St Mirren

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.

Have your say here.

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Saints hope to include Keanu Baccus if work permit issues are finalised while James Scott and Alex Iacovitti have both moved to Ross County.

Winger Malik Dijksteel is doubtful through illness while Liam Donnelly (Achilles) remains out.

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is optimistic Liam Gordon will shake off the injury that forced him off against Rangers.

In-demand Lennon Miller has trained all week while Jordan McGhee (thigh), Sam Nicholson (knee) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) are out.

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson believes he now has one of the best midfields in the Scottish Premiership after re-signing Australia international Keanu Baccus.

The 27-year-old returns to the Paisley club - where he made 72 appearances in his previous spell - having spent last season with Mansfield.

"If you look at our midfield players, Liam Donnelly has still not featured really with injury, but the strength we've got in there is, for me, arguably one of the best midfields in the league now," Robinson said.

"Which is amazing to say as manager at St Mirren.

"I genuinely believe, perhaps outwith Celtic, we've got five really, really good players in midfield. Killian Phillips, who is on fire at the moment, a full international footballer. Keanu Baccus, a full international footballer, captain Mark O'Hara, Liam Donnelly, Oisin Smyth.

"I believe we've got really, really good midfield players that can match anybody on their day."

Baccus was keen to return to Paisley for family reasons and also boost his chances of playing in the World Cup after becoming the first St Mirren player to achieve that feat back in 2022 with Australia.

"We stay in touch with all the players that leave the football club, so we knew there may be an opportunity that we could get Keanu back again," Robinson added.

"When we found out, we moved straight away.

"He's a very, very good addition to the squad. Keanu knows exactly what way we play. He knows the expectations at the football club now. So he'll slot right in there and be a big part of the squad.

"He's found a home here. He's loved here. Fans love him, the staff love him, the players love him and he got a brilliant welcome when he came in the door from the boys.

"Sometimes things just work for you, sometimes you just fit in certain places and we believe Keanu works very well at this football club and we aim to get him back into that international squad."

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James Scott has joined Ross County on a season-long loan, with St Mirren having the option to recall the 24-year-old in January.

The forward joined the Saints on loan from Exeter in January 2024 before signing a permanent two-year deal last summer.

Scott has made 34 appearances for the Paisley side, netting one goal and contributing four assists.

"James is someone that I've known for a long time, he has so much talent, but we've just not been able to get the best out of him and we feel like a new start for him will help him go and get his confidence back," said manager Stephen Robinson.

"I believe Ross County are getting a very talented player and a great kid as well."

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Defender Alex Iacovitti has left St Mirren by mutual consent to rejoin Ross County.

The 27-year-old moved to the Buddies last summer from Port Vale on a two-year deal.

Despite being dogged by injuries, Iacovitti made 23 appearances and scored three times for Stephen Robinson's side, including goals in Conference League qualifiers against Valur and SK Brann.

He has signed a one-year deal at County, where he previously played over 100 games before moving south in 2023.

"Alex was very unfortunate as he had numerous injuries last season which made his season really stop-start," Saints manager Robinson said.

"We won't forget his goal away to Brann and the joy that brought to so many people. But Alex is at an age where he needs to play football and we didn't want to stand in his way."

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Keanu Baccus is returning to his "home away from home" after rejoining St Mirren just over a year after leaving for Mansfield Town.

The Australia midfielder made 72 appearances and scored four goals for the Paisley side in his two-year spell before leaving for the English League One side, where he made 43 appearances.

Baccus returns on a two-year deal with the option for an additional 12 months.

"I'm buzzing to be back," said the 27-year-old, who featured at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

"They were some of the best times of my life, on and off the pitch, especially on the pitch.

"It was a year away, but it felt like longer. Knowing the staff and everyone else makes it a little bit easier to settle in. It was definitely a no-brainer and I can't wait to get started.

"I probably call this a home away from home and it's nice to be wanted. I just want to find my form again, continue to grow and learn and help the club as best I can."

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson said: "Keanu has worked with us before so he knows what we want from him and he knows the levels required. He brings a wealth of experience and loads of energy."

• St Mirren have only won two of their past 15 league meetings with Motherwell (D7 L6), and are winless in five (D3 L2) since a 1-0 victory in September 2023.

• Motherwell have only lost one of their past 10 Scottish Premiership away games at St Mirren (W5 D4), a 1-0 defeat in January 2023 under Steven Hammell.

• St Mirren ended the 2024-25 campaign by going unbeaten in their final five Scottish Premiership home matches (W3 D2), and they have won their opening home fixture in both of the past two seasons: 3-0 vs Hibernian in 2024-25 and 2-1 vs Dundee in 2023-24.

• Motherwell have won their opening away game in just one of their past eight Scottish Premiership campaigns (D3 L4), but it was a 1-0 victory at St Mirren in 2022-23.

• In Motherwell's 1-1 draw with Rangers on matchday one, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos had the most shots (five), the most touches in the opposition's box (nine) and contested the most aerial duels of any player (six).

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

St Mirren held firm against the reigning league champions but were undone by a late Celtic goal.

