St Mirren

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Premier Sports Cup holders St Mirren go to Ibrox with confidence, but not because they are anticipating vulnerability from Rangers, insists head coach Craig McLeish.

The Paisley side have started the season with two Premiership victories after topping their cup group, while the hosts are yet to pick up a win in four games under Derek McInnes.

However, McLeish is not reading too much into early form as he prepares for the last 16 tie.

"Taking away Rangers' situation, we have to go into any game confident that we can win it and that's what we're going to do," he said. "There's no good time to play Rangers or Celtic away from home.

"People will talk or there'll be noise about what they're doing at the moment, but they're still a very good team, a very good outfit, well-coached, well-drilled and have some real top quality players that can hurt you any moment.

"You can't go into it thinking that they're vulnerable or whatever. They're a very good team.

"But at the same time we've brought a group of boys together here who don't go anywhere with any sort of fear and you have to find the balance of it and not leave yourself exposed."

In three league meetings with Rangers last term, St Mirren suffered two narrow defeats after an August draw at home.

McLeish was at Ibrox on Thursday to watch McInnes's team exit Europa League qualifying after a 1-1 draw with Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok, with home supporters in a furious mood.

"That stuff's always there," he said of the booing at full-time. "I experienced that here as well, any time you lose a game or moments aren't going well for you. All it takes is one goal, one result and everyone's back feeling good.

"Rangers have such a strong group of players and they'll continue to add to it throughout this window.

"There's never a time where you go and they are there for the taking. You have to prepare for them as best you can and not take your eye off the ball."

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

When sociologist Alvin Gouldner wrote in 1955 that "human action can be rendered meaningful only by relating it to the contexts in which it takes place," I'm confident he had the opening two weekends of the 2026-2027 Scottish Premiership in mind.

Context is everything, pulling in multiple directions.

In Falkirk, bruised by key player departures in the transfer window, St Mirren were presented with an opening away fixture that could have been worse.

In facing St Johnstone, freshly promoted yet leaning heavily on those that sealed the Championship, as an opening home opponent, the Saints were smiled on by an algorithm that last year had totaalvoetbal pioneers Motherwell visit in the same weekend.

Yet, in presenting these favourable arguments there was also danger.

Harsher assignments may well have lower chances of success, but greater opportunity for confounding expectations.

A late 1-0 loss to Celtic on opening day in Glasgow last year resulted in no points, but indisputable proof this was another iteration of Stephen Robinson's St Mirren capable of battling richer opponents to the very last.

A 1-0 loss to Falkirk or St Johnstone this season as a rookie manager seeks to establish himself and his ideas... chaos.

In balancing not getting carried away with making sure appropriate credit is given for two hard-earned victories, it is the details that matter.

Two league wins from two for Craig McLeish and his side. Two clean sheets. Two penalties, one saved, and one scored.

Three league goals for Killian Phillips already, relishing life as a 10.

Eight league debuts. Three young Scots (possibly four) in starring roles.

Six and a half thousand Buddies being treated to full-blooded, front-footed, head-up football from a youthful squad with more to come.

Thirty-six games to go.

Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian

Made eight saves as Hibs held on for another win over Rangers at Ibrox.

Kanayo Megwa - Hibernian

Played a big part in a strong, steady victorious showing at Ibrox.

Auston Trusty - Celtic

Superb block on the line as the American kept things tight at the back for Celtic.

Owen Bevan - Dundee

You don't have to be called Bevan to do well for Dundee, but it clearly helps. Strong showing at the back.

Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell

More often than not makes an impact down the left for the Steelmen.

Joe Bevan - Dundee

Looked impressive at times against Celtic and took it to a new level against Aberdeen with a goal and assist.

Tom Renaud - Hearts

His laser-guided rocket reminded me of Ally McCoist at Euro '96. To be fair, Renaud's was even better.

Killian Phillips - St Mirren

Suddenly the main man for the Buddies. Loved his no-nonsense one-step penalty.

Josh McPake - Hearts

Scored a fine goal, linking up with Claudio Braga. Shining on the Tynecastle stage after his heroics for St Johnstone.

Kasper Hogh - Celtic

An ebullient, winning personality and the Celtic fans have a new hero after the £11m man netted a hat-rick and looked an all round class act.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Ran out of superlatives for his contribution last season, and was back to his best against Dundee United with a goal and two assists.

Watch all the highlights from St Mirren's narrow 1-0 victory over St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership as the Buddies continued their winning start to the new league season. Available to UK users only

St Mirren fans, we asked for your views after Saturday's 1-0 Scottish Premiership victory over St Johnstone.

