St Mirren

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Stephen Robinson addressed the media prior to St Mirren's Conference League qualifier second leg against Valur on Thursday.

Here are the key points from the manager:

• Robinson stressed the importance of "embracing and enjoying, rather than fearing" the occasion as the players have "earned the right to do so".

• He added there is "no point downplaying" European football's return to Paisley as "it's been nearly 40 years in the making".

• The St Mirren manager pleaded for "patience" from their "fantastic fans" on Thursday: "We won't win the game in the first five minutes".

• He said he is "always looking" for new players and a win on Thursday "would help that and be important for finances".

• Robinson joked his players won't be in Paisley on Wednesday to soak up the atmosphere as they would "get drunk and miss the game".

• He confirmed Shaun Rooney will be available but Mikael Mandron will have a late fitness test.

• And while Caolan Boyd-Munce's injury is not as bad as initially feared, he will miss Thursday.

Jamie Cockburn
Fan writer

Last season, eh? That was something. Stephen Robinson has given himself a tough task to try and repeat that.

For years, anything outside of a relegation battle would be seen as a success, but what does Robbo do after back-to-back top-six finishes and European qualification for the first time in 37 years.

It is very hard to predict what will happen this season. A lot of teams around us have strengthened, but so have we. I feel we have upgraded each position despite some key players moving on.

Ryan Strain was obviously a standout player for the Buddies, who could turn defence into attack at the flick of a switch, but fitness was a big issue for the Aussie international who only managed to play 17 league games last season, and very rarely lasted the 90 minutes.

Shaun Rooney is experienced and reliable, and the fact he will most likely play 90 minutes week-in, week-out, makes him an upgrade.

Zach Hemming also had a massive part to play last season between the sticks but Ellery Balcombe seems to be on a different level from what we have seen so far.

Keanu Baccus not being in Saints' midfield always seemed to make it weaker, but the additions of Oisin Smyth, Dennis Adeniran and Roland Idowu (already a fans favourite after two goals against Morton) will have us forgetting about Baccus this season.

So, what is a successful season for Saints this season? Registering a win against Derek McInnes will be enough for me.

• Predicted league finish: Sixth

• Standout player: Toyosi Olusanya

• Game most looking forward to: Hibs, first game of the season. Football is back baby.

Jamie Cockburn can be found on the Misery Hunters podcast., external

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Shaun Rooney has hailed the "amazing" impact manager Stephen Robinson has had on him since joining St Mirren.

The right-back also revealed the Northern Irishman tried to bring him to Paisley before he left St Johnstone to join Fleetwood, then managed by Scott Brown.

Although the defender "pied" Robinson to work under Brown - a "hero" of Rooney's - the St Mirren boss made sure he was first in line when the 28-year-old decided to move back up north.

"[Robinson] was the first person to come in for me when I came back up, so I jumped at it," Rooney told Sky Sports, external.

"They're a team that works hard and he's been amazing to work for so far. It's only been good vibes."

Goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe says St Mirren will heap pressure on Icelandic visitors Valur on Thursday, when the sides contest the second leg of their Conference League second qualifying tie in Paisley, and the score still 0-0. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

We asked you for your views following St Mirren's draw up in Iceland against Valur.

Here's what you had to say:

Douglas: I thought the Saints played very well, up to their opponents box... then the wheels came off. At least they created chances which is a plus but I'm afraid Mandron will not do. Slow, can't jump and gives up possession too easily. Should go through tie on Thursday nevertheless.

Paul: Great performance last night. Very proud of all of them. We'll thrash them in Paisley. A wee bit disappointed by Toyosi and Mika as performances like them will only add to the boo boys' ammunition. Mika was top scorer last year and Toyosi is a project coming good at the right time but to some loud voices they'll never be good enough.

Douglas: A very open game at times, perhaps too open, but I hope we don't rue our missed chances. We allowed them too much space down the left hand side and they used it effectively, but the defence overall was pretty good. For a first competitive game of the season, definite pass marks, but we have to sharpen up in front of goal.

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A large number of St Mirren fans are in "totally uncharted territory" as they watch their side in Europe for the first time, says Misery Hunters podcaster Andrew Christie.

The Buddies drew 0-0 with Valur in Iceland as they embarked on their first European adventure in 37 years, and Christie doesn't want his side to just make up the numbers.

"It's totally uncharted territory for such a big portion of the fans," he explained on the Scottish Football Podcast.

"It's been great listening to all the stories in the past few weeks from the old guard of what was like following St Mirren in Europe in the 80s when it was almost a given that European football was just something that St Mirren do.

