St Mirren

Craig Devine
Fan writer

What do City of Culture bids, trains bound for Canal Street station and Aberdeen Football Club's unbeaten league run have in common? They all come to an end in Paisley.

Saturday's 2-1 win over the Dons saw St Mirren at their best, largely nullifying an Aberdeen side who have won many plaudits this season through typical Stephen Robinson era hard work, vigorous pressing and some nice passages of play.

Sometimes, however, it's the very simplest of route-one efforts that can produce the goods, with the opener coming through Toyosi Olusanya muscling his way between the defence to latch on to Ellery Balcombe's missile up the park.

Saints were buoyant going in a goal up at the break, but the story could have played out differently if we didn't have VAR available to spare the blushes of referee John Beaton - just what on earth did he see that led him to believe Alex Gogic's perfectly-timed intervention warranted a straight red card?

Fortunately, the replay led to the red being downgraded to a yellow. If you asked me whether a booking was even warranted, or if it was just an attempt to save face... if I speak, I'm in big trouble.

Aberdeen's changes at the break certainly brought them back into the game, but even after Jamie McGrath’s leveller St Mirren weren't to be deterred.

The winner came courtesy of Richard Taylor rising about a mile above every other player on the park to head home his first goal in the stripes. Full-time, three points in the bag and the Saints are firmly back, baby.

News broke during the week that Taylor - an absolute gem of a find - is considered unlikely to sign a new contract to remain at the club beyond the end of the campaign.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Taylor will go on to greater heights, but with less than a month until the big man is due to come down the chimney, here's hoping we'll see an early Christmas present.

Craig Devine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Richard Taylor delivered one of the moments of the season so far, climbing highest to grab the goal that consigned Aberdeen to their first Premiership defeat under Jimmy Thelin.

Watch Sportscene analysis of St Mirren's 2-1 win against Aberdeen.

Watch highlights as St Mirren win 2-1 against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

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

Here's what some of you said:

Stevie: I thought Saints were to a man terrific. Work rate was exceptional. The manager and staff work so hard to install that work ethic and the players epitomise that. They had to do it for 96 minutes against the best Dons side we have seen in years. Well done Saints.

Sean: One of our most complete performances of the season. First half was a joy to behold, we harried Aberdeen relentlessly and should have been cruising by a few goals. As expected Aberdeen came out fast second half but we weathered the storm and got what we deserved. Alex Gogic, Richard Taylor, Greg Kiltie and Conor McMenamin were immense, a thoroughly deserved win.

Douglas: The three VAR decisions went our way but the initial red card for Gogic would have been a game changer, the correct use of VAR turned that decision over. We pressed them from the start and made it very difficult for their backs. Toyosi Olusanya especially made life uncomfortable for their defenders, his goal typified his strengths, speed and alertness.

Pedro: It was only a matter of time before the Dons' extraordinary run of luck came to an end! Watch them lose the next 12 now.

Eric: That was a tactical masterclass by Stephen Robinson. We dominated the first half. When Aberdeen changed personnel in the second half and drew level, he changed to compensate and got the victory St Mirren deserved. Great job Robinson.

John: Thoroughly deserved three points in difficult conditions. Aberdeen have had a marvellous start to the season and were deservedly joint top, but I just felt we had enough to match them in the game. So it turned out. Let's not talk about the officiating.

Alistair: That was worth the wait, a huge thank you to the people who managed to get down to the ground and helped the staff clear the pitch. The game was a brilliant advert for Scottish football and we were worthy of the three points, Scott Tanser runs down the wing for us.

Douglas: I was at the match and thought Saints man for man put in a wonderful display. They gave up most of the possession but looked really switched on with their high pressing game. Two great goals and didn't panic when Aberdeen got the equaliser. Robinson must be so proud of his players.

Image source, SNS

• St Mirren are undefeated in their last four games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 6th August 2023 to 30th September 2023, a run of seven games.