Here's what some of you said:

Eddie: A good result however we rode our luck and it was not a very convincing performance to be honest but six points two games is a great start.

Tony: What a great start to the season, never saw it coming. I think what we have found out is we have signed some really good players and that Jake Young has to start every game, his energy and desire causes all sorts of bother for the opposition. Long may it continue.

John: I'm not quite sure how I feel about that. Delighted with the three points but so not convinced by the performance. For long spells it lacked a cutting edge and urgency, and I wonder how we would have coped if the Perth lot had scored their penalty at 0-0.

Simon: A closely fought competitive game. Both sides played good football and made ( and missed) chances. We scored our penalty, they missed theirs, fine margins but delighted the Buddies edged it.

James: Saints won the kind of game you have to win to push up this league - tight with few clear cut chances in which defences dominate. Six points from six is a great start.

Paul: Great result with good play but frustrating to watch at times. We're definitely going in the right direction. Still some transfers needed.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Mirren goalkeeper Jacob Chapman insists taking maximum points from their opening two Premiership games "sets the tempo" for the season after they overcame St Johnstone 1-0 at home.

Killian Philipps' second-half penalty was decisive after Chapman laid the foundation with an earlier spot-kick save from Jamie Gullan.

The win leaves Craig McLeish's side top of the table on six points following a strong opening to the campaign.

"It's massive," the Australian told BBC Scotland. "That was the goal for these two games. The manager was driving that into us this week.

"Stay top of the table for as long as you can. Show everyone how good we are.

"We have a top, top group here. We fully back ourselves to do that.

"Now we've just got to build on this and keep going."

No-one at St Mirren will be getting carried away but the opening to their league season is in stark contrast to having to come through a relegation play-off last term.

The former Huddersfield stopper, who signed a two-year deal to join this summer, believes the strong start will stand them in good stead heading into their Premier Sports Cup tie against Rangers at Ibrox next weekend.

"It's nice to do our first game of the season at home as well, but we need to go and do it there [at Ibrox] as well," Chapman said. "We fully back ourselves to go and play our type of football there and be strong.

"It doesn't matter if we play Rangers or Celtic at home or away.

"It's what we're about and we'll go there with full confidence and belief and be as strong as we can."

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St Mirren manager Craig McLeish: "Delighted for the group, a really good, hard-fought win. A lot of our performance was good, we just had to add a bit more intensity to our performance in the first half.

"We were quite comfortable without troubling them too much. We stepped it up a bit second half. We got away with one when Jacob makes a fantastic save for the penalty.

"Then we convert our own penalty, so it was fine margins. Games are going to be like that for us and we have to show that fight and resilience. Our energy and how we pressed at the end, we could have scored a couple on the counter, that was really pleasing.

"We have to be horrible to play against. Two clean sheets sets us up well for that. The attacking bit, a few bits didn't quite click in the final third to create real, clear cut opportunities. When we counter attack, we do it at speed and we look dangerous.

"Those are standards that we set from day one of pre-season. How quickly do we get back into shape, everyone doing it and joining in. We want to be really good at the basics and not get bored of that.

"The running, energy and desire. We want to be fit and strong and relentless this season against whoever we play. We have to keep those standards really high. We did it last week and lived up to it again today.

"It helps with the belief in each other. I've said to the boys I confidence them. Last season, we had two horrendous play off games - even the emotion about it, there were so much nerves when we stepped on the pitch.

"I'm still using that as fuel, I don't want to be involved in that. We've got a massive journey ahead of us and we have to keep building. Six points out of six is a great start."

St Mirren made it two wins from two in the new Scottish Premiership season as Killian Phillips' second-half penalty proved decisive in a tight encounter with St Johnstone.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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St Mirren's Declan John is available following a hamstring injury. Ryan Mullen (thigh) has resumed training, while long-term casualties Keanu Baccus (Achilles) and Jonah Ayunga (cruciate ligament) remain sidelined.

St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari expects to have a full-strength squad available.

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St Mirren manager Craig McLeish isn't worrying about the future of Killian Phillips even though he admits he could lose the midfielder this summer.

The 24-year-old scored both of St Mirren's goals in their 2-0 win over Falkirk last weekend and transfer speculation has begun to swirl around the Republic of Ireland international as a result.

As things stand Phillips is under contract with the Buddies until the summer of 2027 after the club triggered a one-year extension earlier this year.

But McLeish admits Phillips may wish to move on sooner.

