St Mirren

Should the game go ahead, defender Gallagher Lennon, son of former Celtic player and manager Neil, could make his Dumbarton debut, having joined on loan from St Mirren. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip

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Kwon Hyeok-kyu has been making a big impression at St Mirren, despite not even playing any games yet.

The 22-year-old joined from Celtic on loan until the end of the season last week, and has been a hit with his manager and team-mates - on and off the pitch.

“Kwon has been excellent, he has fitted in really well,” Saints boss Stephen Robinson said.

“Football-wise he has been excellent on the pitch. He has taken to what we are trying to do and it is a compliment to the staff here that we have been trusted to try to develop him because he hasn’t had loads of game time.

“But Celtic signed him for big money and we can see why. He is a talented boy. He will be available to play.”

“He’s a character as well so we have really enjoyed him and we found out he was a good singer as well. That was entertaining. I don’t know what he sang, it was in Korean but it was better than most of our lads.”

Defender James Bolton also heaped praise on Kwon's initiation song: “The best initiation I have ever seen. The voice wasn’t great but for energy, the best I’ve ever seen.

“I don’t think anyone was expecting it either. I think everyone was just expecting him to sing a Korean song that nobody had heard of and it was a Korean song, but he got us going. He was class. He was crackers, but very good. He’s a really good lad and I think he will fit in.”

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St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has been facing the media ahead of his side's Scottish Cup fourth round match against Queen of the South.

Here were his main points:

• Says Kwon Hyeok-kyu has been "excellent" since joining from Celtic on loan, and has "fitted in really well" in dressing room with an impressive initiation song.

• Kwon will be available to play in the cup tie against Queen of the South.

• On more January signings: "I’m looking to bring one if not two more in, another forward and potentially competition at left-wing back."

• Says Queen of the South are a "tough" prospect in the cup, and that Marvin Bartley is a "very good young coach".

• Wants his side to be "fully focused" on the tie to avoid any cup upsets.

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St Mirren midfielder Keanu Baccus came on as a second-half substitute for Australia, as the Socceroos beat Syria 1-0 to reach the last 16 of the Asian Cup.

Jackson Irvine's clever turn and finish, shortly after Baccus was introduced, saw Graham Arnold's side qualify for the knockout stages with a game in hand.

Australia finish their group campaign against Uzbekistan on Tuesday, 23 January.

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Finally, the football is back.

St Mirren get under way in the Scottish Cup as they welcome League One Queen of the South to Paisley.

Who would you like to see Stephen Robinson name in his starting line-up? Pick your team here.

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Elvis Bwomono says he's determined to show St Mirren fans what he can do as The Buddies return to action following the winter break.

The 25-year-old has been integrating with his new teammates after a successful trial period, while also joining in the squad for their training camp in Spain.

Having made his debut at the start of the month against Celtic, he's now hoping to make his mark on the side.

"I really feel part of it," Bwomono said. "Obviously, I played 30 minutes against Celtic, it's a tough game to come into. Playing against them and making my debut was a nice feeling. The scoreline was difficult.

"The stadium is really nice. The fans do a really good job of packing it out. It's a hard-working club.

"Everyone pulls together in the same way from top to bottom. Everyone has the same ambitions for the club and really want to take the club forward.It's a really nice club to be at and a really good project to be involved with.

"I feel like it's time for me to play. I feel like it's time for me to show the fans what I can do.

Asked what qualities he'll bring to Paisley, he added: "A really hard-working player. Honest, up and down the wings. Defensively sound, I like to think and chip in with a few assists when I can.

"I demand a lot for myself. I know the last part of the season is really tough and I'm looking forward to it."

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Andrew Christie, Misery Hunters Podcast, external

As I trudge through January snow I have to wonder if St Mirren – spending the winter weeks in sunny Spain – might be absolutely at it.

My personal grievances aside, the training camp at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia has given Stephen Robinson the opportunity to take stock of the season so far and look ahead towards what’s to come.

With the manager keen to add to December’s signing of right-back Elvis Bwomono, the past week has seen one incoming and one departure of note.

OUT: Alex Greive – Dundee United (loan)

The Kiwi striker was something of a revelation when he came to Paisley in January 2022, and seeing the youngster swap amateur football in New Zealand for the SPFL was a fairytale that reminded us why we love football.

