St Mirren

Image source, Getty Images

Manager Stephen Robinson says St Mirren are "lucky" to have landed former Rangers left-back Declan John.

The 29-year-old Wales international, who spent last season on loan at Salford City and was released by Bolton in the summer, has signed a deal in Paisley until January.

He arrives to fill the defensive void left by Jaden Brown's departure.

"Declan is here on a short-term deal with a view to extending depending on how it goes," said Robinson.

"The circumstances we find ourselves in means we're very short of defence cover. Declan comes in with a vast amount of experience. He's played at some very high levels and obviously been up in Scotland before as well so we're very lucky that we've been able to get him in.

"We've seen his quality in his first couple of days in training. He's a talented boy, is very good technically but he hasn't played a lot of football in recent months so that’s something we need to look at and try to get him up to speed.

"To add to the squad with the quality and background Declan has, I believe we are very lucky at this stage of the season."

John was delighted to secure a deal with Saints after a "crazy" few days.

"I came up on Thursday, trained on Friday and went to watch the game on Saturday which was a great win for the boys," he said.

"I've enjoyed it and I'm really looking forward to getting back into training.

"From walking in, everything has been so positive and you can feel that in the changing room. It feels like a really good place to be."

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

Don't call it a comeback, but the return of the Mc defined all that was good about St Mirren on Saturday as they once again wrestled three points from Easter Road.

Making his first start since the final day of last season, Conor McMenamin could have been forgiven for a bit of rustiness and a gradual return to his goal-getting best.

In all honesty, owing to both injuries and form in his debut Scottish season, this was a best that Saints fans had mostly seen in YouTube compilations prior to his touching down in Paisley.

By the end of last season, this impact was beginning to show on a more regular basis before defeat was finally admitted on a knee issue that had troubled the Northern Irishman throughout most of the campaign.

Hitting this challenge head on should hopefully free up the popular winger to recapture this kind of momentum, but did come at the expense of participating in the European rewards for last season.

Two first-half goals, taken in expert fashion, on Saturday give a glimpse of what the direct, intelligent running of McMenamin can produce and hopefully will deliver again in the weeks and months to come.

Ever-present he may be, but Saturday's win could also be framed as a comeback for loanee goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe. Occasionally vulnerable from corners and pressured in his kicking, the Brentford man had seemed to be carrying the world on his shoulders in recent weeks.

By the close on Saturday, Balcombe was being pushed forward by his team-mates to receive solo acclaim for his starring role in a frantic victory. From open play, bravery and anticipation had the keeper out at the feet of attackers on multiple occasions.

The headline-grabbing moment, however, came from the spot. Punished for a Mark O'Hara challenge (pretend you saw me mime inverted commas in the style of Dr Evil when reading the word challenge), a theatrical Martin Boyle had his chance to nestle one home from 12 yards.

There may well have been harder, neater and better penalties up and down the country on Saturday, but you can only save what's in front of you. And save it, Balcombe did.

Getting down quickly and confidently, the Saints number one swallowed up the effort and kept the Buddies in a two-goal advantage that proved essential by the end of injury time.

Seven points from a key three-game stretch against bottom-half sides now in the pocket, it's Jimmy Thelin's granite juggernaut next for an improving Saints.

With a fit and firing winger and revitalised keeper on the teamsheet, watch this space.

Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

Sportscene pundit Neil McCann lauds St Mirren's "aggressive" attacking set-up in the 2-1 victory over St Mirren that hoisted Stephen Robinson's men into the top six.

Image source, SNS

St Mirren's Conor McMenamin credited his goalscoring heroics against Hibernian to his eight-year-old daughter Daisy, who was watching him from the stands.

The Northern Ireland international has only just returned from injury after knee surgery over the summer, and celebrated his comeback with two goals in Saturday's 2-1 win at Easter Road.

"It's the perfect return to the starting eleven and the weekend couldn't have gone much better," McMenamin told club media. "I had my wee girl over for the first time this year and it's a weekend I won't forget.

"Every time she's here, I have a funny feeling I'll score or do something for her. I'll have to ask her mum if she can come back every week at this rate! My mum was there as well to have her here was special. Most importantly, we got three points."

It was an impressive performance from a Buddies side high in confidence, although Hibs almost clawed a point back with a last-minute goal that was eventually ruled out for offside.

"In the attacking areas, we want to add goals to our games and that's something that I needed to improve on," McMenamin added. "I spoke to the gaffer before the surgery and it's something we wanted to target. To come back and score two on my return, I'm really happy.

"We could've been out of sight before Hibs got the first one, but the momentum of football is crazy. It was a crazy second half, anything could have happened.

"The players have set high standards at this club and although we had a sluggish start to the campaign, the last few weeks have been really positive."

St Mirren threatened to blow Hibernian away in the first-half at Easter Road, and that was largely down to the contributions of the two players I've picked.

