St Mirren

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before St Mirren's trip to face Kilmarnock in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals on Friday night.

• Robinson wants to "reward" Saints fans by securing a spot at Hampden: "As I've said to the players, sometimes these opportunities come around once in a career. So you have to grab these opportunities. You have to go and be brave and play to your strengths. We want to progress in any way possible."

• He says reaching a semi-final can bring the whole town together and lift people's spirits.

• Robinson says winning semi-finals with Motherwell at Hampden against Rangers and Aberdeen were among the "best days of my career".

• St Mirren go to Rugby Park confident after beating Falkirk for a first Premiership win of the season, but will have be "at the top of their game" in a tough tie.

• Defender Marcus Fraser's ankle injury isn't as bad as first feared. He's had a scan and will miss Friday's game, while the full extent of the injury should be discovered today.

• Robinson believes the Buddies have made a "real find" in Jamaica defender and "top talent" Richard King, who has a good chance of playing in the World Cup next year after being signed for "buttons" in the summer.

• On Chris Sutton's criticism of his team's playing style: "I don't actually care. I'm fairly confident in what I do. You don't get 400 league games if you don't know what you're doing. Everyone's entitled to their opinion."

• Robinson agrees with Stuart Kettlewell on the controversial penalty awarded against Killie at the weekend for handball and says the rule is "a little bit confusing", adding: "We did get told that things like that probably wouldn't be penalties."

Image source, SNS

The draw for the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals will take place on Sunday after Partick Thistle v Celtic (15:30 BST) concludes.

The semis will be played on the weekend of 1-2 November with the final scheduled for Sunday, 14 December.

St Mirren's trip to Kilmarnock on Friday night (19:45) gets the quarter-finals under way before Aberdeen host Motherwell (15:00) on Saturday followed by Rangers v Hibs (17:45).

Image source, SNS

• St Mirren's solitary League Cup triumph came in 2013 when they beat Hearts 3-2 in the final.

• They have been runners-up twice and made seven semi-final appearances, with their last one coming in the 2020-21 campaign.

• St Mirren have faced upcoming quarter-final opponents Kilmarnock 18 times in the competition, winning eight.

• The Paisley club's biggest League Cup win was a 7-0 trouncing of Dumbarton in the second round in 2008.

• St Mirren have netted 21 goals in their five League Cup games so far this season with 11 different scorers. Killian Phillips leads the way with four, followed by Mikael Mandron on three.

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

Saturday's trip to Falkirk had the feeling of something big.

Pressure, I suppose, is always dialled up a little coming out of the howling normal fitba' vacuum that is international week.

Add to that the growing wait for a league victory this season, the quality of performances thus far for limited reward, and the renewal of top-flight competition with Falkirk for the first time in 15 years - the stage was very much set.

Philosophically, at least in the eyes of Chris Sutton and other pundits of equivalent attention to the other 10 teams in the Premiership, this felt like a clash of ideas. Good (honest, passing football) versus bad (boys who tackle quite hard and run about too much).

Falkirk's style is effective and has already earned them a win at Pittodrie, as well as plenty of podcast inches about "doing it the right way, uh huh". Similar to Motherwell's development under Jens Berthel Askou, it'll be fascinating to see how this plays out over a full top-flight season.

Stephen Robinson knows what plays out a top-flight season in Scotland. While I resent the accusation his St Mirren side are hammer-throwing anti-football anarchists and destroyers, I'm very comfortable in us using that reputation as the edge that often earns points against teams of lesser fortitude.

Saturday's rain-soaked battle at the foot (neck?) of the Kelpies unfolded as such. Falkirk played some impressively patient football while St Mirren took their time to have influence on proceedings, but, crucially, held their nerve defensively.

As the second half gathered pace and urgency, there was only one winner and it was the cannier, more urgent, harder-chasing and more resolute Saints who had enough.

Hopefully, for St Mirren's sake, this is an indication of what to expect over the next seven games of this first round of league fixtures.

Having had most of their top-table (and Rangers) tests early, Robinson's gritty and relentless Buddies should now pick up the points that their preparation and application levels deserve.

Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

St Mirren secured their first Premiership win of the season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Falkirk on Saturday.

Richard King came on for the injured Marcus Fraser, stepped forward impressively and was unlucky not to score with a drive well saved by Scott Bain.

Another Buddies defender also makes my team of the week. Declan John's deflected effort opened the scoring and he supplied the assist as Mikael Mandron made it two.

Watch all the highlights as St Mirren avoided a late scare to beat Falkirk 2-1 in the Scottish Premiership.

Image source, SNS

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson hopes to lead his team to Hampden after a promising start to the season.

The Paisley club moved into the top six of the Scottish Premiership with a 2-1 victory over Falkirk thanks to goals from Declan John and Mikael Mandron.

Robinson's side now prepare to face Kilmarnock in the League Cup quarter-finals on Friday and the boss is hoping they can continue their good form.

"It's a game we're looking forward to," Robinson said.

"We've started the season really brightly. And that would be the icing on the cake after the first block of games to be sitting in the top six and hopefully have a semi-final.

"But it's a tough task ahead. It's going to be similar [to the Falkirk game] on a sticky pitch. It's going to be a tough game. Killie are a big, big strong side with two big centre-forwards that cause real issues.

"We're going to have to deal with the physicality and then they've got good players as well. They can really hurt you."

We asked for your views on St Mirren's 2-1 victory over Falkirk on Stephen Robinson's 400th game as a manager.

Here's what some of you said...

John: A comfortable day at the office. 2-1 flattered the Bairns a little. Declan John and Alex Gogic excellent for the Buddies.

Douglas: Another solid but unspectacular performance from St Mirren, but then we have learned to expect this type of game from Stephen Robinson and again on his 400th game in management, they delivered the desired result. The introduction of Dan Nlundulu into the front line was encouraging and he fitted in well from the 60th minute. A hard worked three points, but probably just deserved and now on to the League Cup quarter final at Kilmarnock.

St Mirren held off a late rally from promoted Falkirk as Stephen Robinson's side grabbed their first Scottish Premiership win of the season on his 400th game as a manager.

Share your thoughts on the game.

Image source, SNS

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "The game was sticky at the start, both teams after the international break and days off, looked rusty.

"But we came out really well in the second half and dominated the game. But for the goalkeeper, Scott Bain has made two terrific saves from Killian Phillips and Richard King, it could and should have been more.

"Then we concede a goal we should never concede and gives Falkirk a little bit of hope. We had to defend, and did it well when we needed to.

"We can be better than today in terms of the quality we can show. But we said grind out the result whatever way, and we did."

Robinson says the injury to Marcus Fraser is a "concering one". The ever-present defender was forced off with an ankle injury just before the break.

Image source, SNS

Falkirk could include new signings Ethan Williams, Filip Lissah and Sam Hart for the first time.

But Kyrell Wilson, Aidan Nesbitt, Ethan Ross, Jamie Sneddon, Tom Lang, Finn Yeats, Coll Donaldson and Barney Stewart are all set to miss out.

Conor McMenamin (calf) and Liam Donnelly (Achilles) have both have returned to training but this weekend could be too soon for the St Mirren duo.

Fellow midfielder Killian Phillips and defender Richard King will be assessed following their international duties.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

St Mirren's Stephen Robinson says he "didn't even want to be a manager" and that he was not aware he is poised to take charge of his 400th game.

But the 50-year-old Northern Irishman takes it as "a compliment" that he will reach the milestone against Falkirk on Saturday.

"I didn't even want to be a manager," Robinson revealed to BBC Scotland. "I meant to just go to America and coach in the sunshine.

"I'm not sure how this ended up like this. Michael O'Neill is probably to blame for it, really. I ended up working with Michael with the junior international squads with Northern Ireland and then into the senior international squads."

Robinson's managerial journey started in 2017 with Oldham Athletic before he moved to Motherwell, where he had spent a previous spell as assistant.

He left the Fir Park club after three years and a short spell with Morecambe followed before he returned to Scotland with St Mirren in 2022.

It was while Robinson was Well's assistant that he started the same role under O'Neill with their national team.