Two years, 76 appearances and nine goals later, Greive has found game time in the black and white hard to come by of late, featuring in just under 600 minutes in all competitions, generally off the bench.

When news circulated that Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin (the man who brought Greive to Paisley) was looking to bolster his attacking options, a loan move to Tannadice made perfect sense for all parties involved, particularly with Greive’s contract coming to an end in the summer.

Greive’s attributes – intelligence of movement, tireless workrate, and a knack for being in the right place at the right time – give him every chance of excelling in the Scottish Championship.

Not to mention that the rekindling of his relationship with former gaffer Goodwin could be exactly what the New Zealand international needs to kick his game on a level, whether his future lies in Paisley or elsewhere.

IN: Kwon Hyeok-kyu – Celtic (loan)

South Korean defensive midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu joined Celtic in the summer as one of his country’s most hotly tipped youngsters. Since arriving in Glasgow, however, he has barely featured. His only first team action coming in James Forrest's testimonial in early August.

It should be contextualised, of course, that Celtic don’t tend to have a requirement for a holding midfielder/number 6 domestically. This, coupled with the embarrassment of riches in Celtic’s midfield, meant that game time was always going to be hard to come by for the South Korean U23 cap.

With Keanu Baccus currently at the Asian Cup with Australia, Stephen Robinson was wise to jump at the chance to strengthen the midfield depth.

From a brief look at Kwon’s numbers, he profiles as a ball-winning defensive midfielder, with attributes pointing to a role at the base of the midfield. Playing Kwon in the number 6 role will allow the likes of Mark O’Hara to move further forward and benefit the team as a whole.

Despite a downturn in form towards 2023’s end, Saints sit in fifth place at the Premiership’s halfway point, with 29 points from 22 games. The past week’s business show that Robinson has a clear idea of what is needed if we are to reach our potential, and in my mind, we should be very optimistic about our ability to do just that.

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The January window is a curious beast.

Notoriously tough to navigate, you never quite know what quality of player is going to stumble through the door and be thrust into the madness of a midway season. Sometimes, they're a revelation. Sometimes, they're rotten.

We're asking you to cast your mind back and tell us the best player St Mirren have signed in a winter window, and the January transfer that still gives you nightmares to this day.

Let us know.

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Stephen Robinson has been chatting to club media , externalwhile on St Mirren's training camp in Spain.

Here's what he had to say...

On Pinatar training camp:

"We've come to a beautiful environment to work the boys and get them ready for the next bit of the season. The facilities are top class. First and foremost, I don't think we'd have been able to train at home because of the weather and the state of the training pitches, so it's a blessing really that we've come.

"It's not a holiday, we're here to work. You get a lot of time on the pitch. Coaching the boys and being able to take your time with it in the environment is hard because you're freezing cold and soaking wet."

On loan signing Hyeok-Kyo Kwon:

"He comes with great quality. Celtic signed him for a lot of money. He's shown in the three or four sessions that he's got a lot of talent. We're trying to get him up to speed and fitness levels as he hasn't played very many games, but he certainly looks like a very good addition."

On Keanu Baccus being away with Australia:

"I'm happy he keeps getting man of the matches and hopefully he's back soon. Of course, we want him to do well. He's earned that right to play for his country. He's work ever so hard. He took a gamble coming across, he took less wages to come to the UK. He's getting his rewards, but we'd like to have him back sooner rather than later."

On youth players joining camp:

"We've brought three younger boys that we believe in the next 18 months can make up the squad and bolster our numbers. Two wing-backs and a centre-half we've got with us. It's important we integrate, important we bring in the academy boys who have done really well. The ones at home will see that there are opportunities, that you can come and make an impression.2

On January signings:

"We're always looking to improve. We want to bring another signing in before the window closes - if not, two - but they have to be better than what we have. They have to either strengthen the squad and put pressure on the people that are playing, or strengthen the starting XI. That's the difficult bit. The board will back us as much as they can, but I don't want to bring people in just to make the numbers up."

On first half of the season:

"If anybody had said we'd be fifth in the table at the turn of the year, we'd all have been delighted. When you taste a little bit of success, expectations rise. We don't want to settle, we want to keep improving."

On Scottish Cup tie with Queen of the South on Saturday:

"It's a home tie, which is a positive for us. It'll be a tough game. We know what to expect from them. We want to start with a positive result and a positive performance going into the Rangers and Hibs games."