"If he keeps playing like that [against Falkirk], we know there's going to be interest," McLeish said.

"And we know that he's probably at the stage of his career now that he's looking for his next step.

"If that comes now, then fine, great for Killian. And if we get him for the next six months or for this full season, then we're delighted with that.

"Part of our club model is to develop players and move them on. I'm not saying that time has come for Killian but undoubtedly he's going to have interest. I can't sit here and worry about it.

"We need to make sure we have plans in place if Killian, or anyone, moves on."

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St Mirren manager Craig McLeish has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's visit of St Johnstone.

Here are the main points:

• On last weekend's victory over Falkirk, McLeish says it was "a really good start", adding it's helped "build confidence and momentum".

• McLeish admits he "likes watching" St Johnstone and "how they try and play their front four" but knows they "can cause a lot of problems".

• McLeish says the "squad is quite big at the moment" and stresses that any new additions that arrive have to "enhance the starting XI".

• The Buddies boss wouldn't be surprised to see interest in Killian Phillips, who scored both of their goals against Falkirk, and says "if he plays like he does against Falkirk undoubtedly there's going to be interest in him".

• McLeish admits the midfielder is "probably at a stage of his career that he's looking for a next step" but says he's "not aware" of any bids for Phillips.

• The 36-year-old insists it is "part of our club model" to develop players and move them on and while he's "not saying that time has come for Killian", he "can't sit here and worry about it" and must "make sure we have plans in place if Killian, or anyone, moves on".

• McLeish admits, however, that there are no imminent arrivals in Paisley.

• Team news: Declan John will be in the squad for Saturday's game.

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• St Mirren have lost four of their past five home league games against newly-promoted opponents, winning the other 1-0 against Livingston in December 2025.

• St Johnstone won their last league meeting with St Mirren 1-0 in February 2025 but have not beaten the Buddies successively in the Scottish Premiership since March 2019 (five in a row).

• St Mirren are looking to win their opening two Premiership matches in a season for the first time since 2023-24, when they eventually finished fifth.

• St Johnstone won 4-3 against Kilmarnock last weekend but have not started a top-flight campaign with two wins since 2017-18 under manager Tommy Wright.

• Jamie Gullan registered two assists on his first Scottish Premiership appearance for St Johnstone, while he led all Saints player for shots (4), chances created (5) and touches in the opposition box (6) against Killie.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jack Walton - Dundee United

Made several important stops as Dundee United matched Rangers at Tannadice.

Lewis Mayo - Aberdeen

Bundled a vital equaliser home as Aberdeen snatched three points at the death against Hearts.

Martin Moormann - Motherwell

An impressive defensive performance from the Austrian as Motherwell repelled Hibernian's second-half pressure.

Cheick Diabate - St Johnstone

A goal and another big showing from the St Johnstone centre-back as Simo Valakari's side edged a seven-goal thriller against Kilmarnock.

Henry Fieldson - St Mirren

The versatile signing from Queen's Park had a superb St Mirren league debut.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Felt like the Kieran Tierney of old. He swung in a sublime assist for Benjamin Nygren's winning goal.

Thelo Aasgaard - Rangers

A moment of real quality to equalise and repay the faith shown in him by manager Derek McInnes.

Killian Phillips - St Mirren

Energy personified. The Irish midfielder made all the difference, scoring twice, as St Mirren beat Falkirk on Saturday.

Jamie Gullan - St Johnstone

Full of guile in their Championship-winning season and normal service resumed in the swashbuckling win over Kilmarnock. Five key passes and two assists for the tricky wide man.

Ibrahim Said - Motherwell

His delight was clear to see as he finished off a fine Motherwell passing move to put Hibs to the sword at Easter Road.

Kevin Nisbet - Aberdeen

The Aberdeen captain thoroughly enjoyed his celebration as he handled the pressure of winning the match for Aberdeen from the penalty spot deep in added time.

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

St Mirren's summer has been loud and unrelenting, following on from our loud and unrelenting spring.

Dating back to the departure of Stephen Robinson and interim promotion of Craig McLeish, a healthy percentage of the conversation around the Saints has been emotive and, particularly when this arrangement was made permanent, furious.

There are a multitude of valid reasons in support of questioning this decision. Are we stable enough to go all in on a rookie manager? Is McLeish the rookie manager we should go all-in on? Should landing in the relegation play-off have been disqualifying?

Such debate was always likely to erode the possibility for nuanced discussion, and so it has proved. Despite coasting (sort of) through League Cup group stages which have previously swallowed up the Saints, a blind and unwavering pessimism seems to have taken hold of many.