"Obviously, from there, you get a bug for it," he said. "I didn't know I had that many games. I must still be enjoying it, if I'm not counting them and counting the hours down until I finish it.

"With the cut-throat nature of it, I suppose I'll take that as a compliment that I've managed to get the 400 games."

Robinson took players not involved with their national sides for a spot of team bonding during the domestic break.

"It's good sometimes just to get away from the constant pressure of football," he added.

"They're young boys as well. They're big kids really, so they like a little bit of fun. We enjoyed ourselves."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership visit to Falkirk on Saturday.

Here are the key points from his media conference:

• Robinson admits he was not aware it will be his 400th game as a manager but takes it as a compliment given the cut-throat nature of the business. He jokes that he "just wanted to coach in the sunshine in America".

• St Mirren used the international break to work on the training pitch but also gave those not away on national duty some time off. A good week during which the players had a "team bonding" padel day.

• Robinson says Falkirk's journey has been fantastic with a very good manager in John McGlynn. It is a club on the rise and it is fantastic to have them back in the top flight. Robinson sees similarities between the two clubs.

• Deadline-day signing Dan Nlundulu, who arrived from Bolton, is fit to play and Robinson sees "some really good attributes" from the forward who has "just lost his way a little bit".

• This weekend is probably too soon for Conor McMenamin and Liam Donnelly, although both have returned to training after injury. Fellow midfielder Lillian Philips and defender Richard King will be assessed following their international duties.

• Robinson says it has been a good start to the season for his side before a big game to start a key week, with St Mirren visiting Kilmarnock in the Premier Sports Cup on Friday.

Image source, SNS

Manager John McGlynn says St Mirren are "the benchmark" for Falkirk as he looks to establish the Bairns as a Premiership club.

St Mirren, who travel to the Falkirk Stadium on Saturday, are in their eighth consecutive Premiership campaign and have finished in the top half of the table for the past three years under Stephen Robinson.

"St Mirren are the benchmark as a football club for us," McGlynn said.

"They got promoted in 2017-18 and they've been in the league ever since.

"In that time they've been able to grow the football club, they've got a great youth system going. They've got their own training ground that's probably been built on a little bit over the years with more money, and that's exactly where we want to be.

"Obviously the manager has got top six the last three seasons and got them into Europe. If we can be in the Premiership seven years from now, then this football club will be in an amazing place, so they are the benchmark."

Looking ahead to Saturday's Premiership clash, McGlynn feels his squad are in a great place to challenge the Buddies.

Kyrell Wilson, who scored on his debut against Aberdeen last time out, misses the game with an ankle knock but Falkirk's four other recent signings are all in contention.

"We brought five players in in the last few days of the window, all players that were kind of pigeon-holed for exactly what we required," McGlynn added.

"Kyrell certainly hit the ground running and it was good to get Ethan [Williams], Sam [Hart] and big Trey [Ogunsuyi] in the door, and Filip [Lissah] looks a very good player.

"We got all the positions that we wanted, so the squad's really, really strong now."

Image source, SNS

• This will be the first top-flight clash between Falkirk and St Mirren since a 1-1 draw in May 2010; the Bairns are unbeaten in their past three games against the Buddies at this level (W1 D2).

• St Mirren have only lost one of their past five top-flight away games at Falkirk (W3 D1), a 2-1 defeat in April 2010.

• After their 1-0 victory over Aberdeen, Falkirk could win back-to-back top-flight matches without conceding for the first time since December 2007.

• St Mirren have drawn five of their past six league matches (L1), with three of those finishing 1-1. Overall, the Buddies have lost just one of their last 10 in the Scottish Premiership (W3 D6).

• St Mirren have scored just two goals in the Scottish Premiership this season, which is their fewest after four matches in the top flight since the 2019-20 season (also two).

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

There are only so many times I can wander aimlessly around my house in an international week, talking to the houseplants and asking the dog what he thinks about Steve Clarke's team selections, before I need to find some sort of St Mirren-based lightning rod for my attention.

The Saints currently have 12 players out on loan, making good use of the SFA's new cooperation system.