Former St Mirren goalkeeper Denis Connaghan has died aged 79, following a short period of illness.

He joined St Mirren in 1966 from Renfrew and made 127 appearances for the Buddies, before joining Celtic in 1971.

Connaghan also played for Morton, Clyde, Arthurlie, Yoker Athletic and in America with Baltimore Bays.

A St Mirren statement read: "The thoughts of everyone at St Mirren are with Denis' loved ones at this sad time."

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Celtic loanee Hyeok-Kyo Kwon made his first appearance for St Mirren as the Buddies picked up a friendly win in Spain.

Joining the Buddies camp at Pinatar Arena last week, the South Korean got 45 minutes in his legs during a first-half which saw a Lewis Jamieson brace and a Zach Hemming penalty save.

Both St Mirren and an Association of Spanish Footballers select side made a number of changes at the break, before Toyosi Olusanya made it 3-0.

Though their opponents pulled back two late goals, Stephen Robinson's side held on to notch a win ahead of their return to Scotland on Thursday.

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Australia kicked off their Asian Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over India in Group B.

Keanu Baccus played 82 minutes next to Jackson Irvine in midfield, impressing in only his sixth cap.

Goals from Irvine and Westerlo defender Jordan Bos gave Graham Arnold's side all three points. They still have games to come against Uzbekistan and Syria to come before the knock-outs.

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson is "delighted" to sign "highly recommended" Celtic midfielder Hyeok-kyu Kwon on loan until the end of the season.

The South Korean signed for Celtic in the summer, but is yet to make an appearance for the club.

"He’s a player that comes highly recommended," Robinson said. "Celtic were very keen for him to come to us which is a complement to the coaching staff here.

"He’s played a lot of games in South Korea and was signed by Celtic for big money. It was an area we needed to strengthen in midfield and with Keanu [Baccus] away at the Asian Cup it was important that we strengthened there.

"We believe that he will come in and add that strength. He breaks up play really well and he can start play really well for us as well. I’ve had some good conversations with Brendan Rodgers about him and we’re delighted to have him in."

Mark Jardine, Misery Hunters podcast

Now that we're at the halfway point of what has been an up and down season for St Mirren, it seems fitting to reflect on the campaign up to now.

Season so far: 8/10

Fifth place after more than half the season has to be considered a roaring success in Saints terms. A couple of quieter months after a searing start knocks it off a perfect ten, but I'm a happy man.

Best player: A toss-up between loan keeper Zach Hemming and resurgent left-back Scott Tanser, with Hemming probably the more consistent of the two.

If you'd told me I'd be giving you that answer back in July, I'd have asked some serious questions. But, fair play, both have been outstanding.

Most disappointing player: This feels harsh to type, but probably Mark O'Hara.

However, that's only in comparison to the exceptionally high standard he set for himself last season. His opener at Pittodrie on 30 December felt like something of a turning point, only for a penalty miss a short time later to even things out. Hopefully the winter break helps the club captain recapture his debut season form.

Manager rating: 8/10

I'm unashamedly a bit of a cheerleader for Robinson and the difference he's made to the club since succeeding Jim Goodwin. Things aren't always perfect, but I've seen us toil to maintain top-half status in the second tier, so 18 months of mostly top-six standing is more than enough for me. The winter months have been a bit patchy, but I've full confidence in what remains of the season.

Predicted finish in table: 5th

Anything is possible in such a tight league, and any final placing around midtable security should be considered a relative success. However, I've full belief that the Saints will focus on building on the position they currently hold as opposed to slipping away.

We asked for your thoughts on St Mirren's summer recruitment, now we're halfway through the season.

Here's what you had to say:

Adam: Zach Hemming has been a great piece of business for us this season. He has produced some top class saves and looked assured in goal.

William: Best summer signing has to be Zach Hemming. He has earned points for the Buddies and we must hope to have him for some time before his return to Middlesbrough.

David Currie, BBC Sport Scotland

So, it’s the second week of 2024 and I finally got round to hanging the new St Mirren club calendar on my son’s bedroom wall. I asked him to do it on New Year's Day, but you know teenagers, what can I say?

I must admit to a frisson of excitement as I opened the first page to see which players heralded the month of January.

I beheld the smiling coupons of Keanu Baccus and Ryan Strain... What a disappointment.

