St Mirren

Former Scotland striker Steven Naismith thinks St Mirren's managerial hunt will be a tough one.

The Buddies are in the process of replacing Stephen Robinson, who took charge at Aberdeen earlier this month.

Interim manager Craig McLeish says he is "ready" to take the role full-time after chief executive Keith Lasley said they are seeking someone to "galvanise" the side sitting third bottom of the table.

Dunfermline boss Neil Lennon has been linked, as has Naismith, who is part of Steve Clarke's coaching staff with the national team.

"I've got a World Cup to go to," Naismith said when asked about his own name being linked with the vacancy.

"It's a tough one because Stephen Robinson did a brilliant job. There's not many really experienced managers out there.

"I've seen Neil Lennon has been linked. He's in a good project at Dunfermline.

"It's a big appointment because it's a brilliantly run club that will have a bit of a transitional period now."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

GK: Raphael Sallinger (Hibernian)

Not a vintage weekend for goalkeepers, so three saves and a clean sheet wins it for the Hibs custodian.

RCB: James Tavernier (Rangers)

Can Rangers really afford to lose the goals this right-back gives them every season? Not getting any younger but still delivers, as his free-kick against Aberdeen demonstrated.

CB: Ross Graham (Dundee United)

A lion at the back for United against Celtic. Stifled all the defending champions could throw at him, clean sheet and three points that keep United's slim top-half hopes alive. The perfect riposte to his derby day dejection.

LCB: Liam Donnelly (St Mirren)

The midfielder played on the right of a back three for St Mirren and shone defensively as well as scoring the winner. A big three points away to Falkirk.

RWB: Oisin McEntee (Hearts)

Towering header the decisive moment for Hearts to break the deadlock against Dundee. His physicality and power make him a huge threat at set-pieces.

CM: Marc Leonard (Hearts)

A different kind of midfielder to Cammy Devlin but arrived at the right time to fill the void left by the Australian this season. His delivery for McEntee's vital goal was right on the money.

CM: Emmanuel Agyei (Dundee United)

A robust and dynamic performance from the Ghanaian, topped off with a huge goal.

LWB: Will Ferry (Dundee United)

Normally all about the delivery, but Sunday was all about the finish from Ferry, which opened the scoring against Celtic. Not the cleanest of strikes but it doesn't matter. Remarkably his first United goal.

RW: Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock)

Going to Kilmarnock was the best thing that happened to Steve Clarke, and the same for Curtis. Their paths will now cross in the Scotland camp, and rightly so. Curtis always looked like he had the talent, Kilmarnock are giving him the stage and all parties are benefitting. Scored the second in the big 2-0 win over Livingston.

CF: Joe Hugill (Kilmarnock)

An impressive showing topped with a goal from the former Manchester United youngster, and an assist for Curtis.

LW: Mikey Moore (Rangers)

The 18-year-old clearly had a lot of talent when he arrived at Ibrox, but in recent times he has stepped it up a level and delivered with consistency as Rangers continue their late charge for the title.

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Current caretaker boss Craig McLeish is expected to have a key role in any restructure as St Mirren hold talks with Carl Robinson. (Scottish Sun), external

St Mirren pick up three points against Falkirk and boost their Scottish Premiership survival battle (UK only).

Image source, PA Media

St Mirren are in advanced talks to appoint Carl Robinson as their new manager, the 49-year-old former Wales midfielder having had spells in charge of Vancouver Whitecaps, Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers. (Football Insider), external

Sunday's Scottish gossip

St Mirren fans, we asked you for your opinions on the 2-1 victory over Falkirk on Saturday. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Greig: Great result for Saints, and a fantastic, hard-working performance. A well-earned three points; here's to the team keeping it going.

Trevor: Would make my season if we go on and finish above Aberdeen and they get relegated. Would show Stephen Robinson the grass ain't always greener on the other side.

Andy: Great result, hopefully this will give the team confidence for the next game against Aberdeen. A win against them will put us level on points with the Dons and bring them right into the fight to avoid the play off position.

It was also pleasing to see some of the injured players back in the squad, as we will need everybody fit for the run in and the Cup semi-final.

Ally: What a boost from the team, executed the plan well and if this is Craig McLeish's extended job interview, it's done no harm at all. The players left on the bench previously have come to the fore and style of play has improved. I'm already practicing the 'Sacked in the Morning' song for Aberdeen.

Eddie: Well that's been a long time coming. McLeish has shown he can get a tune out of the team, but probably a bit too soon to give him the job full time. However, it's possible he gets the job until the end of the season.

We look to be getting back to our old self, with the next game against Aberdeen a must win. Robinson will be under huge pressure to save his current employer. It would be great to beat him.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Mirren midfielder Liam Donnelly hopes their "massive" win at Falkirk can give them confidence as they battle to avoid the Premiership relegation play-off spot.

They came from a goal behind to prevail 2-1, with Donnelly heading in what turned out to be the winner midway through the second half.

The victory - just their second in 15 league games - keeps St Mirren 10th in the Premiership, above 11th place Kilmarnock on goal difference.

"It feels massive," Donnelly told BBC Scotland. "It has been a while since we had one.'

"We spoke about the position we found ourselves in after the result last weekend [a 1-0 defeat to Rangers] but said after that game there were loads of positives to take from that and we wanted to make sure we brought them into today.

