St Mirren

Stephen Robinson has been hailed as the mastermind behind St Mirren's European success after they thrashed Valur 4-1 to progress to the next round of Conference League qualifying.

Broadcaster and St Mirren fan Ali DeFoy spoke to the Scottish Football Podcast after a historic night in Paisley, which she called 'the best night of her life'.

"He's got a great way of working with the players," DeFoy said. "He's got a great way with the fans.

"You can see how much it means to him on the sidelines. It takes over him sometimes, you'll see him running down the sidelines pointing fingers but it is great to see he's so passionate."

DeFoy worked at the club for a few years behind the scenes and was at the club when Robinson arrived to replace the departing Jim Goodwin in February 2022.

"There was a lot of rebuilding to be done for the style of play that he wanted and where he wanted to take the club and his vision.

"He's worked tirelessly in what he's done with the squad, what he's brought into the squad. There's been seven changes and we finished in the top six, so that in itself shows he's just constantly wanting to improve and grow.

"The fact that he has been there as a staple for a good few seasons makes such a difference. In Scottish football, and other other places as well, managers don't get that long.

"For a club to have such trust in a manager and to have them there for consecutive seasons, to be able to build a squad that he wants, the way he likes it to play, it seems to be going great.

"[Last night] I thought, 'yes, this is the kind of football we want to play'. To be in Europe, with the fans, and also have the performance to back it up, it was just so special. He's doing a brilliant job."

• Listen to the Scottish Football podcast on BBC Sounds or by clicking here.

Saints fans, were you at the SMiSA on Thursday night or watching from home? We want your thoughts on that impressive win over Valur.

Was it your first European night in Paisley? What did you make of the side's performance? How are you feeling about the game against Brann?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "It was a really professional performance. It's only our second game of the season, there's been seven changes from last year and the boys are still finding their fitness.

"We've worked on our corners tirelessly. We didn't score enough set plays last year, we've scored two tonight and we had plenty more chances. It's nice to see that rewarded.

"We worked so hard to get here last year, the boys have worked ever so hard to get into the next round. We have no fear. We're going to go and enjoy every minute of it. We've got players that can hurt teams. There's absolutely no reason why we can't get a result.

"I won't get too carried away about the group stages but that's obviously the aim. We've got games before that that'll test the squad.

"We need to be at the top of our game to progress. Can we improve on that performance? I believe we can."

St Mirren captain Mark O'Hara set up one goal and scored a stunner himself.

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While 0-0 away from home last week could never be regarded as a poor result, the onus was really on St Mirren to force the issue in their home leg and that they did.

An early goal always helps but St Mirren's intent to keep pressing rather than sit back meant Valur never really got a foothold in the match.

Also admirable were St Mirren's fitness levels against a side midway through their season.

Next week presents a stiffer challenge for Stephen Robinson's side, with next Conference League opponents Brann having overcome Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles in their tie, but by then St Mirren will have another 90 minutes under their belt.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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With the new Premiership season kicking off this weekend, BBC Sport Scotland have been taking a look at some new faces to keep an eye on.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson will be pleased with the early signs from his summer signings.

Brentford loanee Ellery Balcombe was St Mirren's star man in their Europa Conference League first-leg qualifier against Valur as he looks to be the Buddies' latest impressive goalkeeping signing, while Dennis Adeniran has looked influential in midfield after arriving from Hapoel Petah Tikva. Full-back Jaden Brown has also impressed after making his loan from Lincoln City permanent.

However, Dublin-born 22-year-old Roland Idowu could turn out to be the most exciting of them all judging from the midfielder's pre-season goals and influential direct running as a first-leg substitute in Iceland after arriving on loan from Shrewsbury Town.

Read the rest of Clive's piece here.

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St Mirren must use the "fanfare atmosphere" in Paisley to their advantage in their Conference League second round qualification tie against Valur, says Stephen Craigan.

Stephen Robinson's side drew the first leg 0-0 in Iceland having spurned a number of golden opportunities, but Craigan expects them to get the job done in front of what will be a raucous home crowd.

"There are upsets there if you're not careful, if you don't approach the game right or you're not in the right frame of mind but this St Mirren team are different," Craigan said on the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast.

"There's a real sense of togetherness, a real strong mentality.

"Robinson, his players and his staff deserve an awful lot of credit because they're the people that created the atmosphere, the energy and the enthusiasm for the football club.

"There's going to be a fanfare atmosphere tonight, it's going be electric, and the players have to use that in the early stages.

"They really have to get after Valur, don't allow them to settle, there's no point in having the big build-up and then being flat when the game starts.

