St Mirren

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson would like to see the Scottish Premiership extended given how tight the table has become.

There are only five points between Motherwell in sixth and Ross County in 11th. St Mirren are joint on points with Hearts in seventh even though the Edinburgh club are unbeaten in six while the Buddies have lost five of six.

"It could be a referee's decision, it could be a player's mistake or a bit of brilliance that beats you," Robinson said.

"There's not a lot between any of the teams. It keeps the pressure on. It keeps the excitement for fans.

"It also, for me, doesn't make the product as good as it could be because you play under so much pressure.

"At one or two or three games, you're looking over your shoulder. At one or two or three games, you're in the top six. So there's no room to develop at times for the smaller clubs.

"For me, it would have to be a bigger league. It's better for the fans, you get to see different places, you get to see different teams. It adds a bit of variety to it. And, you know, every game isn't a do or die, which it is at this stage.

"It's a real knife edge at the moment where a couple of wins can put you up into the top four and a couple of losses could have you in trouble looking over your shoulder."

The Buddies take a break from league action to host Premiership rivals Hearts in the Scottish Cup fifth round on Monday night, live on BBC Scotland.

"We've actually been better on the road this season, but we've got a home tie. It'll be a full house. It's something we want to embrace," added Robinson.

"Hearts have spent a lot of money to put a really, really good squad together. They've got a very good manager I have a lot of time for. Starting to put a stamp on Hearts as well now, so we have to be at our very best."

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has been speaking to BBC Scotland before the Scottish Cup fifth-round tie against Hearts on Monday.

Here are the main points:

• Robinson admits this season has been incredibly challenging, particularly with the demands of European football, but insists they have had to "get used to the whole thing again".

• He admits it was difficult to deal with the off-field issues that saw three players depart the club, but can't fault the players still there for their attitude and resilience during a tough time.

• On signing a new contract in October that runs until summer 2027, the St Mirren boss "puts it all down to the players", adding "they deserve every bit of credit they get".

• Robinson says his squad have "changed the perception" of what the Buddies can achieve in a season from simply surviving to being expected to compete with much bigger teams.

• He believes the league "is on a real knife edge" and although exciting, "it doesn't make the product as good as it could be because you play under so much pressure".

• Robinson favours a bigger league in order to give more teams more of a chance and also give younger players more opportunity.

• On the club's transfer business, Robinson is "very happy" with the players that have been brought in.

• On VAR, the St Mirren boss doesn't think it's reduced the amount of "mistakes" in games and stresses the need for full-time referees.

• "All you ask for in a cup game is a home tie" and Robinson is expecting a full house in Paisley on Monday night when they will have to be at their "very best".

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has called for Scottish officials to become full-time because they "need all the help they can get" to make correct decisions.

The Paisley club this week cited "an accumulation of errors" against them as they sought clarity from the Scottish FA referee's department over the failure to award a penalty for a challenge on Elvis Bwomono in last Saturday's defeat by St Johnstone.

Robinson, whose side host Hearts in the Scottish Cup fifth round on Monday night - live on BBC Scotland - said: "Referees need help. Everybody needs help. We're human. Everybody makes mistakes. That has always been the case in football.

"VAR is meant to help those mistakes but, first and foremost, we need full-time referees.

"We're trying to help these guys. And I think they need all the help they can get in terms of getting the correct decisions, because they're so big and the game's so quick now.

"We want help for referees, they do the very, very best with what they can, and making them full-time, giving them more help with VAR, putting more money into that area is a no-brainer for me.

"In the current format, everybody wants it improved. Every club's had decisions go for them, go against them.

"We just have to have that consistency, especially with VAR. You're never going to change referees making mistakes.

"The game's so quick as such, split-second decisions, but that back-up decision has to be better.

"How do you do that? People doing that on a full-time basis, exposing themselves to decisions every minute of every day in referee training."

We asked for your views on St Mirren's January transfer business.

Here are some of your comments:

Craig: Crying out for a striker, especially given Toyosi Olusanya's contract issue. I think we should have cashed in if he's not for renewing with us. A winger would have been nice also, and happy to get Zach Hemming back as Ellery Balcombe had became a bit of a liability.

Douglas: Hardly overwhelmed, as recent form has shown that the lack of a playmaker who can see a pass and execute it properly is an aspect missing from our tight squad. Hemming's a better goalkeeper than Balcombe, but the lack of a creative spark worries me.

William: Pleased to have Hemming return to us but disappointing that Lewis Jamieson and Kieran Offord departed. Another year at least and they would have been highly sellable but been around to strengthen the squad. I hope we can allow Evan Mooney to stay with us and develop into the mature player he will be. It will be very important to support Stephen Robinson.