• Aberdeen attempted 599 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• Toyosi Olusanya has scored five goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other St Mirren player.

• Aberdeen have scored in their last 17 games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition (since at least 2024/2025).

Aberdeen's unbeaten Scottish Premiership record ended in Paisley as Richard Taylor's towering header earned St Mirren all three points.

It is a first league loss in 12 games for Jimmy Thelin's side, who stay second but could lose ground on Celtic when they visit Hearts later. Rangers also move a point closer, and are now eight points back in third.

St Mirren, too, had been on an unbeaten run - three games before the international break - and raced out of the blocks against their high-flying opponents.

Toyosi Olusanya got in behind the Aberdeen defence from a long punt forward by goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe and kept his cool to slide low past Dimitar Mitov.

The home side were briefly reduced to 10 men when referee John Beaton sent off Alex Gogic for a heavy sliding tackle on Shayden Morris, but after VAR advised Beaton to review the incident, he downgraded it to a yellow card.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin showed his dissatisfaction with a double change at half-time, bringing on Duk and Kevin Nisbet, and it sparked his side into life.

Duk posed problems down the left, and his cross eventually dropped to Jamie McGrath, who swept home to level the scores.

However, St Mirren stood firm, weathered the storm and slowly turned the tide.

Conor McMenamin had a shot well saved by Mitov, Olusanya fired just wide, but on 83 minutes, Taylor found the back of the net from Mark O'Hara's corner.

Duk hit a post with an audacious backheel soon after, but Aberdeen could not find a second equaliser.

St Mirren fans, were you at the ground or following along from home? Either way, we want your thoughts.

Have your say on the game., external

Image source, SNS

Toyosi Olusanya (left) was magnificent for St Mirren in their 2-1 win over Aberdeen.

The forward took his goal calmly, led the Paisley side's pressing and was a threat in behind with his pace.

That's five league goals for the season now.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Stephen Robinson spoke about how his side had nothing to fear from Aberdeen, despite their superb record, and his players played that way in the first half.

They made life uncomfortable for the visitors, pressing high, forcing Dimitar Mitov into a couple of nervy clearances and almost scoring through Conor McMenamin and Scott Tanser in the opening stages.

It got the home fans behind them and the buoyant mood in the stands was only boosted when Toyosi Olusanya opened the scoring.

The striker showed what he's all about from the off, leading the press and generally being a nuisance. The yard of pace and composure he showed for the goal were that of a top centre-forward.

Much is made of St Mirren's defensive solidity under Robinson, but they played some lovely football as well, despite conceding the majority of possession.

Even when Aberdeen levelled, they did not panic and on another day they would have found the winner before Richard Taylor's header, with McMenamin spurning a number of quality chances.

The nature of the performance was reflected by the number of fans who stayed after full-time to applaud the players from the park.

Image source, SNS

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "We've had some really good performances and results in the last five games and that reflects in doing the simple things well. I thought we were very good today, very organised but created a lot of chances and good on the counter-attack.

"Considering the form Aberdeen have been in, it has to be classed as a very good performance.

"We were unfortunate not to be two or three goals up, Conor [McMenamin] probably could have had a hat-trick on another evening.

"We didn't start well enough in the second half, but we weathered that and came back strong.

"We've had our blip, four or five games where we didn't play well. We had injuries and off-field problems, so we're starting to come through that. The league is so tight so no reason we can't [finish in the top six]."

Image source, SNS

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

Substitutes: Urminsky, Kenny, John,Penman, Smyth, Idowu, Scott, Ayunga, Mandron.

Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, MacKenzie, Shinnie, Nilsen, Morris, Clarkson, McGrath, Sokler.

Substitutes: Doohan, Polvara, Nisbet, Duk, McGarry, Besuijen, Palaversa, Milne, Keskinen.

