St Mirren

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• St Mirren are unbeaten in three league games against Rangers (W2 D1), their longest such run since going five without defeat from August 1983 to August 1984.

• Rangers have conceded more goals in their past two league visits to St Mirren (four) than they had in their previous 10 beforehand (three).

• St Mirren are one of two sides, along with Aberdeen, yet to score in this season's Scottish Premiership, while only Dundee (nine) have mustered fewer shots than the Buddies (13) in the division so far.

• Rangers have drawn both of their league games this season; on only seven occasions have they failed to win any of their opening three matches of a league campaign, most recently in 1989-90 under Graeme Souness.

• Having drawn both of his Premiership games in charge so far, Russell Martin could become only the second Rangers manager to fail to win any of his first three league matches in charge of the club, after John Greig, who won none of his first six in 1978.

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Stephen Robinson insists St Mirren are "massive underdogs" in Sunday's visit of Rangers despite beating the Ibrox club twice last term.

Russell Martin has endured a stuttering start to his Rangers tenure with Premiership draws against Motherwell and Dundee, plus a 3-1 first-leg defeat at home to Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off.

But Saints manager Robinson is braced for a formidable test.

"A very tough game, Rangers have still got some very, very good players," he said.

"Russell's only into the job of building a brand new team. They've shown that they can hurt people. They've shown they've got some really talented players.

"Make no mistake, we're certainly the underdogs and we have to produce our best performance to get a result.

"Rangers are a huge football club that have spent a lot of money on building their squad. On paper, we shouldn't get anything out of the game, but football's not played on paper as I've alluded to many, many times.

"We are very, very respectful of the team that we face. They're a strong side with players with individual brilliance that can hurt you. Rangers should beat us most times that we play. There will obviously be shocks. We have to be at our very, very best to get anything out of any game against Rangers or Celtic.

"I don't think the expectation has changed in terms of what should happen, but we have defied the odds, and we'll have to play to that same standard again to do that against a team that's evolving, a team that Russell's put together.

"Certainly, we've got the belief against every side. We don't fear anybody. We will go and we'll play how we play. It's always about mentality. You have to have a belief.

"We've got the ability to do that and we'll be approaching the game with a real positivity. I know how good a side we are. I know what we have in this building and we'll continue to go quietly about our business.

"It would still be a massive result to get any result over Rangers, we are massively underdogs. We have to turn up and be at the very top of our game."

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before St Mirren host Rangers in the Premiership on Sunday.

Here are the key lines from his press conference:

• Robinson says his side are "massively underdogs" against "huge club" Rangers despite the difficult start under Russell Martin: "They've again spent a lot of money on building their squad. So we should not get anywhere near them."

• Saints beat Rangers twice and drew once last season, and Robinson says: "They should come and beat us. So no, I don't think the expectation has changed in terms of what should happen. But we have defied the odds and we'll have to play to that same standard again to do that against a team that's evolving."

• Robinson is hopeful his side can "exploit" Rangers' weaknesses and says his team "don't fear anybody".

• He believes when St Mirren win "everybody puts it down to physicality and organisation because we're a small side" but points out "we play some very, very good football as well".

• Robinson is "always active" as the transfer deadline looms, but is looking for someone who is "better than what we've got in the building".

• He is "no closer" to adding a new striker to the squad.

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

Alex Gogic volley. 1-1. St Mirren through in the end. Match report done. Let's talk about penalties.

Few in the loyal cohort of following the Buddies will have forgotten Mark O'Hara's relentless first year in black and white. The now-club-captain was instantly installed on spot-kick duties and repaid that decision over and over again.

Since then, however, penalties have been a source of stress in Renfrewshire. Since missing two in a fortnight at the end of 2023, O'Hara has not been the go-to. Greg Kiltie, Mikael Mandron and Toyosi Olusanya all had opportunities to nail down the role before being denied. This uncertainty has resulted in a conversation rate hovering around the two thirds to three quarters mark, in a side which often can't afford to pass up the advantage.

Last season, in a situation so comparable that you could accuse me of starting from here and constructing the rest of the column around it, the Jam Tarts culled our Scottish Cup run in a shoot-out at the SMiSA Stadium. These penalties came at the end of a 1-1 draw, devastating the Saints who had led for much of the tie. See? Spooky.

