St Mirren

Image source, SNS

St Mirren sold Toyosi Olusanya to Houston Dynamo this week and remain without Evan Mooney (ankle).

Ridvan Yilmaz is out for the rest of the season with an injury picked up in the Europa League defeat by Athletic Bilbao.

Leon Balogun has had an operation on his fractured cheekbone, Tom Lawrence is still out along with Dujon Sterling (Achilles) and Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee), while one or two others are doubts.

Image source, SNS

Beating Rangers three times in the same season for the first time in 45 years is a "great incentive" for St Mirren, says manager Stephen Robinson.

After a 2-1 loss at Ibrox in October, Robinson's side defeated Rangers 2-1 at home on Boxing Day then 2-0 in Govan in February.

Only once previously - the 1979-80 season - have St Mirren beaten the Ibrox side three times in a single league campaign.

Having secured a top-six spot, Robinson says the pressure is off his side in the five post-split games but he is determined to take Rangers' scalp again and finish "on a real high".

"It's 45 years since we last did that at this football club and that's a level of consistency that the players have produced," said Robinson.

"It's certainly an incentive. Our fans will want it as well, and we won't be turning up and thinking it's a holiday. That's not the way I work.

"We enjoyed our week and it was back to work on Monday again. Everyone was very clear that this is no holiday and everybody that will be involved is fully focused on winning again for St Mirren.

"The fact that we've got the opportunity to make it three wins in a row is a great incentive.

"We shouldn't beat Rangers at all - on paper, you shouldn't get anywhere near them. We'll have to be at our very best again.

"We'll have to do the simple things really well, but also, can we go and take the game to them? Can we go and press them really aggressively and high up the pitch and get the crowd right behind us?

"We really fancy ourselves at home. I believe we haven't always had the results at home we want.

"We're probably even better away from home this season. Whatever Rangers team you face home or away, you do face a very good side who have got very, very good individuals.

"It doesn't matter where you face them, you have to be on top of your game. We have the crowd behind us. It's not on TV, so we're expecting a big crowd. It's something that the fans can enjoy."

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before St Mirren face Rangers in the Premiership this weekend.

Here are the key points from the Buddies boss:

• Robinson says the pressure is off St Mirren having made the top six and he wants to end the season "on a real high".

• There is relief relegation is no longer a possibility for the Buddies: "If you look down at the bottom six, nobody's safe. That's real pressure. When you're down there, and I've been there, there's jobs on the line. The club loses millions of pounds."

• St Mirren are nine points adrift of fifth place but Robinson won't give up on European qualification until it's not "mathematically possible".

• The possibility of beating Rangers three times in one season for the first time in more than 40 years is a "tremendous incentive" and "says a lot about the consistency of the group".

• On Toyosi Olusanya's six-figure transfer to Houston Dynamo: "An incredible deal. I thought [vice-chairman] Jim [Gillespie] was winding me up when he told me, to be honest. And that's not based on Toyosi's ability. It's based on the fact that there's probably only three working weeks left of the season. So, a brilliant deal for everybody."

• Some of the money from the sale will go into improving the training ground, including building a recovery room and getting ice baths.

• A top-six finish doesn't "overly change" Robinson's budget for next season but allows him to bring in one or maybe two extra players.

Image source, SNS

• St Mirren have won their past two league meetings with Rangers, as many as their previous 47 beforehand (W2 D4 L41). Only in 1979-80 have the Buddies ever defeated the Gers three times in a single league campaign.

• After their 2-1 defeat on Boxing Day 2024, Rangers could lose back-to-back league visits to St Mirren for the first time since April 1986.

• St Mirren have won their past two home league games, scoring eight goals in the process – one more than they had netted in their previous nine beforehand (seven).

• Rangers have lost 13 matches in all competitions this season, last losing more in a single campaign in 1985-86 (17).

• After only scoring once in his first 59 Scottish Premiership appearances for St Mirren, Caolan Boyd-Munce has netted four in his past four league games, including three in his last two at the SMISA Stadium.

