St Mirren

• St Mirren have won both of their matches in the Scottish Premiership this season; the last time they won three consecutive matches in the league was in August 2022.

• Since the beginning of last season, only Kyogo Furuhashi (29), Kevin van Veen (25) and Lawrence Shankland (25) have scored more Premiership goals than Aberdeen’s Bojan Miovski (17). Miovski has scored three in his four league matches against St Mirren.

• After a run of seven straight victories in the top flight between February and April, Aberdeen have since won just one of their last seven in the league (D2 L4).

• St Mirren are unbeaten in their last six home league meetings with Aberdeen (W4 D2), winning their last three in succession.

• After their 3-0 win in May, Aberdeen are looking to pick up back-to-back league victories over St Mirren for the first time since a run of four in a row from January 2015 to December 2018.

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Toyosi Olusanya is eyeing a "statement season" with St Mirren after an injury-disrupted first year with the club.

The 25-year-old forward spent the second half of last season on loan at Arbroath but has hit the ground running with Saints this term, scoring twice in seven appearances so far.

"This is a statement season for me, being on my last year here and the age I am, I feel that it's time for me to knuckle down and show people what I know I can do,” said Olusanya.

"First and foremost it’s about having a season where I can play 20-30 games without an injury, it’s been a number of years since I've done that.

"Also, it’s just about showing people what I can do. When I spoke to the gaffer he says we can see what you can do, but it is about showing other people what you can do.

"He feels that there have been times when injuries have held me back or I have done things which have got me success, then I have reverted back to things that don't help me get success.

"It is about being consistent throughout, really, the past couple of seasons I have had injuries, almost as an excuse, but now I feel I am not going to get injured, I'm injury free.

“I'm in a good head space and I want to prove to myself I can do it. I am keeping positive."

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson insists there was “absolutely no malice” in Charles Dunne’s tackle which left Motherwell’s Mika Biereth out for three months with a knee injury.

Robinson's counterpart, Stuart Kettlewell, was angry that the former Fir Park defender had seen only yellow for what he called an “absolutely horrendous tackle” on the on-loan Arsenal star in the 1-0 Viaplay Cup defeat in Paisley last week.

“There is absolutely no malice," Robinson said ahead of his side's weekend meeting with Aberdeen. "He has got the ball and slipped with his back leg. I am sure if Stuart sees it back with the angle I have seen it he will know that.

“I spoke to Stuart after the game. There is no animosity. He was obviously annoyed, he has lost one of his best players.

“We had a similar incident with Jonah against Motherwell and he ends up being out nine months. There was no malice or intent in that tackle. There is a couple of months before he is back and longer before he is 100 per cent fit.

“These things happen in football unfortunately without any malice or intent.

“Everyone has their own opinions on it but it won’t be a tit-for-tat for me. I have a lot of respect for the Motherwell boys.

“I know Charles can look people in the eye and say there was absolutely zero intent on that and ultimately we don’t want to see anyone injured.

“Charles is a super boy. There is no malice in Charles."

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St Mirren have made the perfect start to the league season, sitting second in the Scottish Premiership with two wins from two.

If you were in Stephen Robinson's shoes, would you make any changes to the starting line-up for Sunday's home game against Aberdeen?

Let us know what your St Mirren XI would be here.

St Mirren midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce, still basking in the glow of his League Cup winner at the weekend, is lapping up the happiest spell of his career.

The 23-year-old Northern Ireland international netted his first Saints goal on Saturday to knock out Motherwell and send Stephen Robinson's men through to a quarter-final against Hibs.

Boyd-Munce, who moved to Paisley on a short-term deal in March before signing a one-year extension this summer, told the club's website: “It's comfortably the happiest I have been.

"It's a different type of football than I've been used to. I've come from other clubs in England where it's been constantly about being on the ball, playing through the thirds and here is different.

“I'm really enjoying it, more than I thought I would have.

“It [the goal] felt really nice but it was more satisfying that we held on for the win. The fact it was the winner was really satisfying.

"I think the last six games you can see it starting to come but there's a lot more in the tank. On the ball there is more to come.”