Anon: Mixed. Spent huge money on one untried 21-year-old and brought in another journeyman while not promoting from the ranks. What's the point in producing talent and then selling it for tuppence?

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

This morning I lost my specs. Not ideal when you're getting ready to host the Scottish football podcast and can't read the producer's instructions.

I hunted high and low for them, while trying not to wake anyone else in the house. It was 5.30am after all.

In the course of my search I found £1.60 down the side of an armchair. As I pocketed the coins, I thought, 'That's a bit like St Mirren's season.'

You lose four games on the spin then find a way to win away to Aberdeen. Or you lose four in a row then find yourselves on a four-match unbeaten run.

You just never know what's going to turn up. Unfortunately you can't find consistency down the side of the sofa.

It's been an erratic season, full of highs: European football, beating Rangers, and winning away to Aberdeen and Hibs, and lows: Three court cases and three players leaving the club, missing a heap of penalty kicks, being on the end of some 'controversial' refereeing decisions and losing at home to St Johnstone, Motherwell, Dundee and Dundee United (twice).

On one hand you could say if the penalties had been scored and a few decisions had been more benign, St Mirren would be comfortably in the top six.

On the other you could say, if the Buddies could find a way to break down obdurate defences at home and convert more chances they'd be much further up the table.

But, like my glasses, a wee bit of creativity has been missing in those games.

On paper Monday night's Scottish Cup tie against in-form Hearts looks a tough one, but maybe the rejuvenated Jambos with their attack-minded style will suit St Mirren, who with the pace of Toyosi Olusanya seem to thrive on the counter. We'll see. You kind of have to expect the unexpected with St Mirren this season.

So I'm predicting a winner from the penalty spot after a 'soft' award and subsequent VAR recommended on-field review. Stranger things have happened this season.

PS. Yes, I eventually found my specs.

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Ryan Alebiosu is keen and ready to repay Stephen Robinson's faith in him as the manager finally captured his signature at St Mirren.

The defender has long caught the eye of Robinson and such interest from his boss fuels the 23-year-old's confidence.

"The gaffer has been keeping an eye on me for a while and has tried to get me in in the past," Alebiosu said after agreeing a loan move from Belgian Pro League side K.V. Kortrijk on deadline day.

"It obviously didn't work out previously, but knowing he wants me here really gives me confidence. I want to give my all for him and show what I can do.

"There is a good bunch of players, good lads and a good environment. I can't wait to get started."

Alebiosu is no stranger to Scottish football, having spent time at Kilmarnock in 2022-23, but he assures he's better prepared for the physicality of the game this time around.

"Scottish football is more physical and that's what I experienced before when I was younger at Kilmarnock," he told club media.

"I've had more experience since then so I just can't wait to kick on and get myself ready."

With the transfer window now closed, how do you feel about St Mirren's January business?

The Buddies secured a loan deal for Kortrijk defender Ryan Alebiosu on deadline day, adding to the arrival of strirker Owen Oseni and loan goalkeeper Zach Hemming.

Experienced defender Charles Dunne departed and forwards Lewis Jamieson and Kieran Offord were sold while goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe's loan has ended.

So, are Saints in good shape for the pursuit of a top-six finish or have they left themselves short?

Have your say on St Mirren's transfer business., external

Craig Devine
Fan writer

In the aftermath of Saturday's 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone, the St Mirren hierarchy released a rare entry into the SPFL statement league.

It decried the VAR team's decision not to send referee Dan MacFarlane over to the monitor after Drey Wright brought down Elvis Bwomono with what looked clear trip on the Saints wing-back.

To be honest, it's hard not to feel somewhat hard done by this season, with regular refereeing oversights feeling like they are now starting to stack up.

That last sentence is one which could apply to most, if not all, clubs in the top flight this campaign, though, with most weekends resulting in at least one big talking point on the officiating front.

However, controversy aside, no amount of asterisks next to dropped points can quite cover up the fact that St Mirren have struggled to achieve any real consistency this season.

Victories against Rangers and Aberdeen offset by defeats to St Johnstone, Ross County and Motherwell have led to the Buddies occupying eighth place in a league where any one of six or seven sides could just as easily finish in a European spot as a relegation play-off.

By no means whatsoever are we close to panic stations for the season overall. This one wouldn't even get an honourable mention on a top 10 list of bad ones in recent memory if the league were to end today.