Killian Phillips, the former Crystal Palace man, was a big presence in the St Mirren midfield. Shrewd business again from Stephen Robinson.

On the wing, Conor McMenamin starred on his return. Two goals, what more can you say. A stellar first-half performance, and a reminder of how good the Northern Irishman can be on his day.

What would you like to ask Tom English about St Mirren?

Our chief sportswriter is in the hotseat ready to answer your questions and offer his insight and opinion on your club.

Answers will be provided on Tuesday’s episode of the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast and on this page later in the week.

Put your questions to Tom here., external

Watch highlights of Hibernian's 2-1 defeat against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

(Available to UK audiences only)

We asked for your views on St Mirren's 2-1 win against Hibernian.

Here's what some of you said:

Huey: Saints haven't had it easy recently, with injuries to key players, decisions going against us on the field and the unforeseen departure of two new signings. However, over the last few weeks we've started to resemble the team who did so well last season. Special mention to the indefatigable Stephen Robinson for steering us through a difficult period.

Ian: Well done the Saints and Conor McMenamin. A solid performance despite late tiredness in added time. Still not convinced with the handball rule. Glad to see Martin Boyle thwarted. Well done lads a big three points that takes a bit of pressure off. Killian Phillips was man of the match for me.

Jim: Let's not get carried away, this was a result against a team who are bottom and leak goals. The St Mirren display still shows a tendency to hit long balls for the forward to chase. The substitutes contributed very little and we managed to get the result we probably deserved. We will meet a lot of better sides than this.

Alistair: A squeaky bum moment at the end can’t take the gloss off what was a great performance against a poor side. Special mention to Killian Phillips and Ellery Balcombe, both were terrific and can go into the break brimming with confidence for a busy schedule ahead.

Image source, SNS

• Hibernian have scored five goals via substitutes in the Premiership this season, only Aberdeen (six) have scored more.

• Hibernian attempted 502 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• Hibernian have scored in their last six Premiership home games.

• St Mirren have conceded two penalties in the Premiership this season, only Kilmarnock (three) and Hearts (three) have conceded more.

Image source, SNS

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "I thought first half we were absolutely terrific. We learnt our lesson from Hearts, we went and we sat off too much, but we were really aggressive with our press.

"Some of our football in the first half was excellent. We hit the crossbar to make it 3-0 and the game's over. We didn't finish it off and then we had to show real character and defend for our lives. And we were quietly confident the goal would be disallowed because we'd seen the replay [and] he was right in front of the goalkeeper, but you never know.

"So thankfully, we had a little bit of luck on our side for the first time in a long time, and I thought we thoroughly deserved our victory.

"But look, with the players I've got here and the energy levels, sometimes when we don't play quite so well as we can, there's never a doubt about attitude and application and the energy and the fight, if I was a St Mirren fan to watch that, I'd be so proud."

Were you at the win in Edinburgh or following from elsewhere as Conor McMenamin scored a first-half double?

Is this the St Mirren of old beginning to shine through?

Let us know what you made of the match., external

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Their performance will be overshadowed somewhat by the horrid run of Hibs and their poor performance but that’s not fair to Robinson’s side.

McMenamin was a threat throughout, with the whole side’s press causing the home side all sorts of problems.

Organised, together, and dangerous, they were everything Hibs aren’t and despite some poor runs of form this season are now looking more like the side of last season.

They are able to start games fast too, scoring 11 first-half goals in 13 games, with only Celtic having scored more in the Premiership this season. Proof that they are a well-drilled unit.

Image source, SNS

Who else but Conor McMenamin?

A stellar first-half performance. Both his goals reflected his strengths.

The first, a smart finish after a great instinctive drift towards the front post.

The second, a driving run and composed finish after determined pressing.

Image source, SNS

Hibernian: Bursik, C. Cadden, Ekpiteta, O'Hora, Obita, Kwon, Newell, Triantis, Boyle, Youan, Hoilett.

Substitutes: Smith, Miller, Levitt, Doyle-Hayes, Iredale, McKirdy, N. Cadden, Bushiri, Gayle.

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Gogic, Taylor, Bwomono, Tanser, Phililips, O'Hara, Kiltie, McMenamin, Olusanya.

Substitutes: Urminsky, Kenny, Penman, Smythm Adeniran, Scott, Mooney, Ayunga, Mandron.

Follow the action live.

Hibs striker Mykola Kuharevich is suspended while Lewis Miller is doubtful with an ankle injury but Dwight Gayle and Chris Cadden are set to return. Kieron Bowie (hamstring) is still absent.

St Mirren defender Charles Dunne has been ruled out for eight weeks with a hamstring tendon injury. A similar problem is keeping Alex Iacovitti on the sidelines.

Midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce is a doubt, Jaden Brown is still unavailable and Kevin van Veen's loan was cancelled this week.

Image source, SNS

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.

Image source, SNS

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.