"But for a generation of fans, it's a new thing and it's something that - although teams like us are very happy to be there - we don't want to just make up the numbers."

Just like fellow Scottish side Kilmarnock, St Mirren might consider themselves unfortunate to not go into the second leg of their European tie ahead.

"I'm quietly confident about our chances in the second leg based on the performance last night," Christie added. "I think we'll sharpen up up top, we'll of tighten up at the back and improve any bits of decision making. That end product will come.

"A good position with a score of 0-0, a week to prepare for the second leg and what will be a sold out St Mirren Park and, we could get used to this whole European football thing. The atmosphere will be incredible."

• You can listen to the entire episode of the Scottish Football Podcast on BBC Sounds or by clicking here.

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

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A tale of two teams missing chances, and a lot of them. St Mirren will be kicking themselves that they didn't score at least once.

Scottish teams in Europe often default to playing a lone striker, but Stephen Robinson opted to stick with his trusted two up front.

The Valur defence really struggled to deal with the pace, power and presence of Toyosi Olusanya and Mikael Mandron, whose tireless work created them chances all night.

Unfortunately for them, their finishing really let them down. Perhaps their evening was summed up best by a big chance missed in the 34th minute.

Olusanya opted to dummy Jaden Brown's low cross at the front post, presumably because he heard a shout from Mandron.

Inexplicably, Mandron also missed the ball at the back post as it ran behind for a goal kick.

They'll need to be sharper in front of goal in the second leg if they are to advance to the next round.

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

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What an introduction for goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe.

For all the chances that St Mirren missed, they gave up quite a few at the other end too.

Had it not been for the fine work of the Brentford loanee then Stephen Robinson’s side would be heading back to Paisley behind in the tie.

His first big stop came inside the first minute and he didn’t really get a break from that moment onwards.

The pick of his saves came in the second half when he kept out a close-range header from Tryggvi Hararldsson at full stretch.

The 24-year-old hasn't played much senior football in his career, but if that performance is anything to go by then St Mirren have found themselves a gem.

Were you in Iceland or following the match from home?

Either way, we want your views on wasteful St Mirren's first-leg draw with Valur - have your say here, external.

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "It was our first game in Europe in a long, long time and the boys did the club proud.

"We wanted to be in the tie going back to Paisley and we are certainly right in it.

"It's our first real game of the season and their chances came from our slack passing, just tired minds, while I thought our chances came from really good play.

We should have scored, but we didn't. The boys are getting into the right positions, so it's hard to be critical.

"Overall, I'm pleased. You won't see many more exciting 0-0 draws. If it was 7-3, I don't think anyone could have complained."

Robinson also confirmed midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce was brought off after rolling his ankle.

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Valur: Schram, Gunnarsson, Palsson, Helgason, Larusson, G. Sigurdsson, Antonsson, K. Sigurdsson, Haraldsson, Pederson, Jonsson

Substitutes: Agustsson, Kirstinsson, B. Saevarsson, Johannsson, Tryggvason, Eyjolfsson, Unnarsson, Heimisson, O. Omarsson, Stephensen, Finsen

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Taylor, Gogic, Bwomono, Brown, Smyth, O'Hara, Boyd-Munce, Mandron, Olusanya

Substitutes: Urmingsky, Kelly, Tanser, Ayunga, Idowu, Scott, Adeniran, Jamieson, Kenny, Taylor, Mooney, Sutherland

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Mirren's Europa Conference League tie against Valur is the culmination of everyone at the club's hard work, says chief operating officer Keith Lasley.

The second qualifying round first leg in Iceland will be the Paisley side's first European tie since 1987.

"I think excitement, I think that's the obvious word to use," Lasley told BBC Scotland.

"It's been a long time coming but a lot of hard work last year for the club, for the playing staff, the players and everybody at the club and obviously this is the culmination of that hard work, so we hope it's not just this game, we want to try and progress."

Despite a limited allocation, Lasley reckons the St Mirren faithful have travelled in good numbers to the Icelandic capital.

"A couple of hundred tickets and you see from the stadium itself, it's not the biggest obviously, so it was a challenge, tickets, because there was a lot of demand as you can imagine, given the time scale of the last time the club was involved," he added.

"So the appetite's been there. There's some lucky ones that have managed to get tickets and I think there's some travelled as well that maybe don't have tickets.

"But, listen, there's just a real enthusiasm around about the club and Paisley and I think there is a real buzz. We expect to be a really strong and vocal travelling contingent and I'm sure they'll back the players to the hilt."

Mark Atkinson, sports editor for The Scotsman, reckons St Mirren must be wary of facing a side who already have plenty of competitive football under their belt this season.