On the transfer window front, Saints opted to bring in defensive reinforcement with a late loan move for Ryan Alebiosu, the KV Kortrijk man being somewhat familiar to the Paisley faithful from his spell at Kilmarnock.

Numerous thirsty fans will have spent the final minutes of the window refreshing St Mirren's X feed waiting for any further new faces, with the side still feeling one or two bodies light leading into the final third of the campaign.

Still, in Stephen Robinson we trust, and if the man who has steered the club to consecutive top-six finishes believes in the current squad now being deep enough to get us across the line, who are we to doubt him?

Craig Devine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

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St Mirren missed out on the loan signing of Celtic forward Johnny Kenny, 21, on transfer deadline day. (Sun), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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St Mirren have signed right-back Ryan Alebiosu on loan from Belgian side K.V. Kortrijk until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old began his career with Arsenal and turned professional with the Gunners back in 2020 before a loan spell with Crewe Alexandra in the 2021/22 season.

Alebisou also has experience of Scottish football having spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Kilmarnock where he made 29 appearances across all competitions.

"It's important that we got someone in at the right-side of the pitch," manager Stephen Robinson said.

"We tried to get him previously when he was at Arsenal. It's a chance for him to put himself in the shop window and for us to benefit from a different type of right-sided player in certain games.

"He has experienced the league before. It was important to get someone who knows the league. It can be a shock to people's system sometimes and it can surprise people. Ryan has experienced it before with Kilmarnock and he went abroad for a different experience."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

St Mirren would like to add one or two new signings on deadline day, but no deals are imminent in Paisley. If any business does take place, it will be late in the day.

They are likely to be shopping in the loan market, and any incomings are not reliant on any players leaving the club.

Frustrated St Mirren are to lead the call for a total revamp of VAR in the Premiership and want to see it taken out of the hands of the Scottish FA and run by an independent body. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

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Coleraine have announced the signing of defender Charles Dunne pending international clearance.

The 31-year-old joins the Irish Premiership club from St Mirren, where he made almost 100 appearances for the Paisley-based outfit.

A London native, Dunne started his career at Wycombe Wanderers and after a loan spell at Staines Town, joined Blackpool on a permanent basis in 2013.

Dunne had further spells on loan at Wycombe Wanderers and Crawley Town before joining Oldham Athletic, for who he played 18 times.

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international then moved to Motherwell, playing in the 2017 Scottish League Cup and 2018 Scottish Cup finals.

After a four-year stay at Fir Park, Dunne went on to play for St Mirren.

Speaking about the signing of Dunne, Coleraine head coach Dean Shiels said: "Centre back is a position we have been looking to add experience to help the younger players.

"Charles is a commanding centre-back who has played at a really high level this season in the Scottish Premiership. He also possesses the experience to organise and communicate.

"He is good in possession and is very quick, which are great qualities to have."

The signing of Dunne comes hot on the heels of the arrival of striker Declan McManus from Welsh side TNS on Friday.

The Bannsiders have also added Levi Ives, Paddy Burns and Ronan Doherty to their ranks during the transfer window.

Watch the Sportscene panel discuss Greg Kiltie's disallowed goal in St Mirren's 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone.

St Mirren have contacted the SFA's Referee Department to "seek clarity" on the decision not to award a penalty for a foul on Elvis Bwomono in the 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone.

The sides were level at 0-0 when Bwomono went down inside the St Johnstone penalty area under the challenge of Drey Wright but referee Dan McFarlane was happy to let play continue and VAR saw no clear and obvious error to overturn the decision, or instruct the official to review the incident.

The Buddies went on to lose the game 1-0 and confirmed that they have asked for clarification on the decision.

In a statement on X, the club wrote: "St Mirren FC is disappointed with the decision not to award a penalty in the first-half of yesterday's match against St Johnstone following a foul on Elvis Bwomono.

"A VAR review cleared this decision without requiring the referee to look at the incident on the pitchside monitor. The club has spoken to Scottish Football Association's Referee Department today seeking clarity on this and other decisions in yesterday's match.

"Clearly, we are all humans and mistakes will happen. However, there has now been an accumulation of errors made against St Mirren.

"This is hugely disappointing for the club and our supporters, and we will continue to engage with the Scottish FA to improve standards of officiating."

Watch highlights of St Mirren's 1-0 loss against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on St Mirren's 1-0 defeat against St Johnstone.

Here's what some of you said:

Alistair: Beaten by Tayside in our last three home games, we need to find a way through teams that sit back and defend which St Johnstone did well. Special shout out to our fans who kept the noise going for the full 90-plus minutes.