On that night, Oisin Smyth followed up a composed Boxing Day penalty, crucial to turning over Rangers, by missing the opening Saints effort. James Scott, never quite capturing his moment in Saints colours, missed the following attempt and the away side walked it in from there.

The 25/26 St Mirren side appear to be a different animal. Roland Idowu, so composed when called upon twice last season, could quite rightly have expected to have taken official penalty taking duties along with his new number seven shirt as a permanent Buddie. Delegated the third Saints penalty in Saturday's shoot out - the Irishman made no mistake yet again and preserved his 100 per cent record.

Malik Dijksteel and Marcus Fraser, though probably not seeking top-billing of regular duties, did all that was asked with a remarkable lack of fuss.

Evan Mooney, still only 17 but growing his reputation gradually, scored his penalty in that previous Hearts defeat. The teenage prospect grasped the opportunity yet again and dispatched what was probably the pick of all ten penalties taken on the day. Ice in the veins and talent in his feet, surely he has nailed down that responsibility when on the park?

Ladies and gentlemen, Richard King. The Jamaican international has slotted in comfortably to the Saints' back three, showing the same confidence and composure exuded by the now departed Richard Taylor. The centre-half, based on his previous effort from the spot against Annan, would appear to have been handed the baton. Two taken, two scored, both perfect.

The Buddies have now scored seven penalties in a row, dating back to March. With King, Idowu, Mooney and more to call upon - that run may well get longer and longer.

Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Winger Malik Dijksteel revelled in a dream home debut for St Mirren after converting the winning spot-kick in the shootout to knock Hearts out of the Premier Sports Cup.

The 24-year-old Dutchman, who signed from Cork City this summer, praised the atmosphere in Paisley as Stephen Robinson's men progressed to a quarter-final at Kilmarnock or Dundee United.

"What a way to make my home debut," Dijksteel told BBC Scotland.

"You always think about these things before the game, the first game at the home stadium.

"I was a bit nervous but for it to go like this, I'm very happy. The atmosphere was great.

"You always want to change the game and make an impact in the game, especially as an attacker. For me to do that through the penalty, I feel good about it.

"You just want to see the boys working hard, you want to be part of it. I was happy to come on.

"I've seen three games now and the atmosphere here, I don't think you find this anywhere else. I'm happy to be part of it and can't wait to get going and score more goals.

"I'm still learning. The Scottish league is different than the Irish league. I definitely feel confident, once I get going I'll hopefully score more goals."

We asked for your views on St Mirren's win on penalties against Hearts in the Scottish League Cup.

Here's what some of you said:

Eddie: We were very good in the first half and a great goal from our trojan Alex Gogic, that man is a leader and a stalwart! Rode our luck a bit in the second half but all that counts is we are in the draw. Derek McInnes was gutted, maybe they are not the second best team in the league.

Douglas: An exciting game spoiled by bad refereeing. Saints deserved their win although Hearts came more into it in the second half. McInnes has problems with his squad, an overrated side.

David: Excellent performance for the first 60 minutes until we started to run out of steam. Great to see so many of the new signings settling in so quickly, with Stephen Robinson's coaching they will all surely improve. I don't think we will have anything to fear from anyone this season.

St Mirren prevailed on penalties against Hearts to reach the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals after a tense match in the Paisley sunshine.

Shamal George's save to deny Claudio Braga resulted in the only unconverted spot-kick in the shootout as the Buddies avenged last season's loss on penalties to Hearts in the Scottish Cup.

Give us your thoughts on St Mirren's win.

Read the full match report.

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "If you're gonna win it, that's the way to win it. We were very comfortable in the first half, should've been more up.

"We defended really well when we needed to. What a way to win, a wee bit of luck at last in the cup and hopefully a decent draw.

"We pressed properly today, the way we always press. Hearts have got millions of pounds beyond our wildest dreams, but we've got charatcer, we've got quality.

"I don't think I have my best team on the pitch yet, but overall delighted with the character they showed."

We asked for your views on St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson's new deal that keeps him at the club until 2028.

Here's what some of you said:

Eddie: Great piece of business by the club. Robinson has been immense and this gives the club stability and hopefully continued success going forward.