Passing out from the back has failed to pass the sniff test for some, despite leading to fewer shots on goal, fewer dangerous attacks, more possession and far more chances created.

With all this noise approaching deafening levels in the wake of an unfortunate defeat to Dunfermline, descending into ranting at club officials, Saturday's season opener in Falkirk carried the air of an immediate cup final.

With the appropriate caveats that we also secured an early victory in Falkirk last season, and that this Falkirk side have been robbed of significant talent over the summer, the 2-0 win must be taken as a milestone victory for St Mirren's new man in the dugout.

Goalkeeper Jacob Chapman may have enraged the Facebook da's with neat short passing and inviting the press, but kept his clean sheet.

Eseosa Sule led the line and spurned a glut of chances, yet dazzled in his ability to stretch Falkirk and find himself in such dangerous positions regardless. Jayden Richardson came in from the cold, performing admirably in a back four redefining themselves after a near decade of three-at-the-back clearing of lines.

For there to be something approaching calm, in St Mirren terms at least, this wave must be carried into Saturday and the hosting of top-flight new boys St Johnstone.

Six points from six when the opponents are likely bottom-half bedfellows may not be literally essential, but the mood arising from dropped points in these fixtures gets in the way of that necessary patience.

On Saturday's evidence, and the promise of more signings, more familiarity with tactics, more momentum and confidence, there is plenty of cause to look forward to the return of league duty to our newly renamed stadium.

Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

St Mirren have received no contact from any other clubs amid transfer speculation surrounding 24-year-old midfielder Killian Phillips. (Daily Record, external)

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Killian Phillips says he wants to help St Mirren add a greater attacking threat this season after his double secured victory at Falkirk on the opening weekend of the Premiership.

The Irish midfielder struck either side of half-time as the Buddies earned a deserved three points at the Falkirk Stadium.

St Mirren's struggles at the wrong end of the table last season were in large part down to a lack of scoring, with their 30 goals in 38 games the poorest return in the league.

Now after bagging a brace in the first league game, Phillips wants to boost his and the team's goal tally this term.

"It's something I need to add to my game is numbers, so now I'm over the moon to get two," Phillips told BBC Scotland.

"It was a good team performance. I know I could have had a couple more and we could have had a couple more.

"On a normal day, those [missed] chances could have cost us. Probably last season, we struggled to create a lot of chances, so to have as many chances as we did today is more of a positive than a negative.

"It's a perfect opening day performance."

Watch the best of the action as St Mirren win 2-0 at Falkirk in their Scottish Premiership season opener. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views after St Mirren started the new Premiership season with a 2-0 win at Falkirk.

Here are some of your comments:

Alan: Pleasantly surprised at our performance but no less than we deserved. If chances had been taken it could have been a huge win. Will have a better idea 10 games in of where we are.

Michael: Good, solid start from St Mirren and nice to see some fluid movement and play. Killian Phillips was just awesome and did not stop running much like most of his team-mates. Performance is not going to harm any move for Phillips at all sadly. Henry Fieldson is a real find. Good start, good performance and as this team gels looking good.

Stewart: Great away win at a difficult venue. We moved the ball about really smartly, the interactions of play were a joy to watch. However, we really do need to work on our finishing.

Stu G: Glad we won. Won't get carried away with it. Two teams with lots of new faces and I thought we were better without dominating. We do have to get behind the team now. For all the fans reservations about the manager and recruitment, it won't do anyone any good to continue with negative undertones, so onwards and upwards.

Grant: Strange game. Wasn't ultimately impressed by Saints performance, but it's three points nonetheless. Think there's certain players in the starting 11 who aren't up to the challenge. Still think we'll be in the dogfight again at the end of the season - hope I'm wrong!

Peter: Great attitude from the team. Yes, two or three gilt-edged chances not taken, but 2-0 I'm happy with. The link-up play by Saints upset Falkirk who didn't seem to have much of a gameplan.

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St Mirren head coach Craig McLeish told BBC Scotland: "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.

"We kind of get away with one with the disallowed goal and that would have been a sucker punch because we were quite comfortable at points.

"We were scoring goals in the cup and today we created good chances. That was the bit that was missing last season.

"We have to keep the core of what has made St Mirren successful in the last few years. We have to be hard to play against and defensively solid. A clean sheet gets us off to a good start with that.

"There's a bit of uncertainty after playing lower league opposition in the cup, so when it comes together like that on day one, it's such a good feeling."