O'Hara. Well deserved and easy victory for Hibs. Some of the St Mirren players now need to worry about automatically starting from now on.

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "We equalise, we go in front, it changes the game completely, so whether they're onside or not you hope VAR's got it right. Which would be a surprise to be fair.

"I haven't seen anything back. I got told there was two sets of lines drawn for the first [disallowed] goal. One that looked like the ball hadn't been played forward, which means he's onside.

"Whether that's true or not, I don't know. But if it is, I find it incredible. They made that judgement call that it's offside."

Robinson added: "But I can only control the things that we can control.

"I thought Hibs deserved to win because they kept delivering balls in the box, they kept winning second balls, which allowed them to express themselves. I didn't think we did.

"I didn't think we won enough second balls, not enough deliveries into the box at times."

Hibernian eased to a comfortable win over frustrated St Mirren in Paisley to regain third place in the Scottish Premiership.

Read the match report here.

Have your say here.

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St Mirren captain Mark O'Hara is likely to miss out after aggravating a foot problem while Shamal George is a fitness doubt. Alex Gogic is suspended.

Hibernian trio Joe Newell (groin), Alasana Manneh (hamstring) and Warren O'Hora (shoulder) have trained all week and are available, but Dylan Levitt (appendix) and Rudi Molotnikov (ankle) are out.

Miguel Freckelton's disallowed goal in St Mirren's 2-2 draw with Hearts should have stood, according to the Scottish FA's key match incident panel.

St Mirren were 2-1 up in the game on 29 October when Freckleton added a third, but VAR intervened over an alleged impediment from captain Mark O'Hara on Hearts' Lawrence Shankland while in an offside position.

Referee Mathew MacDermid, who initially gave an on-field goal, reversed his decision after checking the footage.

All three of the KMI panel agreed the original decision should have stood.

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St Mirren had a well-deserved night out following their Premier Sports Cup semi-final victory over Motherwell, but manager Stephen Robinson says focus must now switch to improving their league form.

The Buddies won 4-1 at Hampden last weekend to set up a meeting with Celtic on 14 December.

However, they have won just two of 10 Premiership matches and are eighth in the table. Robinson's side host Hibs on Saturday, seeking their first league win since September.

"The boys had a night out after the game, deservedly so," Robinson said. "They worked very hard. The cup started a long, long time ago for us so we've got through the hard way and the game was closer than the score suggests.

"It was a tough game against a really, really good Motherwell side that we were able to be clinical against.

"So it was important that they enjoyed the moment. Moments like that don't come around very often in people's careers.

"So they've done that on the Saturday, but we were back again on the Monday, ready to play, ready to train and they've shown a great attitude.

"This group wants to keep achieving, wants to be a top-six side again for four years in a row.

"We enjoyed the weekend, enjoyed the result and now we're back to business again. We've had to put that to bed. I've made very sure the players are fully focused on the league now.

"We haven't got the results we wanted. We've had good performances and what we showed against Motherwell was, when we're clinical, we'll win games of football. We haven't been clinical enough in the league.

"So that's how we turn those good performances into wins and hopefully starting to do that on Saturday.

"Training's been good, it's been sharp and now everyone's playing for a place in the final but ultimately also to make sure we start climbing the table and getting points."

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Remember Danny Lennon's lucky penny?

Back in 2013, the-then St Mirren manager was given a lucky penny by a six-year-old fan before the League Cup semi-final against Celtic.

Sure enough, the Buddies went on to beat the Scottish champions at Hampden. It worked its magic again for the final - a 3-2 win over Hearts on St Patrick's Day.

I can only assume he lost it or spent it after that, because Lennon's team didn't win another game until the last day of the season, as they finished second bottom of the Premier League.

No promotion or relegation play-offs back in the day - thank goodness - so I guess that was lucky.

If he kept the lucky charm, then he could add £45.99 to it and buy himself a Premier Sports Cup final ticket. A bit pricey, but I fancy the Buddies will sell their initial allocation of 9,500 tickets pronto.

The cup run has certainly been good value for money. The Buddies have played seven matches in the competition, beaten three Premiership sides, scored some showstopping goals and endured three penalty shootouts en route to the final.

In contrast, Celtic have only had to come through three matches because of their European exploits. But hey, life's always more fun when you take the scenic route, especially on an open-top bus.

Celtic will of course be strong favourites. They'll have a bigger support, they're the cup holders and you wouldn't bet against the charismatic Martin O'Neill still being in charge.

The sides meet in Paisley in the league later this month and that might give another indication on how they're shaping up for the big date in December.

Celtic are the only team in the top six to have beaten St Mirren this season, and that by a single goal at Celtic Park. Worth noting too that Celtic will have played a Europa League match against Roma just three days before the final while the Paisley Saints can give the Premier Sports Cup their full attention that week.

It won't be manager Stephen Robinson's first Hampden final rodeo either. He's looking forward to his third final at Hampden having taken Motherwell there twice in the 2017-18 season. Mind you they lost both to Celtic...

Robinson admits he's not as superstitious as he used to be as a player, but he'd be forgiven for thinking that third time might well be a charm.