Norman: The best bit of business the club has done this summer. Robinson has a plan for St Mirren and it looks as if he wants to see it through. For me he has surpassed Alex Ferguson in what he has achieved and influenced at St Mirren.

Kate: Absolutely thrilled. Robinson is a fantastic manager and it's great the club sees that. He seems to be happy there too and always striving for more. It's made my Friday!

James: Robinson's tactical, everyone knows that. Less obvious is his fantastic psychology - they way he supports and nurtures the players to be the best they can be, the measured way he's dealt with some VAR stuff last year, the way he takes responsibility as part of a bigger machine - that is rare stuff.

Rarer still are his principles. To get shot of three talented players last year must have been a sore one to take, but the message to the rest of the team, the fans and to football is clear: there is a way to play and conduct yourself. Under Robinson, St Mirren are strong through and through, long may it last.

Scott: Robinson was already on his way to being one of St Mirren's greatest managers, but a six-year stay alongside what he has already achieved is remarkable. The future is looking good.

Alistair: This is a brilliant piece of business and thoroughly deserved for his hard work. We have grown so much with him at the helm and look forward to many more years of punching above our weight.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media after signing a new contract as St Mirren prepare to face Hearts in the Premier Sports Cup this weekend.

Here are the key points from the press conference:

• Contract talks had been ongoing "for a while" and Robinson is excited about the future and has "the same enthusiasm for the job that I had when I first took it".

• He is a "realist" but more determined than ever to be successful: "What we have to try and do is make sure we achieve things more often than what was being done previously. The first time in nearly 40 years we were in Europe and 38 years in the top six. All those kind of stats have been spread out over the last three years. We have to build an infrastructure and a team process that allows that to happen a lot more often."

• St Mirren is a "good" place to be: "It's tough because we don't have the finances to get a ready-made product. There's a lot of hard work and the staff deserve so much credit for what they've done over the three years. I believe the board have rewarded them for that."

• Robinson also aims to bring more young players through and "just keep developing this football club. The commercial side and all the off-field activities, Keith [Lasley] and his staff are doing a tremendous job".

• The support is "growing all the time" and Robinson adds: "They're realistic. It's a really good fanbase, a really strong fanbase that's growing all the time. The growth of the football club is massive. The football club is built on fans."

• Hearts are in form and led by "top manager" Derek McInnes but Robinson says: "It's a game we believe we can win. We've shown against all the top sides in the country that we are very, very competitive."

• On the importance of cup competitions: "I'm not too bothered how we get through but we will have to find a way to get through. Our chance of silverware is the cups. You need luck, you need your form and you need things to go your way but that is certainly a top aim of ours this season."

• On the use of analytics in recruitment: "Everyone uses a certain level of data now. I believe it's a really good identifier too. I also believe you need the human eye, you need people with real expertise in the field to have an opinion and a process in place. To have that level of data and expertise that Jamestown Analytics and [Hearts investor] Tony Bloom offer is fantastic. It's fantastic for the Scottish game."

• Robinson, who would like to bring in a striker before the transfer window closes, adds: "You have to use every tool that you can to get players in. We use a lesser version of that of course financially but we use data to identify people. Then it's up to [recruitment head] John Park and his staff and it filters down to myself eventually with the best four or five players. Then I ultimately have the choice of who to bring in."

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Stephen Robinson is determined to build on the "incredible achievement" of three consecutive top-six finishes after signing a contract extension as St Mirren manager.

The Northern Irishman and assistant Brian Kerr are now tied down under summer 2028.

"I'm glad the board have appreciated the hard work that Brian and I have done over the last three years," Robinson told the St Mirren website.

"It's been an incredible achievement for the whole group of staff at the football club – both on and off the pitch.

"I feel like we're right at the start of another process. There's a lot of hard work to get done, but we're all aiming to push it in the right direction."

Saints fans, how big is this news for the club? Is it a real sign of intent, especially as Robinson was linked with English clubs in the summer?

Tell us your views.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

My little grey cells were in overdrive trying to think of a clever Oasis reunion-related pun for a St Mirren intro but I was struggling.

Then out of the blue like a champagne supernova (whatever that is) St Mirren re-signed an Australia international and, hey presto, Don't look Baccus in anger fell into my lap. Better to be lucky than good right enough.