Image source, SNS

Recent St Mirren signing Declan John could be in the squad for the first time. Defenders Charles Dunne and Alex Iacovitti are still out with hamstring injuries but midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce could return after missing the win at Hibs before the break.

Aberdeen midfielder Dante Polvara is back in the squad after a lengthy hamstring lay-off but Angus MacDonald drops out with a minor injury. Pape Habib Gueye (quad) remains out.

Image source, SNS

Stephen Robinson admits St Mirren are fighting a losing battle in trying to persuade Toyosi Olusanya and Richard Taylor to sign new deals.

The pair are out of contract next summer and striker Olusanya was offered a deal in October that would make him one of the club's highest ever earners.

Both he and defender Taylor have since been offered improved terms but no agreement has been reached.

"No, there's been no progress on that at the moment," said manager Robinson.

"We've made further offers to both players, but it looks at this moment in time that we probably won't be able to come to an agreement, which we respect.

"We know both boys will give absolutely everything. We won't give up. We're still very early.

"We'll see where we are come the end of January, if we can go any further than that, but they're very good offers for the football club so I'm not sure we can."

Robinson says the club have "drawn a line" under a turbulent period in which Kevin van Veen, Shaun Rooney and Jaden Brown all had their contracts terminated on the back of separate criminal proceedings.

"It was a situation nobody wanted to be in and it was a tough period," he added.

"We were a small squad and then we were reduced by another three players, first-team players, not boys on the outskirts of things. It's tough to deal with, but the squad have adapted to that."

New left-back Declan John could make his debut against Aberdeen on Saturday and Robinson is eyeing further reinforcements in January.

"We've got people in mind, people we've spoken to," he said. "Obviously we're trying to build that squad back up again after the loss of three players."

We asked you what's the one thing nobody is talking about in relation to St Mirren - good or bad.

Here's what some of you said:

William: The very thing fans don't want is a relegation fight. It can be demoralising and creates an uncertainty for the players. The Championship is very competitive and a difficult league to escape from, let alone win any prizes.

Anon: I think it is a credit to St Mirren that rather than punt their manager when the going got tough, they extended his contract. Very refreshing. And considering the non-football issues we have had. The management team and board have taken correct, if tough, decisions on all of them. Very proud of my local team.

Huey: Steven Robinson is the unsung hero that has guided us through a difficult period. He's had to deal with injuries to key players, two important new signings leaving the club due to personal legal issues and navigating his side through a dip in form. He hasn't made any excuses and has stayed positive throughout. We're lucky to have him at Saints.

Jim: After the European journeys I think St Mirren are just about getting back to last year's form. The big test is Saturday and the performance against Aberdeen who are a challenge for most teams in Scotland. The return to fitness of some of our major players should make this a Christmas cracker. A victory would set us up for the rest of the season.

Douglas: The good is all down to Robinson. He is working a miracle at the Buddies. Problems with troublesome players (now left ) and still managing a really good Saints side. CEO Keith Lasley plus vice-chairman Jim Gillespie are also working wonders off the park. Saints are in safe hands.

Image source, SNS

• St Mirren are unbeaten in eight home league games against Aberdeen (W5 D3) since a 2-1 defeat in December 2018 under Oran Kearney.

• After their 3-1 win in August, Aberdeen could defeat St Mirren twice in a row in the league for the first time since December 2018, when they won four on the bounce.

• St Mirren have won two of their last three league games (D1), as many as their first 10 of the season before this (W2 D2 L6). The Buddies are looking to win back-to-back Scottish Premiership matches for the first time since February last season.

• Aberdeen have won 10 of their 11 league games this season (D1); it took the Dons 35 league matches to reach 10 wins last term.

• No side are on a longer ongoing unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership than Aberdeen (20, level with Celtic). Aberdeen and Celtic's current such runs are the longest without defeat by any side in the competition since Celtic went 27 without losing from October 2022 to May 2023.

It's been an eventful season so far for St Mirren on and off the pitch.