Goalkeeper Shamal George more than played his part in a hugely creditable St Mirren performance against Celtic.

Came so close to keeping them at bay, with a little help from his woodwork.

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

In the last 190 minutes or so of football the Saints have played at Celtic Park, the home side have led for a combined eight minutes.

As a percentage, that's roughly the same conversion rate as Adam Idah on the weekend's evidence.

There are arguments that would contend opening your season account away to the reigning champion on flag day is "sub-optimal" and I'd give them some weight. However, I think it suited Stephen Robinson and I'll tell you why.

As is tradition, the Buddies have not had it all their own way in the League Cup group stage. Bedding in a healthy number of new signings and arriving after only the briefest of Spain-based fitness whirlwinds, the Saints took two games to find their stride. This near-annual mountain to climb seems to disproportionately affect our side and can create just a little disquiet to commence a season.

Having lost five of the side who just scraped to a third consecutive top-half finish, this disquiet can amplify the voices of those who panic early and decide that this is the season where it all falls apart.

Sunday's battling performance against a side of substantial means, and almost all of the possession, was peak Robinson. It was a more in-your-face reminder than your phone alarm on its fifth lap of the snooze function being thrust into your consciousness by a disbelieving spouse (or so I've heard).

New Buddies Richard King, Shamal George, Jayden Richardson and Tunmise Sobowale got the memo and gave every impression that they'll fit right in. Last-ditch tackles, brave plunges into 50/50 challenges and lung-busting chases against Daizen Maeda and the like.

Essentially, it was 110% effort and a deflected pot shot away from the hardest-earned of points.

And suddenly, we're feeling hard done by with a point at Celtic Park and looking like more than the sum of our parts.

Maybe, just maybe, everything's going to be alright once again.

Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Mirren defender Alex Gogic admits defeat at Celtic Park was "a sore one" but says the squad will "look forward" to their next fixture, and not lick their wounds.

St Mirren defended stoutly for 87 minutes against Celtic, with a Luke McCowan strike that deflected off Buddies' captain Mark O'Hara being the only breakthrough.

The Saints' rear guard received plenty of plaudits as they frustrated the champions for large periods of the game, very rarely allowing Celtic to create any clear-cut chances.

"Maybe we could have been better on the ball in the first half", Gogic told BBC Scotland. "But we defended so well, and then to concede with a deflection, maybe it wasn't meant to be."

"I think as defenders, we just love defending and we realise that's our first job. We work on it every day. It was a good test for the first game, and I think we did well."

And despite an opening-day defeat, Gogic maintains he and his team-mates will take positives from the loss, especially from their defensive display.

He added: "You want to play against the best players, and obviously they [Celtic] have some of the best players in the league. When you do well, you're confident after it and you're happy with the work you've done."

Next up for St Mirren is a home game against Motherwell. And the Saints defender insists his thoughts will quickly turn to that game and trying to get off the mark this season in the league.

"The games come quick though, you can't sit and look back.

"We've got to look forward and we've got a big game coming up, so we need to go and get three points. I think at home we've always been good, we've always played very well and we always want to get three points. We can't wait for the next game."

Watch the Sportscene panel discuss St Mirren's defensive performance in their 1-0 defeat to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on St Mirren's 1-0 defeat against Celtic.

Here's what some of you said:

William: This was a game played by two very good sides and both had the opportunity to make the final result more than one goal. I thought St Mirren at times rode their luck but they certainly deserved a point. Their defending was excellent and a work ethic to give the supporters a great deal of hope in the weeks to come. It was despairing to lose by a late deflected goal.

Douglas: Basically backs to the wall for most of the match, and any attack into Celtic's last line was hampered by lack of control or any incisive penetrative runs. Yes, you can praise the defence with Richard King looking assured, Alex Gogic stoic and resilient, and Jayden Richardson looking better than in the League Cup. What worries from this performance was the failure of our forwards to hold the ball up, to put in the incisive pass or to take the chance when it was offered. We won't be judged on this game alone, but Motherwell, Rangers and Hibs follow close behind in the league and it will be interesting to see where we are after these four games.

Iain: A disciplined performance, we rode our luck for sure. Thought we were going to hold on. The Celtic subs made all the difference, I wish James Forrest would retire!

Watch all the highlights from Celtic's 1-0 victory over St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic began their Scottish Premiership season with a victory, but were far from convincing as they struggled to break down a resilient St Mirren.

Have your say on the game

Read the match report here

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "If you are going to get beat, you prefer a 25-yarder in the top corner with a bit of quality.

"A deflected goal so late on is frustrating. We are disappointed in the changing room but also know the levels we've shown as well.

"We said whatever the result, we want to show who we are - we're St Mirren.

"We worked on the five or six opportunities to counter and we didn't quite make the passes, but I can't ask for much more in terms of work ethic and organisation - we will show more quality in the final third - so we are proud of the boys but disappointed and that shows how far we've come."

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Celtic winger Jota is a long-term absentee while Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey will not feature even if his loan move is finalised.

St Mirren could include new signing Malik Dijksteel while Evan Mooney has recovered from an ankle injury.