After Liam-like eyebrows were raised last summer when Keanu Baccus left the Buddies for Mansfield Town, who were newly promoted to the third tier of English football, his return last week was an even greater surprise.

I didn't expect the Socceroo to go straight into the team a couple of days after signing either, even though manager Stephen Robinson said he expected him to hit the ground running.

It was a tough shift for Baccus against a Motherwell side that dominated possession, but he was probably one of the Buddies' better performers on the day. He is clearly going to be an important player for St Mirren this season in a midfield Robinson says is one of the best in the league. No pressure then.

Baccus alongside Killian Phillips and Mark O'Hara in the middle of the pitch looks a formidable trio, with the Australian adding a wee bit of extra creativity.

Shamal George looks to be settling in well between the sticks and again St Mirren appear solid defensively with Miguel Freckleton staking a claim as successor to Richard Taylor alongside stalwarts Marcus Fraser and Alex Gogic.

There's pace and guile in the team too, with much expected from a fit-again Conor McMenamin and Roland Idowu.

The squad looks healthy with competition for places all over the pitch, but the Buddies could be doing with another striker to replace force of nature Toyosi Olusanya and challenge Mikael Mandron for a starting place.

Do you think there is any chance Olusanya might do a Baccus and return to the club where he made his name?

The Englishman hasn't featured much for Houston Dynamo since his switch to the MLS after all. I'd like to say Definitely, Maybe, but the best I can muster is Highly unlikely.

Wonder (wall) if there's any chance of John McGinn pitching up at the SMiSA.

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

Keanu Baccus sat by his window in Mansfield, day-dreaming the summer away from the anonymity of the scary end of the League One table.

The Australian couldn't help but let his mind wander back to the old gang in Paisley. A year may have passed since swapping Ferguslie Park for Sherwood Forest, but there they were still upsetting teams who don't like being closed down or tackled, coasting to the top six yet again on a wave of niggly fouls.

*Tap*

What's that at the window?

*Tap* *Tap*

Why, it's Stephen Robinson and John Park tossing up wee stones in the front garden! Park is holding a boombox aloft which is blaring Under the Moon of Love by Showaddywaddy, Robinson is making the "Can I get the cheque?" signature gesture over a two-year contract with the option of a third.

And that, I assume, is how the lovable Messi-pocketing Socceroo came to be back in Paisley this past week.

Similar to the commencement of his first spell, the relentless midfielder was called on for a full 90 minutes while the ink on his signature could still be smudged.

The midfield equation containing equal parts Mark O'Hara, Killian Phillips and Baccus is still to be fully balanced. Phillips has made the right-hand side of a midfield trio his own since arriving at the SMISA Stadium, leaving Baccus to slot into the central holding role vacated over the summer by Caolan Boyd-Munce.

Interestingly, this new combination allowed O'Hara to be sacrificed for attacking reinforcements in the second half without compromising much by way of battling and pressing. These three parts could well be rotated as duos as the season progresses, allowing Robinson to get two wingers on to the pitch with greater regularity.

Saturday's game itself, despite the fever-pitch build up as a home opener and chance to see Baccus once more, fizzled out to little excitement.

Jens Berthel Askou's Motherwell have the mild air of Simo Valakari's early St Johnstone - visibly comfortable on the ball though hesitant to do much with it.

In an off day for the Buddies, the home side managed more shots on target (and better chances they were too; eminently buriable) despite very limited possession. For stats fans, that's a shot on target for every 71 attempted passes compared to the Steelmen's 200.

A midfield with Baccus back at the helm will likely not spell passive tiki-taka, but should make the experience of playing the Saints an unpleasant one for almost every opponent this season.

Bring it on!

Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Russell Martin has indicated that Rangers will play their next Premiership fixture away to St Mirren, but says a final decision has not been made.

The Ibrox club have the option to postpone the match if they overcome Viktoria Plzen and reach the Champions League play-off round.

Martin's side hold a three-goal lead going into Tuesday's second leg in the Czech Republic, thanks to a Djeidi Gassama double and Cyriel Dessers' penalty at Ibrox.

Celtic could hold a seven-point lead over their Glasgow rivals if they beat Livingston and Rangers do not play St Mirren, sparking questions as to whether postponement might add more pressure to Martin's side after two opening league draws.