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Mark Jardine, Misery Hunters podcast, external

On 25 July, St Mirren were a couple of minutes away from drawing against non-league opposition and exiting the League Cup at the group stage for a second season running. Step forward Toyosi Olusanya and that all now all feels like a distant memory.

Since that late July night in Fife, the Saints have added another four victories, culminating in this weekend’s cup battle with Motherwell. On this occasion, it was another Saint who stepped up for his first moment of real glory in the black and white.

Caolan Boyd-Munce showed flashes of ability but mostly patience in his first season with the Buddies, joining on a now-extended short-term deal towards the beginning of the calendar year. However, in a reshaped side and in the absence of club captain Mark O’Hara, the Northern Irishman had his moment in the spotlight and grasped it tightly.

Launching a booming drive into the top right hand corner of the away net, in front of those away fans, Boyd-Munce has a reasonable claim at this early point in proceedings for both a goal of the season nomination and a weekly starting spot.

Some of the post-match attention seems to have fallen on a Charles Dunne challenge and an unfortunate injury to Mika Biereth. The Motherwell man coming off second best in slippy conditions after Dunne had committed and taken the ball in a full-blooded challenge. Despite Stuart Kettlewell’s post match protestations and calls for anarchy in the streets, a perfect angle provided by Motherwell themselves in their match summary shows the truth of the matter.

A return to Easter Road, scene of a season-opening win for Stephen Robinson and his side, waits for the Saints in the quarter-final. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the Saints have all the evidence needed to go into get another challenge fearing absolutely no-one.

The date and kick-off time for the Viaplay Cup quarter-final between Hibernian and St Mirren has been confirmed.

The game will be played on Wednesday, September 27 at Easter Road, and has not been chosen for live TV coverage by Viaplay.

Image source, BBC Sport

We asked you for your views after St Mirren's Viaplay Cup win against Motherwell

Here's what you had to say:

Alan: Played very well today but could and should have scored more but at least we are creating the chances, the goals will come.

Andrew: We are doing well. Good performance, good overall, well done lads.

Stu: I thought St Mirren controlled the game, with Motherwell looking threatening on the break, but, right throughout the team we were solid. We could've won more comfortably.

Special mention for Gogic as well as Boyd-Munce for their workrate, but to be honest, every player was an 8 out of 10. Great stuff guys. Keep it up.

Jamie: Today they played brilliantly against Motherwell and defended brilliantly and should have scored two goals.

The ties will be played on midweek of 26-28 September.

St Mirren assistant manager Diarmuid O'Carroll: "It was two good sides right at it, we could've made it two or three. Over the course, I think we deserved it.

"We won't get too excited, but clubs like ourselves want to progress in cup competitions.

"We don't fear anybody. On our day, we feel we can compete with the best in the league."

Caolan Boyd-Munce's stunning winner was worthy of claiming the award alone, but the St Mirren midfielder's all-round play was also impressive throughout.

A fine day for the 23-year-old, who opened his account for his new club in style.

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Were you in Paisley on Saturday or did you follow the match elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson is targeting a cup run and the finances that come with it, as his side prepare to face Motherwell in the Viaplay Cup on Saturday.

Robinson has pedigree in the domestic cups - the now-Buddies boss guided Motherwell to both cup finals in the 2017-18 season, and would love to carry the Paisley side's excellent early-season form into the League Cup.

“The reality is we are probably not going to win the league this season, but you have always got a chance in cup competitions because they are one-off games where anything can happen," Robinson said.

“It raises the profile of the football club, it brings finances in, and it alerts players that it’s a platform to go on to bigger things, and you are in the spotlight.

“You get a lot of attention and publicity the further you go in the competition; there is certainly a big goal from our point of view to progress as far as we can.

“It raises the profile of everybody, helps to attract players and puts cash into the coffers that we can use to strengthen the squad and grow the numbers and grow the football club as a whole.

“We have good quality in the squad but a few more numbers would be great and a cup run helps. It eases the pressure on finances and allows people to support even more than they do.”

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has been talking to the media before his side's second round Viaplay Cup tie at home to Motherwell on Saturday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Robinson is targeting the League Cup - the Buddies boss believes that "you have always got a chance in cup competitions because they are one-off games where anything can happen".