Image source, SNS

Manager Stephen Robinson has paid tribute to "terrific" Toyosi Olusanya after the striker left St Mirren to join MLS side Houston Dynamo for an undisclosed six-figure fee.

The 27-year-old, who was due to be out of contract in Paisley this summer, scored 19 goals in 85 appearances for the Buddies following his arrival from Middlesbrough in summer 2022.

After a spell on loan at Arbroath, Olusanya became a key player and helped St Mirren to successive top-six finishes.

"Toyosi has deserved his move," said Robinson.

"It's something that has come out of the blue, but it's a fantastic opportunity for him.

"He's conducted himself so well since he's come to the club and proved what a good player and signing he's been. He deserves every success going forward.

"For the club to secure a six-figure fee with such a short time remaining on his contract is terrific business. It's credit to the football club and he leaves with our best wishes."

Image source, SNS

Conor McMenamin is relaxed about his St Mirren future amid "ongoing" talks about a contract extension.

The 29-year-old Northern Ireland midfielder's deal expires this summer but includes the option for the club to extend his stay by a year.

McMenamin, who returned from a four-month injury lay-off in the win over Ross County last time out, said: "Now that I'm back on the pitch, hopefully something can be done. The manager has spoken to me and talks are ongoing at the minute.

"The club and my representatives are speaking at the minute about the clause and about activating and seeing what's best going forward, so I'm hopeful as we speak that I'll be here next year.

"I like it here. I'm settled here. Obviously, it's not in my hands. I've been out injured a long time, but I think obviously this year when I've come back and played a couple of games [earlier in the season], I felt like I'd benefited from it and done well for the team.

"I'm just hoping I can get another run here in the next five games and obviously if I stay here next year, just be injury-free and really help the boys kick on and try and get top six again next year if that's the case.

"But listen, it's out of my hands and I'm not really worried about it, to be honest. If it's meant to be, it'll be and if not, then we can move on."

McMenamin is also keen to get back into the Northern Ireland squad this summer after winning nine caps since his debut in 2022.

"I love going away with Northern Ireland," he said. "Obviously, I've missed nearly a year since I last played for Northern Ireland.

"It's obviously been a drive of mine to get back playing for St Mirren, and I know if I do well here that I can get back playing for Northern Ireland."

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

The definition of Toyosi Time: In a St Mirren shirt, the undeniable impact - be that in stoppage time or simply when most needed - of Toyosi Olusanya.

Examples of Toyosi Time in use:

• When St Mirren have held Brann to a single-goal deficit at home, in the club's largest European tie for more than three decades, and the ball is rolled into the six-yard box in search of a late, late equaliser - this is Toyosi Time.

• When St Mirren have been losing to Aberdeen in Paisley for a full afternoon, equalise late from the penalty spot and then break once again in search of a near-impossible 97th-minute winner - this is Toyosi Time.

• When St Mirren begin a campaign with their customary League Cup toil, held by Cowdenbeath deep into injury time and with reputation on the line - this is Toyosi Time.

• When you're winning at Ibrox against all the odds, where one goal feels like it might not be enough, and a ball is played long behind the Rangers backline - this is Toyosi Time.

Three years after arriving in Paisley, it seems like Toyosi Olusanya's watch has ended in Scotland. Shortly, it is expected that the likeable Londoner will be announced as an MLS import and join Houston Dynamo.

Clubs like St Mirren have many redemption tales to pull on, unlikely heroes to celebrate and remember with fondness and drastic improvements to credit to players and their managers alike.

I don't know that any of these tales will ever come close to that of Olusanya in black and white stripes.

A late bloomer in professional football terms, Olusanya skipped academy football and was spotted by AFC Wimbledon at 18.

Prior to Stephen Robinson taking a chance on developing a gem, the pacy forward had never reached double figures in season appearances for a single club. Indeed, he had only played four senior games at Football League level.

Initial cameos for the Buddies did not look likely to unsettle first teamers, and a loan to Arbroath offered limited evidence to dispute that.