Centre-half Nasser Djiga potentially missing that Celtic visit should the St Mirren match be delayed, following his red card in the 1-1 draw against Dundee last weekend, added more concern.

"No decision has been made either way," Martin said.

"We were told that the option would be there. I think the plan has always been to play the game, if we get through this.

"So it's been flexible but the league table this early on will not dictate what we do with the game, honestly.

"We're not even at the end of August yet. So we'll see, but our league position, the points total and all that stuff will not dictate what we do with the St Mirren game at all.

"At the minute, I expect we'll play it. And if that changes, because of whatever reason, we feel it will help us."

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Keanu Baccus said he was returning to his "home away from home" after re-joining St Mirren just over a year after leaving for Mansfield Town.

Manager Stephen Robinson said the Buddies have "arguably one of the best midfields in the league now",

So, how did the Australian international fare on his return to Scottish football, as his side drew 0-0 with Motherwell?

Well, two shots on target, a couple of attacking actions in the box, and a team-high nine passes in the final third could well be the start of him trending towards the dynamic midfielder many Paisley punters will remember.

Five out of his eight long passes found a team-mate, with 23 of his 31 passes being accurate as he completed 90 minutes in the goalless draw.

It was a relatively cagey game, with the visitors dominating the ball, but Baccus and co stood firm and denied them any real sights at goal.

A controlled and promising return for Baccus.

Watch highlights of St Mirren 0-0 Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your thoughts on St Mirren's 0-0 draw with Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Cameron: This was the type of game St Mirren struggled to win last season. Still too early in the season to say there is no change.

John: Poor stuff from the Buddies. We continue to look disjointed in the middle of the park, and desperately need a striker with pace and an eye for goal.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Keanu Baccus has "more to show" for St Mirren as he settles into life back at the Paisley club, after his brief sojourn to Mansfield Town.

The Australia international joined the League One club last summer but only spent a season in England before returning north of the border.

"I want to do my all on the pitch for this club," he told BBC Scotland. "They gave me the chance from Australia.

"It's definitely a home away from home. I definitely want to do more and I've got more to show than last time, so I just want to improve each week and get better as a player and hopefully help the team climb up that ladder."

Buddies manager Stephen Robinson admitted the move to get Baccus back all happened quite quickly, when he heard the midfielder would be moving on from Mansfield last week.

Asked if there were other options on the table, Baccus replied: "Oh, it doesn't matter now. We're at St Mirren, we signed and I'm happy to be here so I just want to get cracking."

"My partners family's here, my baby's from here, so it's great to have that comfortability off the pitch but ultimately I want those performances on the pitch as well."

Baccus helped St Mirren to Europe in his first spell, while also making it to the 2022 World Cup where he started against Argentina in the round of 16.

"We want to go in Europe again. I had to watch from a distance last season when they were there, and it looked great, I want to experience that myself."

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "It was a poor game overall. We certainly weren't at our best today.

"Motherwell passed the ball around a lot in their own half of the pitch without really getting anywhere and I take responsibility for it.

"We overthought the press a little bit and they were expecting us to press with real positivity and I don't think we did. But I take the blame for that. We probably complicated it a little bit. On the ball, as a group, we can be a lot better.

"But we still had the best chances of the game and arguably should win the game. There's improvement all round. Keanu Baccus was excellent. I thought Miguel Freckleton was excellent as well. Some good performances and others that can be a lot better, which they know.

"We knew they'd play a lot at the back. I imagine they expected us to press them more aggressively than what we did and, as I say, I take full responsibility for that. I may have complicated that a little bit more than we needed to, instead of just pressing in a straight line. We'd spoken about that at half-time. It was better in the second half.

"We took the ball off them on lots of occasions, high up the pitch, but we didn't take advantage of that press, unfortunately, and probably a draw is a fair result in the outcome.

"Even though we didn't play well, there was half-chances, there was decent chances. Our decision-making as a group has to be better and will be better.

"We're a more creative team than what we showed and players will play better than what they showed today. We know that. But, all in all, we take a point."

St Mirren and Motherwell failed to adapt to blustery conditions as the sides played out a goalless Scottish Premiership draw in Paisley.

Read the full match report here.

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