Killian Phillips celebrates his openerSNS

Killian Phillips has been linked with a move to the MLS in America

At a glance

  • Craig McLeish's first league game as permanent St Mirren manager ends in victory

  • Killian Phillips scores either side of break to make difference

  • Falkirk have goal controversially ruled out for handball after lengthy VAR intervention

Highlights: Falkirk v St Mirren

01/08/26

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Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Killian Phillips' double ensured St Mirren got their Scottish Premiership campaign off to a winning start with victory at Falkirk.

A first-half goal at the near post put the Paisley side on their way, although it looked like Falkirk had equalised with Ben Parkinson's first touch of the ball after the break.

However, video assistant referee Don Robertson called referee Duncan Nicolson across to the screen to review whether Deniss Melniks had handled the ball when nodding to Parkinson in the area.

After a lengthy check, the goal was controversially chalked off.

Had it been a leveller, it would have come against the run of play. St Mirren had passed up two golden opportunities to extend their lead after their goal and looked set for a comfortable three points.

Phillips should have had his second in the first half when St Mirren flowed up the right-hand side, knocking it all the way down the right and then on to the penalty spot where the Irishman waited, but he could not find a way past Scott Bain.

That was also the case when Eseosa Sule capitalised on a slack back pass, but the young striker couldn't finish when one-on-one.

Thankfully for head coach Craig McLeish, they weren't made to rue those errors.

Late on, Roland Idowu charged clear and unselfishly squared to Phillips, whose deflected effort trundled past Bain and in to seal the points.

Analysis: St Mirren earn statement win as Falkirk flounder

Given Falkirk's position last season - sixth - and St Mirren's - 11th - this might have come as some surprise to the casual viewer.

However, the arrival of McLeish has brought a new era of footballing style in Paisley and, at times, it paid off.

Phillips' chance just before half-time was the perfect embodiment of what it can be when it all comes together. Flowing, one-touch, attacking and attractive. The only problem is that these moments have been fleeting in the early stages of the season.

The hope is that with the likes of Spaniard Samuel Ramos, Rangers loanee Paul Nsio, young Chris Mochrie all signed in the summer, they now have the squad to pull off this tactical revolution.

St Mirren xGOpta

While Hearts have made the headlines for having their squad stripped for parts, the same could be said for Falkirk.

Calvin Miller, key playmaker, gone. Barney Stewart, top goalscorer, gone. Filip Lisa, defensive Swiss Army knife, gone. Dylan Tait, midfield orchestrator, gone.

Finding adequate replacements for one of those, let alone all four, was always going to be a hard task. John McGlynn worked magic in the loan market last season and he may have to do the same again.

Last season exceeded their wildest dreams, with a top-six finish in their first campaign back in the topflight and a Hampden semi-final. Early indications are that this year will be far tougher.

There were chances. Jack McMillan, Finn Yeats and Ross MacIver all passed up opportunities, with the latter particularly guilty. If they are to avoid danger, they must be far more clinical.

What they said

St Mirren manager Craig McLeish: "This is a really hard place to come and we showed quality on the ball at times, we counter-attacked well, which was part of our game plan, and we dug in and fought when we had to.

"We could have had one or two more goals if the final action had been a bit better, but I'm absolutely delighted with the group. The boys coming off the bench gave us real energy."

Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "I thought we dominated the second half, we get a goal. It's denied on a handball which I've not seen. We're huffing and puffing and then from our corner kick, we lose a goal. It's crazy. We've been punished for not doing an awful lot wrong.

"Have we done enough to really say that we deserve to win that game? Probably not. We've not created enough, we need a little bit more quality. But early days, there's always going to be a quick turnaround. But we have to pick up points quickly."

John McGlynn on Falkirk being 'naive' in St Mirren defeat

What's next?

St Mirren host St Johnstone next Saturday, while Falkirk travel to Motherwell on Sunday (both 15:00 BST).