Don't get me wrong - they are two of the Buddies' best players. But neither will be available when the Premiership comes out of hibernation. It's almost a case of: 'Here's what you could have won!' Or 'the Curse of the Calendar'

Baccus is with Australia at the Asian Cup in Qatar and so will be missing until the middle of February and Strain, who would probably have been with him had he not been injured on international duty last year, will be out of action until the spring.

To be fair, St Mirren aren't the worst affected Premiership side because of the Asian Cup and Afcon, and Strain's been out for a while now anyway, but Baccus' edge and creativity will be missed in what looks like a tricky post-break period with league games against Rangers, Hibs and Dundee after a cup tie at home to Queen of the South.

Stephen Robinson isn't the type to use injuries or unavailability as an excuse for performances or results though. He sees them as an opportunity for others to show what they're made of.

Time then for Elvis Bwomono to step up to the plate at right wing-back. The 25-year-old Ugandan international recruited last month is now eligible and we'll soon find out if he can emulate Strain's start of season form. Don’t worry folks, Uganda haven’t qualified for Afcon!

And might Buddies fans expect a couple of new arrivals? Well, Alex Grieve's departure for Tannadice on loan suggests there's space in the first team squad – and maybe cash for wages too.

By the way, I'm hopeful that Baccus' absence from these shores will deter potential suitors from prizing him away from Paisley in this month's transfer window – every cloud and all that.

A couple of additions might be necessary to maintain the push for a European place or even stay in the top six. As will a bit of good fortune on the fitness front.

We really don’t want the Curse of the Calendar striking again.

Spoiler alert! February features in-form goalkeeper Kyle Hemming and back-up keeper Peter Urminsky.

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Former St Mirren striker Steven Thompson says the Buddies' incredible start to the season was "unsustainable".

Speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, the Sportscene presenter has urged the Paisley side to use the winter break to "re-focus" as they look to restore their form and avoid dropping out of the Premiership's top six.

"Obviously, last season was brilliant," Thompson said. "I think every St. Mirren fan really enjoyed it.

"When you are successful as a team and as a footballer, expectations rise and that's just natural. But I think they need to be neutered a wee bit when you're a St Mirren fan.

"The start to the season was incredible, but it was unsustainable. I don't think anybody would have felt as though St Mirren were going to continue to win every game and to be unbeaten and sit second in the table.

"We have dropped off it in terms of the amount of games that we're winning and the regularity of the games that we're winning. But there's a lot to be positive about from the first half of the season. We are in a very, very strong position in the league.

"However, to caveat that, I do feel as though since September was the last time we won back-to-back league games, we've been winning a game every five games, losing some, drawing the odd one here and there.

"If we continue to perform like that, or with that ratio of victories, then we're not going finish the season in the top six.

"It's important in this break that Stephen Robinson and the team regroup and refocus in terms of trying to pick up wins on a more regular basis in the second half of the season, purely because I feel as though the teams below us haven't really hit their form yet.

"You look at Aberdeen, they've got four games in hand on us. Dundee have four games in hand on us, Hibs have two games in hand on us.

"You feel as though as the second half of the season progresses, then we're going have to win more games. That goes without saying."

Amy Canavan is joined by former St Mirren striker Steven Thompson and Pie & Bovril founder Div McDonald to review the Buddies’ season so far.

• Listen and subscribe to the podcast here.

St Mirren fans, with the season on pause for the winter break, we want to know which of the club's summer additions has impressed you most this season and why.

Get in touch about the club's transfer business here.

St Mirren forward Alex Greive has joined Dundee United on a short-term loan, subject to Scottish FA approval.

The New Zealand international joined St Mirren in 2022, when United boss Jim Goodwin was manager in Paisley.

Greive, 24, has scored nine goals for the Buddies and has netted twice in 10 international appearances.

“I’m looking forward to working with the manager again and helping the club get back to the top flight where they belong," Greive told United's website.

And Goodwin added: “Alex is a very intelligent player with good movement and an infectious work-rate.

“He keeps a cool head in front of goal and will enjoy playing in our team given the number of chances we create on a consistent basis, complimenting the strikers we already have at the club."

Dundee United visit Inverness Caledonian Thistle in Friday's Scottish Championship match, which is live on BBC Scotland and iPlayer.

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