Then, it happened. A penny dropped, a chance was offered and taken, and Olusanya delivered two years of high endeavour, loving connection with an adoring fanbase, and a collection of important, late goals most of us can only dream about.

Often, at St Mirren's level, the role of a manager and scouting set-up is to identify the raw potential that others have overlooked - and then to coax that out of the player concerned.

The role of the player in this equation is to work hard, give their best and contribute when it matters most.

In so, so many ways and by all concerned - mission accomplished.

You can find Mark at Misery Hunters, external

Richard Winton
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Three of Hibernian, Dundee United, Aberdeen and St Mirren will join Celtic and Rangers in Europe next season after Brendan Rodgers' treble-chasing side reached the Scottish Cup final.

Had bottom-six sides St Johnstone or Hearts progressed through the last-four stage, they could still have claimed the European place awarded to the cup winners.

But that is no longer a possibility, which adds another layer of intrigue to the post-split fixtures in the top half of the division.

So what do we know?

Well, Celtic have secured a place in the Champions League qualifiers and will enter at the play-off round assuming they clinch the title.

Rangers will almost certainly be in that competition, too, but at the second qualifying round stage.

After that, there remains a wee bit of uncertainty.

The Scottish Cup winners earn a spot in the Europa League play-off round, so if Aberdeen upset Celtic at Hampden on 24 May, that's straightforward.

However, should the holders retain the trophy, the place would go to whoever finishes third in the league.

Currently, that's Hibs. But United and Aberdeen and St Mirren - albeit the arithmetic is hugely against them - are still in the mix.

Given whoever it is would be guaranteed - at worst - a six-game Conference League campaign, it's a lucrative prize for their season's work.

But two of the clubs who miss out on third would still be rewarded.

Fourth place would be upgraded from Conference League second qualifying round to the Europa League equivalent, with the Conference spot going to fifth place.

Read more: Premiership quartet fight for three European spots

St Mirren chief executive Keith Lasley says being an ex-player helped when it came to sacking Adam Rooney, Kevin van Veen and Jaden Brown earlier this season, explaining that he had to consider the whole dressing room. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, BBC Sport

Manager Stephen Robinson insists he is "very happy" at St Mirren, while he harbours ambitions of taking on the Northern Ireland job in the future, saying it would be "the ultimate honour". (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

I don't think Stephen Robinson will win Scottish football's manager of the year – but maybe he should and I'll tell you why.

A top-six finish alone probably wouldn't be enough, nor would a third consecutive place in the top half. Both remarkable achievements given the size of the club.

However, his predecessor in Paisley, Jim Goodwin, is closing in on European qualification in Dundee United's first season back in the top division, David Gray is transforming Hibs from bottomof the table to potential podium finishers and Brendan Rodgers is chasing another treble.

Any one of that trio could pip Robinson to the post.

Then again Falkirk's John McGlynn will most likely trump the lot of them as the Bairns look set to earn back-to-back promotions.

Yet as far as I'm aware, none of those distinguished gentlemen have had as many outrageous fortunes slings and arrows fired at them than the Northern Irishman this season.

You want a list? Okay, here goes:

• Three new signings - Shaun Rooney, Jaden Brown and striker Kevin van Veen - all leaving the club in the autumn amid separate court cases.

• Assistant manager Diarmuid O'Carroll leaving in September to take a job at Newcastle United.

• Issues with the training centre forcing the club to find temporary facilities for a spell.

• The strain on resources on and off the pitch because of the Europa Conference League qualifying trips to Iceland and Norway.

• Oh, and what about topping the league for the number of refereeing decisions going against them.

A perfect storm of circumstances that could have made it an annus horribilis, as the late Queen might have termed it.

But no, under Robinson it's been another annus mirabilis and amid the maelstrom he even signed up for another couple of seasons at the SMISA.

Indefatigable is one word to describe him – but have I done enough to convince you of his credentials for MOTY?