"I think the difficulty for St Mirren tonight will be that they're coming up against a team that's 14 games into their current season," he said.

"That's always a difficulty for Scottish clubs in these draws when you come up against Scandinavian opposition that they have the match fitness.

"If you look at the two squads on paper and you look at the competitiveness of the Icelandic league, you would expect the Scottish team to come through.

"Valur have got one standout name in Gilffy Sigurdsson, a former Iceland internationalist, who played in the Premier League in England for Swansea and notably Everton. So obviously some stardust in that midfield.

"So they're up against a decent team. There's no question about that. But St Mirren under Stephen Robinson have been a decent team themselves.

"They played some really good football over the past two seasons and deservedly got the European place in the last campaign.

"And they'll go there with the confidence of keeping the tie alive and bringing back to Paisley next week. That's got to be the ambition."

You can listen to the latest edition of the Scottish Football Podcast by clicking here.

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The draw for the last 16 of the Scottish League Cup will take place on Sunday.

It will be broadcast live on Premier Sports following their coverage of Motherwell v Partick Thistle at Fir Park, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.

The top-flight's five European representatives - holders Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren - will enter the draw and will also be seeded, along with the three best group winners.

All last-16 ties are scheduled to played on the weekend of 17/18 August.

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St Mirren are aiming to scribe a new chapter in their "big storyline" of "proving people wrong" in their upcoming European journey, says captain Mark O'Hara.

The Paisley side travel to Iceland to face Valur on Thursday in the first leg of their Conference League second-round qualifier.

O'Hara says the squad are "under no illusions" about how tough a test they face, but the midfielder says the team are also "relishing the opportunity".

"From outside of these doors a lot of people probably doubt," the Buddies captain added.

"But a big storyline since I've come through the doors here is that we love proving people wrong. It’s a real chance for us to put ourselves on the map as a team.

"The excitement of the fans, staff, everyone about the club, this is where we want to be."

O'Hara has regrets about his previous experience in Europe. Recalling his time at Motherwell, he felt the squad lacked belief they could get a result abroad.

Buddies boss Stephen Robinson was the 28-year-old's manager at Fir Park then, but this time O'Hara says "it's been drilled into us that we can’t have any regrets".

"We need to be confident in ourselves," he adds. "We will have a game plan and a structure that the staff believe will work and we trust each other."

Mark O'Hara insists St Mirren want a run in the Europa League, not just one tie, as they prepare to meet Valur in the second qualifying round. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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St Mirren fans deserve "to milk" their upcoming European occasions after "battling through hard times," says manager Stephen Robinson.

The Paisley club have suffered relegations, as well as financial difficulty, during recent times but are now set for their first taste of continental football in 37 years.

The Buddies travel to Iceland to face Valur on Thursday in the second round of Conference League qualifying.

And Robinson is determined to make sure his side avoid adding to a list of early Scottish exits in Europe.

"For the fans it's fantastic, rightly so they're excited, we've waited a long time for this," the St Mirren boss says.

"We're aware we have to be in the game in the second leg to get the Paisley crowd behind us. It's a huge chance [for the club] to put themselves on the map.

"When you've battled through hard times, relegations and financial troubles, when you get these moments you have to milk it and enjoy it."

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Brann: Eirik Horneland's side were runners-up in Norway last season and currently sit second, six points behind Bodo/Glimt. Their squad includes Norway forward Bard Finne and former Manchester City youth goalkeeper Eirik Johansen.

Lost to AZ Alkmaar after a penalty shoot-out in the Conference League play-off round last year.

Go Ahead Eagles: Were ninth in the Eredivisie last season. Paul Simonis' squad has a mixture of Dutch players and foreign imports and includes former Liverpool youth and Lazio forward Bobby Adekanye.

This is their first European venture since losing in the Europa League first round to Ferencvaros in 2015.

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media prior to his side's trip to Iceland to face Valur in Conference League qualifying.

Here are the key lines:

• Robinson says Thursday's trip is "fantastic" for the fans but adds that "it's a shame we will only have a certain amount with us".

• He feels the European fixtures are "a huge chance" for St Mirren "to put themselves on the map".

• Robinson will be using "no excuses" in relation to travel, weather and Valur being midway through their season.

• When asked about early exits for Scottish sides in Europe, he says "we have to make sure we're not one of those".

• Robinson says the fans have every right "to milk it" after "battling through bad times".

• He believes "there will be no surprises" from Valur but St Mirren will "face a real challenge".

• If St Mirren progress, Robinson says he will "certainly be asking for more" to be added to his transfer budget.

• The Buddies boss hopes Greg Kiltie and Conor McMenamin will return after the first international break of the season.