• Says that a cup run is hugely beneficial to the growth of the football club, as it "raises the profile of the football club, it brings finances in, and it alerts players that it’s a platform to go on to bigger things".

• Insists that he is happy with the quality in his current squad, but caveated that by saying a few extra bodies would be "great".

• Spoke about facing former club Motherwell, and praised the work done by Stuart Kettlewell - "he has got them organised, they are a very disciplined side, and I think he has made very good signings as well.”

• Captain Mark O'Hara is out with a thigh injury, while long-term absentee Jonah Ayunga also misses out.

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Daldeep Kaur, BBC Sport Scotland

Life is pretty sweet for St Mirren right now. They're keeping pace with champions Celtic after two wins from two in the Premiership and have a Viaplay Cup quarter-final spot in their sights this weekend.

A shock opening loss at Montrose raised the prospect of a chastening group-stage exit for the second season in a row, but the Buddies quickly righted themselves and reeled off three straight wins without conceding to top the group.

The last-16 draw could have been kinder, but you won't go far in any cup competition without beating top-flight sides. And a home tie is never a bad thing.

Saints have found this weekend's opponents Motherwell a tough nut to crack in Paisley over recent years, with their 1-0 league win in January last season their first against the Steelmen in nine home meetings.

Should Stephen Robinson's men triumph again, hopes will be heightened of a return to Hampden for the buoyant Buddies 10 years on from their famous League Cup triumph.

Since lifting the trophy for the only time in 2013, the Paisley men have struggled to go deep in the competition, with a semi-final appearance in 2021 their best effort.

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And then there were eight...

The draw for the quarter-finals of the Viaplay Cup will take place on Sunday after the Kilmarnock v Celtic last-16 tie (15:00 BST kick-off).

Quarter-final matches are due to be played in the midweek of September 26-28.

The last 16 kicks off on Friday night as Aberdeen visit Stirling Albion (19:45).

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St Mirren host Motherwell on Saturday in an all-Premiership tie in the second round of the Viaplay Cup.

Stephen Robinson's men are looking to continue their fine early-season form and seal a spot in the last eight.

Who would you pick to get the job done? Choose your Buddies XI here.

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson wants to add a striker but says funds will only be available if players move on. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish Gossip

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Jamie Cockburn, Misery Hunters podcast, external

Stephen Robinson asked fans not to give two returning stars a hard time before Saturday’s match. Former Saints captain Joe Shaughnessy also did his best to get the home crowd on side, reminding Saints fans what they are missing by connecting with an early Conor McMenamin cross, looping his header over fellow ex-Saint Trevor Carson and into his own net.

Carson, however, gifted the home crowd the opportunity for more of their favourite activity, booing. After Mikael Mandron presented Dundee with a first half penalty, the keeper rushed to provide former and current teammate Shaughnessy with an urgent message to share with taker Zach Robinson. Having seemingly advised the Dundee man to hit his spot kick at the feet of Zach Hemming, this blew up in his face as the Saints stopper excellently saved the penalty.

The wind picked up shortly afterwards and I am assured by local weatherman Sean Batty that it was only a coincidence and not the result of mass booing around the SMISA arena.

While it is still early days, St. Mirren’s title challenge is still very much alive with the Buddies remaining one of only two teams in the top flight with a 100% record still intact. With some important players still to come back from injury, this could be history in the making for Stephen Robinson’s men.

Image source, BBC Sport

We asked you for your views after the Buddies victory against Dundee at the weekend.

Here's what you had to say:

Douglas: Saints played well in the first half then got away with it in the second. However, conditions were playing a part in that and Carson's long kicks put the backline under pressure for long periods in the second period. Bringing Bolton on to tighten up the backline helped and could maybe have played himself into next week's reckoning.

St Mirren shotstopper, Zach Hemming and fellow impressive summer signing, Conor McMenamin have made Sportscene presenter, Jonathan Sutherland's team of the week.

Hemming, of course, had that penalty save against Dundee and he was a steady presence between the sticks throughout the victory.

The Buddies made it two wins out of two to start the league season and the Northern Ireland international has been excellent since his arrival from Glentoran, making a huge difference in the 2-1 win.

Image source, Opta