St Mirren

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St Mirren have been dealt another defensive injury blow after Charles Dunne was ruled out for eight weeks with a tendon problem.

Manager Stephen Robinson is already without wing-back Jaden Brown - who is being investigated by the club after he admitted three separate driving offences - and centre-half Alex Iacovitti, who has a long-term injury.

The Paisley club terminated Kevin van Veen's loan spell earlier this week after he appeared in court charged with domestic abuse, and wing-back Shaun Rooney left the club by mutual consent in October following an assault charge.

"We had a blow with Charles, we had him re-scanned and looked at and he's going to be out eight weeks with a tendon injury, which is a big, big blow to us obviously with losing defenders for numerous reasons," Robinson said.

"We're down to the bare bones in terms of centre-halves and obviously Jaden's still not available and we've lost the other two players as well.

"The defensive positions are a concern for us at the moment, but other than that, injury-wise people are coming back to fitness in the forward areas and midfield areas. We'll be very light in defensive numbers between now and Christmas."

There is also an injury doubt over midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce before Saturday’s trip to face Hibernian.

Robinson added: "It's probably been the most difficult period of my management career.

"It's things that they don't teach on the Pro Licence (course), I have to be honest with you. I think they need to rewrite the book on how to teach managers.

"You learn, you cope with it, you deal with it. The way I look at it is I deal with the people that I can deal with and I’m in control of.

"We've got a fantastic bunch of boys here that are fighting and scrapping for each other.

"Bad luck can continue forever. So we don't believe in that, we believe in working hard and overturning that bad luck."

• Hibs have lost three of their last four Scottish Premiership games against St Mirren (D1), more than their previous 17 beforehand (W11 D4 L2).

• St Mirren won both of their league trips to Easter Road last season, scoring exactly three goals each time. The Buddies had only won two of their previous 13 top-flight away games at Hibs before this (D5 L6).

• Hibs have drawn their last three Scottish Premiership games, last having a longer such run in the competition in October 2019 (5 in a row).

• St Mirren have picked up fewer away points in the Scottish Premiership this season than any side (1), losing their last three on the road.

• Hibs have dropped a league-high 11 points from winning positions in the Scottish Premiership this season, a metric they ranked joint second in for 2023-24 (21, level with Kilmarnock and behind only Dundee’s 25).

Jaden Brown, the 25-year-old left-back who is awaiting sentencing after admitting three driving charges, could be the third player to exit St Mirren within weeks for ending up in court after the club ended striker Kevin van Veen's loan from Groningen following the sacking of defender Shaun Rooney. (Daily Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Striker Kevin van Veen's loan spell at St Mirren has been ended after he appeared in court last week charged with domestic abuse, the club have confirmed.

The 33-year-old entered no plea at Hamilton Sheriff Court to the charge of engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive of his partner or ex-partner.

The case was continued until 28 November.

The Dutch striker joined the Paisley club in the summer on loan from FC Groningen and previously played for Kilmarnock and Motherwell.

"St Mirren can confirm that Kevin van Veen's loan has ended and he will return to his parent club FC Groningen," a statement read.

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

Like swing-state rallies in a marginal presidential race, games have come thick and fast for the Buddies over the last week and a half.

Ibrox had its thrills and St Johnstone's visit to Paisley was heavy on incidents and excitement, feeding expectations for a decent Saturday afternoon hosting Ross County.

For the third game in a row since calling for a back-to-basics approach, Stephen Robinson named a mostly unchanged line-up of almost-exclusively long-standing players in a 3-4-3 shape. Save for Ellery Balcombe and Killian Phillips, all signings from this summer remained on the bench or in the stands.

This return to the ultra-disciplined shape that defined the past two seasons of top-half delivery in Paisley was largely successful at Ibrox, dragging an out-of-sorts Saints back to life and coming close to taking an unlikely point.

This spark continued in midweek against a St Johnstone side who, under Simo Valakari, are comfortable in possession and committing numbers forwards. Save for a couple of disallowed goals, the robust Buddies had this home tie under their control and justly earned the points by a two-goal margin.

