St Mirren

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Greg Kiltie has returned to Kilmarnock from St Mirren on a two-year deal in search of "guaranteed first-team football".

Both Scottish Premiership clubs have signed off an "undisclosed agreement" for the 28-year-old attacking midfielder to re-join the Ayrshire club.

Kiltie, who scored 11 goals and provided 17 assists in 142 games for St Mirren, left Rugby Park for Paisley in 2021, but his minutes were limited in the second half of last season.

Buddies boss Stephen Robinson says Kiltie has been an "integral part" of what the team has achieved in recent years, earning three straight top-six finishes.

"He's a great boy and a very talented player," Robinson added. "But Greg felt he wanted guaranteed first-team football and he had an opportunity at Kilmarnock and we wouldn't stand in his way."

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell said: "Greg is a player I've admired for a number of years and he's one I'm confident will fit in well with our squad.

"Greg is a local lad, and Kilmarnock is his team, it was clear when speaking to him he was eager to come back and I am delighted we could make it happen."

Kiltie, who registered 20 goals and 16 assists in 134 games during his first spell at Kilmarnock, added: "When I heard this could be a possibility then obviously I jumped at the chance to get it done and I'm just delighted to be back.

"I always felt I wanted to come back, but in football you never know, you're just hoping the timing is going to be right and everything aligns.

"I had a chat with the manager and he explained what he was thinking and obviously his ambition and my ambitions. I won't go into it too much, but obviously we're both ambitious and want the team to be successful."

Swansea City goalkeeper Andy Fisher, 27, who was on loan at St Johnstone last season, is a possible target for St Mirren. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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The SPFL confirmed attendances have risen for a third consecutive season and thanked fans for their "incredible support".

Crowds across all leagues, cups and play-off matches totalled more than 5.3 million, a rise of nearly 185,000 from the 2023-24 season.

"We will be having further meetings with key stakeholders over the summer to review the most recent season and look ahead to 2025-26," the SPFL statement ends.

"We remain committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable matchday experience for players and supporters - they are the lifeblood of our game and deserve nothing less."

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

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St Mirren head coach Steven Robinson hopes to use Aberdeen's Scottish Cup success and the celebrations that followed as inspiration as he eyes up similar scenes in Paisley next season.

"When you're in Scotland, you probably have to accept that you're not going to win the league, if you're realistic" Robinson said.

"But, you can always win a cup. You need a bit of luck, you need a good draw, or get a good run and I've not managed that at St Mirren.

"[Aberdeen winning the Scottish Cup] is good for Scottish football. It was good to see.

"I've been to finals twice with Motherwell and I saw what it did to the town, the togetherness it brought, so that is certainly a driving force.

"My head of recruitment Martin Foyle said 'you could do with a cup run' and I'm like 'thanks Martin, I know that and we're trying'.

"It's something that will drive us forward and it is one of our aims."

Read more from Liam's interview with Robinson here.

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St Mirren are set to sign Jamaica defender Richard King, 23, after agreeing a fee with his club Cavalier. (Record), external

But a move to St Mirren is not on for Bournemouth goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, 22. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

St Mirren have their eye on 22-year-old Bournemouth goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, who has been on loan to Auckland, if they are unable to retain Zach Hemming following his loan from Middlesbrough. (Sunday Mail), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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"Emotional" St Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips described his first cap for the Republic of Ireland as the "proudest moment of my life".

The 23-year-old enjoyed a stellar season at club level in Paisley, becoming a key part of Stephen Robinson's side, and was rewarded with an international debut in Friday's 1-1 draw with Senegal.

Phillips, whose loan stay at St Mirren will become a permanent one this summer, came on as a second-half substitute in Dublin.

"It's been along journey, a lot of sacrifices over the years," he told RTE Sport.

"This is what I've always wanted to do. I just wanted to wear the green shirt at least once.

"I'm a bit emotional at the minute, but I'm over the moon. I don't want to be a one-cap wonder now."

St Mirren are braced for an approach from Plymouth Argyle for manager Stephen Robinson with the Pilgrims on the hunt for a replacement after Miron Muslic left to join Schalke last week following their relegation to League One. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

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Stephen Robinson is eager to bring full-back Ryan Alebiosu back to St Mirren for next season but admits "bigger offers" could scupper his hopes.

The 23-year-old Arsenal youth product joined during the winter transfer window on loan from Belgian side Kortrijk and played a big role as the Buddies secured a third successive top-six finish.

"I would love to bring him back," manager Robinson told BBC Scotland.

"He changed our whole dynamic in terms of the way we play and he was more like a winger, and it was the same with [Declan John], they gave us something different."

Alebiosu and John arrived after a three-month period where Robinson was shorn of three first-team players as Shaun Rooney, Jaden Brown and Kevin van Veen all cut ties with the club amid off-field issues early in the season.

"The problem with that was we weren't able to replace them," the Northern Irishman added. "It was outside the transfer window so we had to wait until Christmas.

"Obviously it was circumstances no manager wants to deal with anyway, but not being able to replace them and enhance the squad was tough. But we got there.

"We thought Declan was a fantastic player, but he hadn't played for months so we knew that was going to take a long time to get him up to speed.

"Nobody wanted Ryan, nobody wanted to take a chance on him. He'd been at Kilmarnock and done okay. We tried to sign him when he was at Arsenal, but we didn't have the funds.