Houston Dynamo are closing in on a deal to sign St Mirren striker Toyosi Olusanya, with the MLS side agreeing a "significant six-figure fee" for the 27-year-old who is out of contract in the summer. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, SNS

Watch as the Sportscene team heap praise on St Mirren and manager Stephen Robinson for achieving a third straight top-six finish.

Available in UK only

Andrew Christie
Fan writer

So it happened. With Roland Idowu's late rocket and a goalless draw between Motherwell and Hearts at Fir Park, St Mirren's 3-2 win over Ross County secured a historic third consecutive top-six league finish. Cue wild celebrations at the SMISA Stadium.

The social media response was predictable: comments about "over celebrating" a mere top-six finish. But context matters in football more than any other sport.

For St Mirren, this isn't just another season. It's the culmination of years of steady building, careful investment, and Stephen Robinson's tactical nous overcoming financial limitations. When he took over and lost eight of his first nine matches, who would have predicted this trajectory? Robinson himself called this his "biggest achievement" - above cup finals and European qualification elsewhere.

Only ourselves, Celtic, and Rangers have managed top-six finishes in each of the last three seasons. Robinson has built something special in Paisley.

What makes an achievement worth celebrating isn't some universal standard. What matters is the journey, context and odds overcome. For a club that starts each season with survival as the primary objective, establishing ourselves as consistent top-six performers is extraordinary.

Speaking of Hearts, it's worth reflecting on how they missed out. In a game where both they and Motherwell had everything to play for - a win for either would have secured that coveted sixth place - we witnessed a spectacle that lacked urgency and conviction as the sides went out with a goalless whimper.

Robinson deserves immense credit. Working with a backroom staff that squeezes every drop from limited resources, he's created a team greater than the sum of its parts. As he said: "Nothing has gone our way this season - we've had to fight for everything."

Our financial resources are a fraction of what most of Premiership clubs enjoy, and our issues both on and off the field well documented. Yet here we are, consistently outperforming teams with significantly deeper pockets, demonstrating a level of stability that many better-funded clubs can only dream of achieving.

Every year St Mirren's first objective is to stay in the league. The fact we've not only done that but established ourselves as a genuine top-six club is remarkable - especially with a thin squad, missing key players, and being at the top of the SFA referee apology table.

If you can't celebrate that, what can you celebrate? Football is emotion, community, shared experiences. The day fans stop celebrating achievements - whatever those might be in their club's context - is the day the soul leaves the sport.

What's most amusing is that we're actually pretty decent against supposedly superior teams. This season alone, we've taken 19 of our 41 points from fellow top-six sides. Seven from Hibs, six from Rangers and six from Aberdeen.

For a club punching above its weight, we seem quite comfortable trading blows with the big boys.

Andrew Christie can be found on the Misery Hunters podcast., external

• St Mirren v Rangers - Saturday, 26 April 2025

• St Mirren v Aberdeen - Saturday. 3 May 2025

• Dundee Utd v St Mirren - Saturday, 10 May 2025

• St Mirren v Hibernian - Wednesday, 14 May 2025

• Celtic v St Mirren - Saturday, 17 May 2025

Image source, SNS

Jonah Ayunga: Played his part again for St Mirren on a memorable afternoon in Paisley with a goal and an assist against Ross County.

Caolan Boyd-Munce: An assist and a goal. Consistently impressive in the St Mirren success story.

Image source, SNS

Jonah Ayunga has signed a new one-year contract with St Mirren, which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2026.

The Kenyan international's future was up in the air, with his current deal set to expire at the end of this season.

But he has committed to another year in Paisley following Stephen Robinson's side securing another top-six finish.

Ayunga scored his 11th goal for the Buddies in 71 appearances in Saturday's 3-2 win over Ross County, a victory that secured a third-successive spot in the table's top half.

"We're really pleased to get Jonah signed up for another year," said manager Robinson.

"He's had to battle back from a tough cruciate knee injury and we're starting to see all the attributes we know he has.

"We're delighted he'll be part of the group again next season."

Watch the pick of the action from Paisley as St Mirren beat Ross County 3-2 to claim the final top-six spot. (Available to UK users only)