Maybe Danny Lennon can send him that lucky penny just to make sure...

Image source, SNS

• St Mirren are unbeaten in eight league meetings with Hibs (W4 D4) since a 2-1 home defeat in May 2023.

• Hibs have only won of their past six visits to Paisley in the Scottish Premiership (D3 L2), a 1-0 victory in February 2023 under Lee Johnson.

• St Mirren have only lost one of their past 10 home league games (W4 D5), although are winless in two (D1 L1).

• Only leaders Hearts have earned more away points in the Scottish Premiership this season (13) than Hibs (9), who have lost just one of six league fixtures on the road (W2 D3).

• 44% of St Mirren's non-penalty expected goals in the Premiership this season have come from set-plays (4.4/9.9), the highest ratio of any side. However, just 16.9% of Hibs' non-penalty xGA has been from set-plays (2.0/11.7), the lowest ratio in 2025-26.

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St Mirren have been given an initial 9,500 tickets for the Premier Sports Cup final against Celtic at Hampden on 14 December.

The Buddies' allocation could rise to 17,000 depending on early sales.

St Mirren fans will be housed in the South and West Stands, with adult ticket prices starting at £40 for adults and £25 concessions.

The Paisley side beat Motherwell 4-1 to secure a first-ever League Cup final meeting with Celtic.

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

It had been 12 long years since I last got to watch St Mirren run out at Hampden, prior to Saturday night.

In the season following lockdown, Jim Goodwin led us to both cup semi-finals though not further. The team may have made the journey to Glasgow's southside, but as fans we peered through laptops as the occasions played out in front of eerie silence.

Born in 1989, I arrived after the 1987 cup final that still accounts for the glint in most Saints fans' eyes nearly three decades later.

This then, for me and many other Buddies alike, has bestowed almost mythical status on the 2013 League Cup win over Hearts. A singular experience. Our one chance to see black and white draped around a major trophy, to see our town leading the back pages and the "and finally…" on the news for positive reasons.

Before that final win came a glorious semi-final victory over Neil Lennon's Celtic. Teenage John McGinn announcing himself on the national stage, Craig Samson saving a Charlie Mulgrew penalty, and Isma Goncalves' debut heroics combined to produce a starter that lives almost as fondly in the memory as the main course that followed.

All this is to say that Saturday night will not be taken for granted. There is no desire to treat the occasion as success in itself, not least from Stephen Robinson. This victory gives us the platform for greater glory, not a reason to sit back and congratulate ourselves.

However, a performance that clinical and dominant, that intense and poignant, deserves to be celebrated. That celebration rang out around Hampden come half seven on Saturday and could be followed all the way back to Paisley.

These nights are the reason buses fill and travel to Pittodrie on cold December mornings, that 7,000 fans show up on a Wednesday night to back the side against the league leaders.

They are the reason well-travelled Buddies will return to Scotland for Christmas 10 days early. They are the reason, decades from now, young Saints fans will have a night to point back at as the reason they fell in love with the club that their mum, dad or grandparents loved already.

December will arrive quickly, and with it the chance to make heroes of another group who have already done so much to be held in the heart of our town. Bring it on.

Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

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Three successive top-six finishes in the Scottish Premiership and now a Premier Sports Cup final - Stephen Robinson's record at St Mirren only improves as time goes on.

The Buddies were magnificent at Hampden in the semi-final as they dispatched Motherwell 4-1 with a sparkling display, setting up a date with Celtic at the national stadium on 14 December.

Motherwell have been much praised this season for their style of football, but they were nullified - outfought and outplayed by the Paisley side.

"I think the credit has to go to St Mirren," The Herald's chief football writer Stephen McGowan said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Stephen Robinson has been quite vocal in saying he doesn't feel his team gets the credit they deserve.

"It was only a week or so ago we're talking about St Mirren really struggling to score goals - they scored six in their first nine league games, well they've rattled a few in in the last two games.

"What more can you say about Stephen Robinson? He must be wondering - with the best will in world to St Mirren - what he has to do to be mentioned seriously for bigger jobs and bigger clubs.

"They really are punching above their weight consistently and what a story that would be if St Mirren could go and upset Celtic - you wouldn't rule it out."

We asked for your views on St Mirren's 4-1 win against Motherwell in the semi-final of the Premier Sports cup.

Here's what some of you said:

Iain: What a brilliant performance and result. Bring on the final! Players gave their all, as did the fans!

Trevor: My last three visits to Hampden have had five goals in each game - this game was no different! Hampden is a happy hunting ground for us.

Everything was class from defending to link-ups to quality finishing. We had everything in abundance, and even a late goal against us - it's the St Mirren way. What isn't the St Mirren way is scoring two late goals and enjoying the final seven minutes!

Colin: Absolutely outstanding to a man. We had a game plan and stuck to it. We looked a real threat going forward and the back three were magnificent throughout. On to the final!

Douglas: A brilliant unravelling of an attractive Motherwell side. There are many adjectives that can be uttered to describe that win, but I will try to describe it in one, - masterful.

Don't call us a 'rough bunch', just listen to the players after the game. They are far from rough, they are a team and they all understand what it takes to be a successful team.