Bobby: I think our last five home games clearly show our shortfalls this season. Only one home win in this period, against Rangers. St Mirren are fundamentally a counter-attacking team and when teams sit a bit deeper we struggle to break them down. Aberdeen last week was a typical counter-attack performance which highlights the difference.

Douglas: Total lack of creativity, with virtually no pressure applied to the St Johnstone keeper throughout the game. It is a worrying aspect of our side, as typified by our ability to alter tactics from the ball over the top one week, to finding a way to break down a different form of defence. If we play anything like that against Hearts, I fear the worst.

Stephen: We struggled to break down a stuffy St Johnstone side, but I believe we should have been awarded a first half penalty and that would have completely changed the game and Simo Valakari's tactics. How the referee or VAR missed the clear trip on Elvis Bwomono, I'll never know. Fine margins in this league, but we've had a few costly decisions go against us this season.

Dan: The elusive 20-goals-a-season striker haunts St Mirren and has done so for a number of years. Stephen Robinson is correct that he is a realist and needs to strive to keep them in the Premiership but survival looking more and more precarious given the upcoming fixtures.

Dougie: Another set piece blunder. Not good enough. Robinson blames himself again. It's happening too often, saying he put out the wrong team. Would love to know who he would have played and who would he have dropped from last week.

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• St Johnstone have scored in their last five games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of six games from 19 October 2024 to 23 November 2024.

• St Mirren have failed to score in 10 of their 25 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• St Johnstone have scored in each of their last five games in the Premiership, scoring six goals in that run.

St Johnstone pulled off an unexpected victory against St Mirren thanks to Bozo Mikulic's bundled strike - and boosted their hopes of Scottish Premiership survival.

Simo Valakari's bottom side had won their previous league game and move to within four points of Kilmarnock, who host Dundee United later.

What did you make of that, St Mirren fans? Did you deserve more from that game?

Where did it go wrong?

Let us know your thoughts here, external.

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson told BBC Scotland: "First half, we totally dominated the game. St Johnstone got into our half once. But we didn't have enough creativity.

"We should draw that game, and the games we should be drawing, we're losing. That's why we are where we are at the moment, in limbo. We've not cemented anything in the top six and we're still looking over our shoulder. The reason for that is huge inconsistency from one week to the next.

"I didn't think we had enough invention and I take ultimate responsibility for that. We've got to force the game and make something happen and we haven't been able to do that. I've obviously picked the wrong team.

"It's hard, after you win 3-0 with such a convincing performance at Aberdeen, to make changes. But that's what's needed in certain games so, that's totally my fault."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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"We've conceded way too many set plays and too many individual errors," the St Mirren boss said pre-match. It was like he knew.

The only chances St Johnstone had up until that point had been a long-range strike from Graham Carey, that was immediately followed by Makenzie Kirk's header.

St Mirren's defending had all come from the front as Mikael Mandron and Toyosi Olusanya pressed and pressed, and while they did force chances and looked dangerous on the counter, the final ball was desperately lacking.

That's now three home games on the spin that have ended in defeat - to Dundee, Dundee United, and now St Johnstone.

With the league this tight, they need to address their home form quickly or else they'll keep sliding down the way.

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St Mirren defender Alex Iacovitti (hamstring) and Conor McMenamin (calf) remain out.

St Johnstone could include new signings Jonathan Svedberg, Daniels Balodis and Elliot Watt but Benji Kimpioka will not feature after being the subject of a bid.

Cammy MacPherson (hip) is working his way back but Uche Ikpeazu (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles) remain sidelined.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Mirren assistant manager Brian Kerr has hailed the collective abilities of striking duo Mikael Mandron and Toyosi Olusanya, saying they would strike fear into any opposition manager.

Mandron scored twice in the Buddies' 3-0 win at Pittodrie last time out, while Olusanya has 11 goals in all competitions this season.

"I think they have everything," Kerr said. "When you put both of them together you get height and physicality, hold-up play and pace in behind.

"In terms of the two of them playing together, you have everything with that front two. A very dangerous pair to deal with.

"I wouldn't like playing against both of them when they're in that kind of form. Mika gives you a real platform to build off. And Toyosi's pace is incredible. That would put fear into any manager."

Olusanya's contract is due to expire at the end of this season, and while Kerr accepts there is likely to be interest in the striker's services, he insists he will remain at St Mirren beyond the January transfer window.

"Toy will attract attention," Kerr said. "Like I said, any team that watches him, how aggressive he is, his pace. He's obviously scored a number of goals for us this year as well.

"So he's got to attract interest. But at the minute we've got no intention of letting Toy go anywhere until the summer when it's ultimately his decision."