"When you look at the chances they created last week, they have to take plenty of encouragement from it. Over the piece, I would like to think St Mirren can go through in this tie comfortably."

Andy Burke is joined by Stephen Craigan and Laurie Finlayson from The Killie View podcast to preview a pivotal night of European action for Kilmarnock and St Mirren.

Listen to the full episode of the Scottish Football Podcast here.

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Valur manager Arnar Gretarsson says Gylfi Sigurdsson will not be risked against St Mirren on Thursday night, as he keeps one eye on the Icelandic title race.

Former Swansea, Everton and Tottenham midfielder Sigurdsson, 34, has a back issue and has not travelled to Paisley for the second leg of the Conference League qualifying tie.

Valur are third in the Icelandic top flight, eight points behind league leaders Vikingur Reykjavik, and Gretarsson was wary of risking Iceland's all-time leading goalscorer against what he calls an "aggressive" St Mirren side.

"Gylfi Sigurdsson is not here," Gretarsson said. You can imagine (how big a blow). There have been quite a few games during the season already when he’s been out.

"Obviously, any team missing key players, it’s going to be difficult.

"Gylfi has a back injury. If for example we had two games left of the season, I think he would play.

"But we still want to try and finish in the first position in the league. We are running behind the current champions.

"Playing this game would maybe risk him being out for another two or three weeks.

"You want to be 100 per cent in these games. Playing someone at 90 percent, especially because of his status, the St Mirren players would always be more aggressive towards him.

"So he needs to be at 100 percent. That’s the way it is. We’ve played without him, we’d obviously love to have him, but that’s the case.

"But fortunately, we have quite a strong squad. Hopefully we can still put out a good team and manage to perform."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

"I believe we are stronger than what we finished with last season."

Those are the words St Mirren fans will want to hear from manager Stephen Robinson heading into the new campaign, given their fine fifth-placed finish last term returned them to European football after 37 years.

Their first game back in continental competition was a 0-0 draw away to Valur, during which a few of Robinson's summer signings played key roles - none more so than goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe.

The Brentford loanee's stunning display in Iceland, coupled with wasteful finishing from both sides, means the tie is in the balance at a sell-out Smisa Stadium on Thursday - an occasion Robinson says his players must "embrace".

Defender Shaun Rooney missed last week through suspension but will be available for selection for the second leg, while Dennis Adeniran and Roland Idowu will be pushing for starts following their impressive impacts from the bench.

"I believe that the signings will get better, we're right at the very start of our season," Robinson said.

"We've got some who have done well and hit the ground running, we’ve got others who I believe will get better with game time.

"We set out every window to try and be stronger, and I believe we are stronger than what we finished with last season."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Stephen Robinson addressed the media prior to St Mirren's Conference League qualifier second leg against Valur on Thursday.

Here are the key points from the manager:

• Robinson stressed the importance of "embracing and enjoying, rather than fearing" the occasion as the players have "earned the right to do so".

• He added there is "no point downplaying" European football's return to Paisley as "it's been nearly 40 years in the making".

• The St Mirren manager pleaded for "patience" from their "fantastic fans" on Thursday: "We won't win the game in the first five minutes".

• He said he is "always looking" for new players and a win on Thursday "would help that and be important for finances".

• Robinson joked his players won't be in Paisley on Wednesday to soak up the atmosphere as they would "get drunk and miss the game".

• He confirmed Shaun Rooney will be available but Mikael Mandron will have a late fitness test.

• And while Caolan Boyd-Munce's injury is not as bad as initially feared, he will miss Thursday.

Jamie Cockburn
Fan writer

Last season, eh? That was something. Stephen Robinson has given himself a tough task to try and repeat that.

For years, anything outside of a relegation battle would be seen as a success, but what does Robbo do after back-to-back top-six finishes and European qualification for the first time in 37 years.

It is very hard to predict what will happen this season. A lot of teams around us have strengthened, but so have we. I feel we have upgraded each position despite some key players moving on.

Ryan Strain was obviously a standout player for the Buddies, who could turn defence into attack at the flick of a switch, but fitness was a big issue for the Aussie international who only managed to play 17 league games last season, and very rarely lasted the 90 minutes.

Shaun Rooney is experienced and reliable, and the fact he will most likely play 90 minutes week-in, week-out, makes him an upgrade.

Zach Hemming also had a massive part to play last season between the sticks but Ellery Balcombe seems to be on a different level from what we have seen so far.

Keanu Baccus not being in Saints' midfield always seemed to make it weaker, but the additions of Oisin Smyth, Dennis Adeniran and Roland Idowu (already a fans favourite after two goals against Morton) will have us forgetting about Baccus this season.