As all these loans have been to clubs further down the Scottish tier or across the Irish Sea, this leaves plenty to investigate in an otherwise barren St Mirren week. Or, so I thought.

The primary focus of the Buddies' loan traffic has been to cooperation clubs Dumbarton and Clydebank. Dumbarton, sitting middle of the deck in League Two after five fixtures, have taken Theo McCormick, Thomas Falconer and Carrick McAvoy. Meanwhile, Lowland League Clydebank, flying high in second place, are responsible for giving young centre-half Billy Hutchinson his first taste of senior football.

However, despite both the Sons and Bankies having weekend fixtures, all four cooperative loanees featured in St Mirren colours on Saturday.

The Saints' B side are outperforming the majority of their peers thus far in the new Challenge Cup league format, sitting above all but one of their fellow youth set-ups at the halfway point. This position was cemented on Saturday with a 2-2 draw at League Two Annan Athletic.

That side itself was weakened with the international call-ups of Evan Mooney (U19, alongside Queen of the South loanee Callum Penman), Luke Douglas and Ben Stoddart (U17) for Scotland.

Leading before looking to have fallen to a late home winner, the young Buddies rescued an injury-time point from the penalty spot - dispatched coolly by Struan Thompson, son of cup-winning local boy and BBC media darling Steven.

Highly-rated 18-year-old Lewis Hodgkiss, a recruit from the scuttled Accies academy system this summer, has had his midfield talents dispatched to Stirling Albion for at least half of the season.

However, he missed their Friday night defeat in Inverness to also feature in Annan for his parent club at the weekend. The same can also be said for Josh Farquhar, on loan in Cumbernauld though called through to Annan for cup duty.

Farquhar's loan buddy Lyle Hunter joined him in the move to Cumbernauld, but featured neither here nor there on Saturday.

Three Championship clubs have also borrowed St Mirren players, though Partick Thistle (Oisin Smyth) had the weekend off.

Instead, all Saints' eyes could have been on Dingwall where Ross County (James Scott) fell to defeat against Arbroath (Luke Kenny, though the young centre-half was missing from the line-up). Scott did make a late substitute appearance, though could only watch on as the Red Lichties captured the points at the death.

Patient goalkeeping understudy Peter Urminsky was loaned to Glentoran this summer to finally secure consistent senior football, though he has been left to ride the pine in Northern Ireland too.

As with all league fixtures so far, Urminsky was left on the bench for Saturday's win in Ballymena. A club debut in the County Antrim Shield last Tuesday is all available to celebrate thus far on the Slovakian's travels.

In the end then, for both positive and less positive reasons, 12 outward Paisley loan deals resulted in a sole James Scott substitute appearance during this international break.

Encouragement must be taken from the young Saints continuing to perform against expectations and B Team average in the Challenge Cup, though normal league duty for their respective loan destinations should hopefully bring further senior minutes in the weeks ahead.

Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

Image source, Getty Images

Dan Nlundulu says he will bring "strong hold-up play" and "goals" to St Mirren after joining the club on deadline day.

Nlundulu, 26, joined from Bolton Wanderers on a one-year deal after spending last season on loan at Cambridge United.

And he is determined to make an impact north of the border.

"I'm really excited to play in the SPFL," he said. "There are a lot of good teams here, so it's a new challenge for me and I'm looking forward to it.

"I think it's a great platform for me to come in and show what I can do. I'm just excited to get that opportunity and show the fans what I can do.

"I'm a powerful player with the ball, strong hold-up play and can score goals. That's what the gaffer brought me to do and I hope to do that."

Nlundulu says he will take a bit of time to get up to full match fitness.

"Fitness-wise, I'm feeling good," he said. "I've only got maybe two or three 90 minutes, so I think I need to get going a little bit fitness-wise and the gaffer has let me know that.

"I'm in good nick and I'm fit. That's the most important thing."

Image source, SNS

Hibs should have been awarded a penalty in last month's Premiership draw against St Mirren, the Scottish FA's key match incident panel have said.

The Easter Road side thought they were about to be awarded a spot-kick for handball in the closing stages of the match after Thibault Klidje's shot struck Jayden Richardson's arm, but referee Matthew MacDermid was told there was no foul play by the VAR.