There's been a long-awaited return to European football and the departure of three players following criminal proceedings, plus the chase for another top-six spot.

But what is the one thing nobody is talking about in relation to St Mirren - good or bad?

Let us know., external

Jamie Cockburn
Fan writer

During the last international break, I wrote about how we had no reason to worry and the best was yet to come. We then immediately lost 4-0 to Hearts, giving them their first league win of the season.

Thankfully the following week we returned to a familiar formation and faith was restored. I mean we still lost 2-1 to Rangers, but there was a bite that was missing from many of our performances, and we saw the return of Conor McMenamin, making his first appearance of the season coming off the bench.

The shape was there, there was an idea, the players looked like they knew what they were doing, and that was clear to be seen with a 3-1 win over St Johnstone just three days later. A 0-0 against Ross County was unfortunate but hey, our first clean sheet since the opening game of the season.

McMenamin then showed us what we have been missing, scoring two goals in his first start of the season when we took on Hibs, and Ellery Balcombe saved a penalty, boosting his much-needed confidence.

Seven points from the last three games all taking place in the space of a week, with players hitting form at the right time, the triumphant return of McMenamin and the international break for us to catch our breath, is this the perfect time for us to be facing Aberdeen?

This season's Aberdeen fairytale has been a joy to watch. There isn't a non-Old Firm fan that doesn't want to see a team outside the big two challenge for the title. Despite this, I do really believe we will be the first team to beat them in the league this season.

When we are at our best, and we are at home, I reckon we can take on anyone in this league.

In past seasons we have had some memorable performances in Paisley against the Dandy Dons, and I can see us winning here by a couple of goals.

Hey, I was proven correct during the last international break, therefore making me a genius, and I believe I will be right again.

Jamie Cockburn can be found at Misery Hunters, external

Image source, SNS

Despite juggling European football for the first time in 37 years, St Mirren have continued their steady Scottish Premiership form under Stephen Robinson.

After 13 games, the Buddies sit pretty in sixth, which was aided by an important seven-point takeaway from their three games before the international break.

In their last, a win at Easter Road, it was the return of wide man Conor McMenamin. Someone who suits St Mirren's style of play to a tee.

From the 17 goals they've scored in the league this season, 12 have come from open play.

Scott Tanser has notched up 13 successful crosses, only Kilmarnock's Matty Kennedy has more, while Marcus Fraser has 11 of his own.

However, of the 22 goals the Buddies have conceded, 13 have come from open play too.

After a promising start, goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe has struggled with saves, and has the poorest save percentage of any goalkeeper to play 11 or more games (55.1%).

Switching on a little at the back and becoming alert to their own strengths would boost their bid for yet another top-six finish.

Image source, Getty Images

Motherwell's Tawanda Maswanhise and St Mirren's Jonah Ayunga netted their first senior international goals in Zimbabwe's 1-1 draw with Kenya.

The sides met in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and Ayunga's second half goal cancelled out Maswanhise's first half opener.

Zimbabwe international Maswanhise got his first start for his county on Friday night and topped it off with his first senior goal for the African side.

Ayunga also netted his first senior goal for national side Kenya.

The striker earned just three senior caps before his start and goal on Friday night.

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions on St Mirren.

Eddie asked: Tom, where will the Buddies finish this season?

Tom answered: I like manager Stephen Robinson a lot. My numbers tell me they're seven points down on where they were this time last season. They have scored fewer goals and have conceded a few more.

I still don't think they're going to be far away from sixth. They're one of maybe four clubs that are going to be nip and tuck for fifth and sixth place.

I'm certain it'll come down to a fine margin. And it could be refereeing decisions, it could be injuries. Are they lucky or unlucky? It could be in January that you just find somebody. One person that makes a difference, whether it's a goalscorer, whether it's a defender. There are desperately fine margins between a number of these clubs.

But what they all have in common for me is they've got good managers who know their way around this league. And that's what makes it pretty compelling.

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