So, what is a successful season for Saints this season? Registering a win against Derek McInnes will be enough for me.

• Predicted league finish: Sixth

• Standout player: Toyosi Olusanya

• Game most looking forward to: Hibs, first game of the season. Football is back baby.

Jamie Cockburn can be found on the Misery Hunters podcast., external

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Shaun Rooney has hailed the "amazing" impact manager Stephen Robinson has had on him since joining St Mirren.

The right-back also revealed the Northern Irishman tried to bring him to Paisley before he left St Johnstone to join Fleetwood, then managed by Scott Brown.

Although the defender "pied" Robinson to work under Brown - a "hero" of Rooney's - the St Mirren boss made sure he was first in line when the 28-year-old decided to move back up north.

"[Robinson] was the first person to come in for me when I came back up, so I jumped at it," Rooney told Sky Sports, external.

"They're a team that works hard and he's been amazing to work for so far. It's only been good vibes."

Goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe says St Mirren will heap pressure on Icelandic visitors Valur on Thursday, when the sides contest the second leg of their Conference League second qualifying tie in Paisley, and the score still 0-0. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

We asked you for your views following St Mirren's draw up in Iceland against Valur.

Here's what you had to say:

Douglas: I thought the Saints played very well, up to their opponents box... then the wheels came off. At least they created chances which is a plus but I'm afraid Mandron will not do. Slow, can't jump and gives up possession too easily. Should go through tie on Thursday nevertheless.

Paul: Great performance last night. Very proud of all of them. We'll thrash them in Paisley. A wee bit disappointed by Toyosi and Mika as performances like them will only add to the boo boys' ammunition. Mika was top scorer last year and Toyosi is a project coming good at the right time but to some loud voices they'll never be good enough.

Douglas: A very open game at times, perhaps too open, but I hope we don't rue our missed chances. We allowed them too much space down the left hand side and they used it effectively, but the defence overall was pretty good. For a first competitive game of the season, definite pass marks, but we have to sharpen up in front of goal.

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A large number of St Mirren fans are in "totally uncharted territory" as they watch their side in Europe for the first time, says Misery Hunters podcaster Andrew Christie.

The Buddies drew 0-0 with Valur in Iceland as they embarked on their first European adventure in 37 years, and Christie doesn't want his side to just make up the numbers.

"It's totally uncharted territory for such a big portion of the fans," he explained on the Scottish Football Podcast.

"It's been great listening to all the stories in the past few weeks from the old guard of what was like following St Mirren in Europe in the 80s when it was almost a given that European football was just something that St Mirren do.

"But for a generation of fans, it's a new thing and it's something that - although teams like us are very happy to be there - we don't want to just make up the numbers."

Just like fellow Scottish side Kilmarnock, St Mirren might consider themselves unfortunate to not go into the second leg of their European tie ahead.

"I'm quietly confident about our chances in the second leg based on the performance last night," Christie added. "I think we'll sharpen up up top, we'll of tighten up at the back and improve any bits of decision making. That end product will come.

"A good position with a score of 0-0, a week to prepare for the second leg and what will be a sold out St Mirren Park and, we could get used to this whole European football thing. The atmosphere will be incredible."

• You can listen to the entire episode of the Scottish Football Podcast on BBC Sounds or by clicking here.

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

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A tale of two teams missing chances, and a lot of them. St Mirren will be kicking themselves that they didn't score at least once.

Scottish teams in Europe often default to playing a lone striker, but Stephen Robinson opted to stick with his trusted two up front.

The Valur defence really struggled to deal with the pace, power and presence of Toyosi Olusanya and Mikael Mandron, whose tireless work created them chances all night.

Unfortunately for them, their finishing really let them down. Perhaps their evening was summed up best by a big chance missed in the 34th minute.

Olusanya opted to dummy Jaden Brown's low cross at the front post, presumably because he heard a shout from Mandron.

Inexplicably, Mandron also missed the ball at the back post as it ran behind for a goal kick.

They'll need to be sharper in front of goal in the second leg if they are to advance to the next round.

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

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What an introduction for goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe.

For all the chances that St Mirren missed, they gave up quite a few at the other end too.

Had it not been for the fine work of the Brentford loanee then Stephen Robinson’s side would be heading back to Paisley behind in the tie.

His first big stop came inside the first minute and he didn’t really get a break from that moment onwards.

The pick of his saves came in the second half when he kept out a close-range header from Tryggvi Hararldsson at full stretch.

The 24-year-old hasn't played much senior football in his career, but if that performance is anything to go by then St Mirren have found themselves a gem.