"VAR has been brought in to improve the game, and today I don't think it's helped," head coach David Gray said after the incident.

Now, the three members of the SFA's panel - which reviews all major incidents from the Scottish Premiership - have unanimously ruled that the wrong decision was made.

"The panel unanimously agreed that the on-field decision was incorrect," the verdict said.

"The panel highlighted VAR was incorrect not to intervene to recommend an [on-field review] and a penalty should have been awarded for handball."

We asked for your views on St Mirren's transfer business this summer under Stephen Robinson.

Here's what some of you said:

Kev: Stephen Robinson has always been very shrewd in the past with signings and the return of Keanu Baccus, Killian Phillips' loan being made permanent were a very welcome boost in our prospects for the season, so I'm sure our faith in the manager spending wisely will continue with the welcome addition of Dan Nlundulu.

Andy: It will take a bit of time for all the players to get to know one another as with all the other clubs but the most pleasing thing is that they are all signed up on contracts.

Alistair: Having Baccus return to Paisley has to be the biggest surprise of this window. Along with Shamal George and Miguel Freckleton, class players who will thrive and enhance our side, this window has been a success.

Peter: We look strong enough to compete in the Premiership. The addition of a pacey striker was crucial, Nlundulu will take a fair bit of time to get up to speed I reckon, hope the lad proves me wrong.

David: I'm happy with our transfer dealings and feel that we are stronger in all areas.

JayDee: I think the inbound figure may be as high as 13. A few of these are full internationals. I have not seen anything like this before. I would say it was miraculous, but this is entirely down to our top-table dining status over the past three seasons.

Stuart: Until we get decent finishers well struggle to close out games. Routinely signing EFL journeymen isn't getting us anywhere. At least Fraser and Mooney are getting game time though

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

Three points from four games may seem to be a sparse harvest for St Mirren as we enter September, but the true picture is more encouraging than mere numbers suggest.

In their opening quartet, the Saints have faced each of last season's top three (two away from home) and this season's new-look, seemingly unbeatable Motherwell.

Battling to three draws, twice pegged back from winning positions, there is clear evidence of a side comfortable and competitive among top-six company.

In their sole defeat, falling to a late Luke McCowan strike at Celtic Park, the Buddies deserved more for their defensive efforts.

In September, league fixtures reflect the (expected) opposite end of the table in the shape of a visit to new boys Falkirk and hosting Dundee. Add to this schedule a quarter-final visit to Kilmarnock with a spot at Hampden up for grabs, and the season's picture surely will come into sharper focus.

If there is one area that has raised hypothetically concerned eyebrows, it is profligacy in front of goal.

In their glut against Annan, the Saints scored more than they have in their other eight cup and league fixtures combined. A combination of Jack Butland's outstretched glove, a little hesitancy and facing high-possession sides can take most of the blame, but all deadline day eyes in Paisley were on potential reinforcements in this area.

And, at the 11th hour, a surely sleepy-eyed head of media put out the white smoke the waiting crowds were demanding.

Dan Nlundulu, a graduate of the Southampton academy who rose to make 12 Premier League appearances for the second-best Saints in British football, signed off on a one-year deal to leave Bolton and head further north.

Described by Stephen Robinson as providing the pace and strength lost following the departure of Toyosi Olusanya, Nlundulu brings much-needed reinforcement and competition to the established pairing of Jonah Ayunga and Mikael Mandron.

In partnering Mandron, Nlundulu completes an unlikely pair of French-born forwards who have played all of their football in the UK. With next year's World Cup on the horizon, tout est possible...

Mark Jardine can be found on the Misery Hunters podcast., external

St Mirren signed Dan Nlundulu from Bolton Wanderers on a one-year deal, fulfilling manager Stephen Robinson's wish for a pacey striking option.

Some other highlights included Keanu Baccus rejoining the club and Killian Phillips' loan deal being made permanent as the Buddies welcomed 12 new faces in total.

St Mirren fans, are you pleased with the club's transfer business? Does it leave the squad in good shape for the season ahead - or is Stephen Robinson light in certain positions?

Let us know your thoughts.