St Mirren

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has explained how Declan Gallagher's desire for more game time and the availability of "very good defender" James Bolton led to the Scotland cap's sale to Dundee United.

Bolton has signed a one-year contract after leaving Plymouth Argyle.

"James is a versatile player that I've known from down in England in his time at Shrewsbury, Portsmouth and Plymouth," Robinson told his club website.

“He'll bring a vast amount of experience and he's a very good defender.

"He gives us another option in there and adds to our numbers with Declan leaving. This was the reason we allowed this to happen, because we knew we had someone else coming in.

"We need to get him up to speed, but he's a fit boy. It's another quality player in the building."

Gallagher spent a season with St Mirren after leaving Aberdeen last summer.

"Declan had an opportunity arise to move to Dundee United and he’s from Dundee, so it’s something that works well for him,” Robinson added.

"He hasn’t played as much as he wanted to since the World Cup and we couldn’t guarantee him those minutes.

"I’ve worked with Declan for a long time and I couldn’t deny him the opportunity to move closer to home with his family and the chance to get more game time."

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James Bolton says former Rangers, Hamilton Academical and Hibernian midfielder Greg Docherty helped in his decision to join St Mirren.

The 28-year-old English defender, who has signed a one-year contract after leaving Plymouth Argyle, was a team-mate of the former Scotland Under-21 international while Docherty was on loan to Shrewsbury Town.

"I spoke to Greg Docherty and he loves Scottish football and said the Scottish Premiership is very good - and everyone I've spoken to can't speak highly enough of it," the 28-year-old Bolton told St Mirren's website.

"It feels brilliant. It's all happened quite quick, but I'm really excited to be here and excited for the challenge.

"I had a good discussion with the manager on the phone and he really welcomed me here. I know St Mirren did well last season finishing top six and it's just about progressing from there and keep pushing on."

As for what kind of player St Mirren fans can expect, Bolton adds: "I'll give 100%. I think that is something that has nothing to do with ability and just a willingness to win.

"On the pitch, I feel like I am quite calm on the ball and will put my head in there."

Stephen Robinson insists “nobody will remember the score” against Cowdenbeath if his St Mirren side progress in the Viaplay Cup.

The Buddies needed a stoppage-time winner from Toyosi Olusanya to secure the three points against their Lowland League hosts on Tuesday.

“These games, everyone thinks you turn up and win 10-0 - it never, ever happens,” said Robinson.

“It was a tricky surface and their goalkeeper was absolutely superb. He had the game of his life, he was outstanding and you have to give Cowdenbeath credit for their energy and work-rate.

“But, credit to my players, they kept going and delivering ball into areas and hit the targets.

“If we progress in the competition, nobody will remember the score or what time we scored at.

“Our quality in certain areas wasn’t good enough, we delivered better crosses in the second-half, but good teams win games and we found a way to win.

“We’ve given ourselves and opportunity to progress in the competition and it’s in our hands, so we’ll go about that in the right manner.”

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has already lined up a replacement after selling Declan Gallagher to Dundee United for an undisclosed fee.

Defender Gallagher, 32, departs after making 32 Saints appearances and earning a Scotland recall since joining from Aberdeen last summer.

Robinson said he couldn't guarantee Gallagher regular game-time and the move to Tannadice "works well" for the player.

"We will receive a fee for Declan and have already targeted a replacement that we hope to sign today subject to a medical," added Robinson.

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Toyosi Olusanya's injury-time winner ensured St Mirren grabbed a vital Viaplay Cup group win at fifth-tier Cowdenbeath.

The Premiership visitors were frustrated by their Lowland League hosts, who had Kevin Smith dismissed late on, for 94 minutes before Olusanya bundled in his first goal for the Paisley club.

The victory means St Mirren's hopes of progression are in their own hands as a win at home to Group H leaders Forfar Athletic on Saturday would secure top spot.

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Buddies fan Div McDonald is hopeful some of St Mirren's summer signings can be the answer to the Paisley side's troubles on the road which occurred last season.

Stephen Robinson has recruited Conor McMenamin and Mikael Mandron so far this window and Div - like many Buddies no doubt - is hoping they'll make some noise, particularly away from home which became a bit of a fortress last season...

"Our home form was outstanding, that's why we ended up top six. The SMiSA became a nice play to go - you looked forward to home games," he said on BBC Scotland's Scottish Football Podcast.

"The stadium was rocking, the attendances went up, we were scoring goals, playing good stuff, beating good teams... the 2-0 win against Celtic will live long in the memory.