However, and not for the first time, the Saints' preferred shape and reliance on the counter-press lost some of its shine Saturday in the face of a similarly possession-averse opponent.

Toyosi Olusanya's pace, James Scott and Greg Kiltie's disciplined pressing and Killian Phillips' crashing through defensive lines were nullified against a County defence and midfield that kept air on the ball at every opportunity. Had the entire Saints side stood in a line, deep in their own half, from each goal kick - the likelihood is that Ross Laidlaw and the impressive County back three would still send it long for Jordan White to pull down and protect well.

Returning to the back three and previously successful shape has undeniable benefits for Robinson and his side against higher-spending and more expansive opponents. Cracking the code on those afternoons where possession is closer to being halved is work still to be completed.

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

St Mirren are to cancel the loan arrangement for Kevin van Veen after the Groningen striker appeared in court last week over domestic abuse allegations. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

Watch highlights as St Mirren draw 0-0 against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your thoughts on St Mirren's 0-0 draw against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

Here's what some of you said:

Ian: We can't afford to keep on missing penalties. We are only making things more difficult for ourselves. The Staggies deserved their point quite frankly. Oh for a Jordan White!

Craig: Watching that game, it was clear early on that we weren't going to score! County frustrated us and we seemed to play into their hands a bit, we aren't capable of opening a team up who sit in, we're probably better suited to playing against the better sides in the league who will come and have a go, we badly need a striker.

Jim: An awful display with no visible plan. No control on the ball and absolutely no composure. The poorest game in the season and on this showing a fight for survival. A squad who need to look at each other and not just themselves. Time for a change of players and tactics.

Alistair: What a terrible game of football, both teams cancelled each other out. A nice time to appreciate Marcus Fraser, a no-nonsense defender and the best thing I noticed about that 90 minutes was that he doesn’t cut open his socks, well done that man.

St Mirren fans, we want to know what you made of the performance in Paisley. Are you pleased with the point or disappointed not to clinch all three?

Let us know your thoughts here, external.

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "It's an opportunity missed. It was different from the last two games, Ross County slowed it down and it looked like they were playing for a point until the very end.

"Overall we looked jaded and tired in the first half, the subs freshened us up. It's an opportunity missed I think we should have won the game. Lessons learned, we remain unbeaten and we go again.

"The subs gave us energy which was the pleasing aspect, chances-wise we have to score one of them. It's one of those games where one goal would win it. We defended well when we need to."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Having ended a four-game losing streak by returning to winning ways in midweek, Robinson will be frustrated his side couldn't make it back-to-back victories.

The goalless draw throws up more worries for Saints. Kiltie's miss raises questions over who will take their penalties from now on, with Mark O'Hara having also struggled from the spot this season.

Of the host' 11 attempts, only three were on target and the likes of Toyosi Olusanya, Mandron and Jonah Ayunga were not clinical.

But after three game in a week, the Paisley men sit sixth in the table and have a much-needed break to prepare for next Saturday's trip to Easter Road.

Stephen Robinson has made just one change from Wednesday night's victory over St Johnstone.

Charles Dunne drops out with an injury and Richard Taylor starts in his place.

Ross County have made three changes from their 0-0 draw with Hibs in midweek.

Ryan Leak misses out completely through illness while Ronan Hale and Aidan Denholm drop to the bench.

Jack Grieves, Josh Nisbet and Josh Reid are in from the start.

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St Mirren pair Jaden Brown and Kevin van Veen are unavailable following court appearances.

Roland Idowu (ankle), Charles Dunne (hamstring) and Conor McMenamin (knee) will be assessed while Alex Iacovitti (tendon) is out long term.

Ross County have Charlie Telfer available after suspension, but Will Nightingale (knee), George Harmon (ankle) and Max Sheaf (thigh) are likely to miss out.

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• St Mirren are unbeaten in seven home games against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership (W5 D2) since a 3-0 reverse in April 2015. The Buddies have kept a clean sheet in their last five such home games against the Staggies, winning the last three.

• The away side has won none of the last eight league meetings between St Mirren and Ross County (six home wins, two draws), with the last away win in this fixture being the Buddies' 3-2 victory in October 2021.