William: Celtic and Rangers would much rather be playing Motherwell. This was a terrific display from Saints backed by a wonderful support.

Does anyone really believe St Mirren will fail against one of the big two in December's final? Bookies will be hastily cutting their odds.

Jimbo: Hopefully the Buddies can keep building on two very positive performances after three somewhat unlucky results. We have been punished by VAR inconsistencies but I admit we got away with one. In the end we took our chances, they didn't.

Have your say on the game here.

Read the match report here.

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson talking to BBC Scotland: "I am extremely proud of the players," he says. "A lot of the comments before the game motivated the players today.

"We are a very good side and very well organsied, as everyone keeps reminding us and we needed that in the second half, but we showed a lot of quality.

"There was some fantastic play and it could have been more. I thought they carried out the gameplan really well."

Still irritated by suggestions his side are all about height and power, Robinson adds: "We actually have some of the smallest back fives in the league, so it is a bit of a misconception, but they have certainly got more than that and, if you combine physicality with talent and an end product, we showed that in abundance."

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland

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Mark O'Hara has seen Coldplay at Hampden, but the St Mirren skipper will finally take centre stage this weekend.

O'Hara's first game at the National Stadium comes at age 29 in the Premier Sports Cup as the Buddies vie with Motherwell for a place in the final.

The midfielder said: "Everyone's excited, this group has been together for the best part of four years now. We've never had that Hampden experience.

"We've been successful, but this is something we've never tapped into. We're going to relish that opportunity.

"It's my first semi-final at Hampden. It's been a long time coming. I've always made it to the stage just before.

"We made it quite regularly there and there was a bit of a heartbreak. The relief when that last penalty went in at Rugby Park [in the quarter-final shootout] was overwhelming.

"It's something growing up you dream of. To lead the team out will be special.

"I've never played at Hampden. The last time I was there, it was probably a concert I was at, it would have been Coldplay. That's a bit of a hit and a miss, I might get a bit of a hard time, but it was a good night."

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Motherwell have a doubt over Stephen O'Donnell, who went off with a muscle problem against Dundee United on Wednesday, but Tawanda Maswanhise is expected to shake off the muscle fatigue that forced him off. Aston Oxborough (hand), Sam

Nicholson, Filip Stuparevic (both knee), Eseosa Sule, Jordan McGhee (both thigh) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain out.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson revealed Miguel Freckleton was a "big doubt" but fellow defenders Alex Gogic and Jayden Richardson will return from suspension.

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson says the Paisley club "laugh" at anyone who thinks they are are simply a physical side.

The Buddies are preparing for Saturday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final meeting with Motherwell, who have earned praise for their attractive style of play this season.

But Robinson insists there are many facets to St Mirren's game and much of it comes down to technical skill.

"We're a very good football team," he said. "As far as I'm aware, there's not any rules in football where you're not allowed to play people over 6ft.

"Our players that are over 6ft are really poor in the air and I wouldn't call them physical. It actually makes me laugh when I hear that.

"They're good footballers, very good technically. When you beat teams and cause problems as little St Mirren, there has to be a reason, you can't just be a good team. So we just laugh."

Robinson, who managed Motherwell for three years, led the Steelmen to the League Cup final in 2017, where they lost to Celtic after beating Rangers in the semi-final. He also took them to the Scottish Cup final in the same season.

The Fir Park club's current head coach, Jens Berthel Askou, has spoken about practising penalties in preparation for Hampden, but that's not a route Robinson has gone down with St Mirren, who have already succeeded in two shootouts on their path to the national stadium.

"No chance," said Robinson. "We haven't practised one penalty and we've scored 10 out of 10. So we won't be practising penalties.

"Nothing replicates the pressure you're under or the decision-making at the actual moment. It's something that on the day people feel confident about and we've shown we can do that and deal with the occasion.

"We've got a fantastic goalkeeper that will save a penalty if we do our job with the penalties.

"But hopefully it doesn't get that far."

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland

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St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before his side's League Cup semi-final against Motherwell on Saturday.

Here are the key lines:

• Robinson wants his team to treat the semi-final as a normal game and the players to do what they're good at.

• The manager says his side are confident and realise it's a great opportunity to get to a major final - but Motherwell will be thinking the same.

• St Mirren "laugh" at anyone who says they're just a physical side. Robinson says his team are very good footballers and a lot of his "6ft-plus" players are "poor in the air" and better technically.

• Unlike Motherwell, Robinson says there is ⁠⁠"no chance" St Mirren will be practising penalties. They've not done so yet and scored 10 out of 10 in shootouts in the previous two rounds.

• He adds it's all about being confident on the day and you can't replicate the pressure of taking penalties by practising, even with heart-rate raised.

• His squad have already defied the odds by becoming a top-six club and he wants them to "finish that off and do something memorable".

• Central defender Miguel Freckleton is an injury doubt for the semi-final. Robinson and his staff will make a call on him on Saturday.

Sportscene pundits Neil McCann and Jackie McNamara preview the Premier Sports Cup semi-final between Motherwell and St Mirren on Saturday.