"I believe he's got bigger offers and bigger football clubs interested now unfortunately."

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A game against MK Dons in Spain is among three friendlies St Mirren will play this summer to prepare for the 2025-26 season.

The Buddies visit Dumbarton on Saturday 28 June (14:00 BST) then take on English League Two MK Dons a week later on 5 July (10:00) during their training camp in Spain.

Stephen Robinson's side complete their preparations with a Renrewshire derby against Morton at Cappielow in the Communities Cup on Tuesday 8 July (19:45) before beginning the new season with a League Cup group game at Arbroath four days later.

We asked for your views on what St Mirren must do in the transfer window this summer.

Here's what some of you said:

Douglas: Certainly cover up front, with injuries and loss of form which are commonplace in that part of the team. At least one new face at the back is essential as Richard Taylor overall had a good season and he will be missed if we can't find an equal replacement. The loss of a left-footed midfielder will also be hard to fill, but we have reasonable cover there, however again injuries and age can catch up with you at any point in the season. Yes, a few new faces and permanent deals for a couple of last year's loanees will be welcome.

John: We badly need a striker with pace to replace Toyosi Olusanya.

Scott: We need a centre-half to replace Taylor. If we can't get Ryan Alebiosu signed then a right wing-back would be needed. Also some pace up front I think is important after Olusanya left.

Adam: Signing Zach Hemming is a must. He made a huge difference when arriving in January last season and played a key role in us achieving top six.

JayDee: Saints should take Jadon Sancho on loan. We can make him great again. We have rebuilt other careers, so why not his? The Premiership gets bigger and stronger year on year, so why not make the call?

David: We could do with another Olusanya. Someone that is a nuisance to defenders. We signed Owen Oseni in January but I'm not sure he fits the bill. A playmaker in the middle of the park, a solid defender to replace big Taylor and a goalkeeper. Fingers crossed we can get Hemming back. Alebiosu I would take back as well after a successful loan.

A: Most of the squad is pretty settled. We could do with another centre-back to replace Richard Taylor, a midfielder to replace Caolan Boyd-Munce, a right wing-back and a speedy centre forward (one that could guarantee 20+ goals a season would be nice). Apart from that more competition for places would also be a bonus.

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The transfer window opened on Sunday - albeit for 10 days initially, mainly so sides competing in the Club World Cup can get early business done - before reopening for the rest of the summer on 16 June.

Saints have already signed Killian Phillips and Roland Idowu after their loan spells ended, while Caolan Boyd-Munce and Richard Taylor are among the departures.

Is there still an area of the squad that needs improving, or certain players you are desperate for Saints to sign?

And what about sales - should anyone else be moved on?

Let us know here

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Manager Stephen Robinson wants his St Mirren side to improve in defending and attacking set plays as he aims further progression next term.

Despite narrowly missing out on a European place last season, the 50 points the Paisley club picked up was a higher total than the previous two campaigns under Robinson.

The former Motherwell boss hailed his team's end-of-season form, finishing the campaign unbeaten in six games, winning three and drawing three.

And Robinson also said there were "lots of positives" in his side's attacking play but added that his players "need to be better" when it comes to set pieces.

"At the end of every season, we sit down and go over what we regressed in and what we progressed in," the manager said.

"Overall, we got more points than the last two years, more touches in opposition box, more shots on target and scored more goals. Lots of positives.

"The negatives are we conceded more set plays, especially in the first half of the season, and we scored fewer set plays.

"In the Scottish game, you have to be able to defend set plays, long throws, long balls, and you also have to score them at the other end.

"That's something we need to be better at. But the statistics in forward areas are a big improvement and the points tally mirrored that."

St Mirren hope to bring goalkeeper Zach Hemming, 25, and right-back Ryan Alebiosu, 23, back to the club following loan spells. (Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Stephen McGinn has left his role as St Mirren Under-18s coach to take up a first-team coaching position at Falkirk.

McGinn made over 200 appearances for St Mirren prior to his return in the youth set-up, and was part of the Bairns' 2023-24 invincible League 1 winning campaign as a player.

Craig McLeish, currently St Mirren's head of technical performance, steps up to replace 36-year-old McGinn in a new U-19 set-up.

Academy director Allan McManus said: "We're sad to lose Stephen, but we're also delighted for him as he continues on his journey."

McGinn's return to Falkirk comes as they prepare for a first top-flight campaign in 15 years following their Championship title win.

Bairns manager John McGlynn: "Stephen's appointment will go down well with everyone at the club, no more so than the dressing room, where he was someone his fellow players looked up to."

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St Mirren travel to Arbroath on 12 July for the opening game of their Premier Sports Cup campaign.

After guiding the Buddies to another top-half finish last term, Stephen Robinson's season begins with a visit to newly-promoted Championship outfit Arbroath followed by a trip to Forfar.

St Mirren host Annan Athletic and Ayr United in their final two Group D games.

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St Mirren have been drawn alongside Ayr United, Arbroath, Annan Athletic and Forfar Athletic in Group D of the 2025-26 Premier Sports Cup.

The tournament gets under way on 12-13 July with further matchdays on 15-16 July, 19-20 July, 22-23 July and 26-27 July.

The eight group winners and three best runners-up will join Scotland's five European entrants - Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United - in the last 16 on the weekend of 16-17 August.

St Mirren were beaten by Dundee United in the second round last season and last lifted the trophy in 2013.