• St Mirren have lost each of their last three league games played on a Saturday, last losing more consecutively in the Scottish Premiership on that specific day in April 2022 (five in a row).

• Ross County are winless in their last 21 away games in the Scottish Premiership (D8 L13), since a 1-0 win at Kilmarnock in September 2023; that is now the outright longest winless streak away from home in the competition this century.

Scott Tanser loops a brilliant finish into the top corner to bring St Mirren level in their 3-1 comeback win over the full-back's former club St Johnstone.

(Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views after St Mirren beat St Johnstone 3-1 to halt a four-match losing streak.

Here's what some of you said:

Paula: Pretty awful start so it was understandable how quickly the supporters around me in the west stand started voicing their frustration, but the focus of that frustration shifted deservedly to the the officials. More VAR interferences than goals. Saints deserved the win and we move on now to Saturday's game. Another three points please.

Alistair: That performance was what we built last season, even when we went one down there was no panic on the pitch or in the stands. A solid team effort, the manager really must have read the riot act after the Hearts game and he's got a reaction.

Douglas: Better than recent stuttering performances, but VAR came to our assistance on this occasion and we could easily have been 3-1 down. We must make pressure count when in control, but we lacked composure. Unconvinced by Mikael Mandron and the Perth defence breathed more easily after Toyosi Olusanya's departure. Better than before, but still much room for improvement.

William: Robinson's recent talk on "reset" appears to have had a good effect on the players. Two excellent performances have given the belief that top six can be achieved.

Ian: We got the job done - but still need to sharpen up defensively. A very welcome three points.

Jim: A game of two halves. St Johnstone passed the ball on the ground and looked like a side full of confidence. St Mirren completely took over in the second half and looked like the team from last year. Great to see the two substitute strikers make an impression. Things could be on the change.

Stuart: Yet another difficult watch, usual poor finishing and headless chickens. Only positives, Greg Kiltie and Scott Tanser. Why can't St Mirren move the ball about like St Johnstone? Game spoiled by half a dozen VARs.

Sportscene pundits Neil McCann and Michael Stewart examine the St Johnstone goals from Benjamin Kimpioka and Adama Sidibeh that were ruled out in the Perth side's 3-1 defeat at St Mirren.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Relieved St Mirren captain Mark O'Hara insisted his side's "trust" in each other was the secret to ending their four-game losing streak with a comeback win over St Johnstone.

O'Hara scored the Buddies' second in Paisley as they rallied from an early deficit to record a crucial 3-1 victory.

"It's massive," the midfielder said. "You feel a bit of relief when you've been in a bit of a rut and things just aren't going your way.

"That first win is a long time coming, but when it does come, it's just relief and it's time we build on it.

"We just trust each other. We started the game well. Maybe they scored against the run of play. We just stuck to the gameplan and no one put their heads down in that changing room the whole time we’ve been in this rut.

"The team spirit is great and the belief is there and I'm sure it will stand us in good stead this season.

After Benjamin Kimpioka flicked St Johnstone in front, Scott Tanser conjured a terrific strike into the top corner to bring the hosts level before O'Hara's header and a late third from substitute Jonah Ayunga completed the fightback.

"Even to go 1-0 down it's not ideal, but we've shown a bit of character to come back from the last games, and the setback tonight, and we never doubted each other," O'Hara added.

"We just keep trusting each other and and our time will come. Hopefully now we’ll go on a similar run with wins."

Stephen Robinson didn't pull any punches during his side's losing run, and O'Hara explained what the manager demanded.

"When he says back to basics, it's simplifying the game and playing more in the opponent's half than we have been, and not inviting pressure on ourselves and limiting the number of mistakes," he added.

"That's what we've done in the last couple of games, and it's been successful for us."

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• Jonah Ayunga has scored his first goal in the Premiership this season, netting for the first time since 30 December 2023 against Aberdeen.

• St Johnstone have conceded six goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half in matches this season, only Hibernian (eight) and Ross County (seven) have conceded more in the Premiership.

• St Johnstone have conceded five goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

• St Mirren scored three goals in a game for the first time since 4 August 2024 against Hibernian (W3-0).