"We competed with everybody in the league at home, but we just need to be better on the road, we struggled a bit there... do we have a plan b? When the 3-5-2 isn't working, I'm not massively convinced we know what our plan b is.

"Maybe now, with extra pacey forward players coming in we will have of a threat on the counter on the road.

Buddies fan Div McDonald joins David Currie and Liam McLeod to preview the upcoming campaign from a Paisley perspective.

Give it a listen here.

St Mirren could do with a repeat of Saturday's win against Arbroath when they make the trip through to Cowdenbeath on Tuesday night.

At least one change will need to be made after Greg Kiltie left the ground on crutches after the 4-0 victory, but, would you be making anymore?

Pop yourself in Stephen Robinson's shoes and pick the side here.

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Stephen Robinson hopes he’s found the solution to St Mirren’s scoring woes with new strikers Stav Nahmani and Mikael Mandron.

Both were on target in the 4-0 Viaplay Cup thrashing of Arbroath on Saturday and manager Robinson said: “Last year we were fifth or sixth in the league for creating chances and the worst in the league for hitting the target, so it’s something we had to try to rectify.

“By bringing in two strikers – and hopefully one more in the coming weeks – it adds to our options and firepower. Stav showed how to finish today – two chances, two goals.”

On-loan Israeli Nahmani, 20, shone on his debut with a quickfire second-half double after coming off the bench.

“I got him through the same contacts we used to get Ryan Strain from Maccabi Haifa and so far, so good,” added Robinson.

“He’s a goalscorer, he needs to learn the Scottish game as it’s physical and you need to be fit and strong. But if he gets the chances he’s going to score goals, which gives us a lot of hope.

“Big Mandron was a lot better today. It’s hard, you get judged instantly in this competition, but boys haven’t played for six weeks.”

Midfielder Greg Kiltie left the ground on crutches after being forced off in the first half with an ankle injury that Robinson admits is a “worry”.

"We’ll know more about that on Monday," said Robinson. "He's been excellent in pre-season and we can't afford to lose players from a small squad."

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Stav Nahmani made an explosive debut off the bench as St Mirren thrashed Arbroath 4-0 to rally from their opening Viaplay Cup defeat.

Having lost 1-0 at Montrose last time out, Stephen Robinson's men had little margin for error but made light work of the Championship side in Paisley.

French striker Mikael Mandron netted his first Saints goal, heading home Ryan Strain's cross to give the hosts a 10th-minute lead that was doubled by captain Mark O'Hara before half-time.

Israeli forward Nahmani then stole the show in the first appearance of his season-long loan from Maccabi Haifa, netting twice in eight minutes as he displayed frightening pace and unerring finishing.

With three points from their opening two games, Robinson's side lie third in Group H.

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St Mirren host Arbroath in the League Cup on Saturday looking to bounce back from their shock opening defeat to Montrose.

Would you make sweeping changes for this one? Pick your St Mirren side here.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has hinted that Stav Nahmani will make his first appearance for the club against Arboath on Saturday, having arrived from Maccabi Haifa earlier this week.

“He certainly won’t start the game, he has not played competitively for eight or nine weeks now.” Robinson added.

“He has had three or four days’ training now so hopefully the game allows us to get some competitive minutes for him and we have arranged a couple of games for the week after the cup finishes.

“There are a few forward players who need some game time. We are asking a lot of the forward players who have come in, we have to get them up to speed very quickly.

“We looked like a team finding our way and hopefully another week of training and coaching and fitness will show on Saturday.”

Robinson also indicated that the club are close to bringing in another striker on loan.

“Last week there were a lot of balls going into the box and a lot of chances and we didn’t take them,” he said. “We need more options in the forward area.

“We have brought Stav in, he is a young boy with lots of pace and he is a very, very good finisher.

“And we want to bring one more in. I will know more later but it’s something we are relatively confident on. It would be a loan. We want someone in until Christmas before Jonah (Ayunga) is fully fit again.

“I would imagine that’s my squad set if I get another striker in but you never know. If bids come in, you have to be able to react.”

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Fancy new signings are well and good, but nothing quite beats a young player breaking through.

Seeing one of your own light up the first-team scene with their burgeoning talent carries extra resonance and pride. Simply put, they get what it means to pull on the colours.

So, who is the exciting youngster ready to make the step up at St Mirren and have a big impact this season? Tell us here.

Indian club Bengaluru FC have signed former forward Curtis Main, most recently at St Mirren. (Sun), external

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