"On other occasions this season it has probably gone that way, where we've conceded and it has knocked us out a bit and we have not recovered from it.

"I think the two performances, last week and then today, getting the win and the points on the board, can hopefully give us a lot of confidence going forward."

It was a second game at the helm for interim manager Craig McLeish, who has taken charge following Stephen Robinson's recent departure to Aberdeen.

It is unclear whether McLeish is a contender to land the Paisley post on a permanent basis.

"We have done a lot of work on the training pitch since Craig and the staff have taken over and I think that is showing on the pitch," Donnelly added.

"We are enjoying the work we are doing, everybody has bought into it and I think it showed today and last week.

"I don't think [McLeish] will have done himself any harm [in terms of his chances of being considered for the job]. Obviously that is a decision for the club to make."

Managerless St Mirren produced an upset to stun top-six hopefuls Falkirk and boost their chances of Scottish Premiership survival.

Read the match report here.

Let us know your thoughts.

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St Mirren interim manager Craig McLeish: "Massive for us, delighted for the boys and the group. We needed this today - a hard fought win against a Falkirk side who're having a incredible season, and I hope they get over the line.

"We needed something to spark a bit of confidence and momentum. We were behind in the game, and that's my responsibility. I asked them to take more risks and we make a mistake.

"But how we respond to that is fantastic. I know it's two goals from set plays - we'd like to create more in the final third and I'd like us to try and play more when we're under pressure.

"But I need to accept that where we're at in the season, it's about getting points on the board.

"From my point of view, I want to try and show people I can handle the different aspects of the role. But whatever the club decide to do, I'll still be part of the first team staff moving forward.

"I have my own aims and ambitions within the game but I'm comfortable with whatever the club decide to do."

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Falkirk's Kyrell Wilson and Ben Parkinson (both ankle), Ross MacIver and Louis Marsh, Liam Henderson and Ethan Williams (all thigh) are out.

St Mirren hope to have Mikael Mandron and Jayden Richardson involved while Declan John could feature despite needing hernia surgery at some stage.

Kion Etete is still out along with Conor McMenamin, Malik Dijksteel (both groin), Keanu Baccus (Achilles) and Marcus Fraser (shoulder).

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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A Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic to look forward to, a relegation battle to survive, and a change of manager to deal with - it's certainly been an eventful start to Jacob Devaney's St Mirren career.

The 18-year-old midfielder joined on loan from Manchester United at the close of the January window and has made seven appearances for the Buddies, scoring one goal.

But the league has been a struggle for St Mirren who find themselves threatened by a relegation battle and without a permanent manager following Stephen Robinson's departure for Aberdeen.

"I'm not going to lie, it's been a bit of a challenge," Devaney said.

"It's been a good few weeks, but you know, with a lot of different circumstances I've had to deal with. I've loved it. It's been a great experience."

The Yorkshire-born player will be on duty with the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side as St Mirren step up the search to replace Robinson, the manager who signed him, during the forthcoming break.

"It's part of the learning process when you go on loan," he added.

"Just dealing with unexpected incidents like the manager leaving last week. To be fair, I think the club have made it quite an easy change. Craig McLeish and the staff have come in and dealt with it really well.

"You can't really look back too much. All we're doing is looking forward, you know, trying to stay in the league. And obviously trying to win that semi-final as well, and the final too."

With Australian international Keanu Baccus out with a long-term injury, Devaney hopes he can play a big part in the fight for Premiership survival and the bid for cup glory.

"I came here wanting to play games and knowing that I've got the ability to play games," the teenager said.

"That's the reason why I came here, to play men's football, to get away from academy football. I'm here because I want to be a professional footballer and I want to play at the highest level. I thought this league was the right place to start off. "

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Mirren interim manager Craig McLeish has been speaking to the media as the Buddies prepare for their trip to Falkirk on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• McLeish has "loved every minute of it" since taking interim charge and says management is his longer-term goal but he's in "no rush".

• The 35-year-old admits he would take the St Mirren job full-time if offered and has "no doubt" he could do well.

• He adds: "If the opportunity came up right now, I'm comfortable. I'm fine. Whatever the club decide to do, if we take it on for another couple of weeks, we're ready to go with that. If it's to the end of the season, if a manager comes in next week, I'm in a place and I hope I've shown that to the club and to everyone that I can handle it."

• On the search for a new boss, McLeish says "the plan is still the middle of next week that the club have a clear plan and direction" and suggests it "might be the case" that an appointment is made at that time.

• He stresses "I'm still here long term" and will "back the team" regardless of what the club decide to do.

• He says St Mirren are grateful for the upcoming international break because "we get a little bit of time as a club to go through a slightly longer process" as they focus on making "the right appointment".

• St Mirren had two free agents training this week and McLeish says a signing could be announced today.

• St Mirren could drop into the relegation play-off spot this weekend and McLeish accepts "we have to pick up points, we have to pick up results and we have to start winning games".

• On the Buddies' attacking struggles: "We have to find some different solutions in the final third to add that to our game."

• Declan John may not be out for the season but will require surgery. Mikael Mandron "has recovered a bit quicker than we thought" while Keanu Baccus will be out long term.

• McLeish feels the squad is looking "a little bit stronger" but knows "we can't ask people to do too much".

Dunfermline head coach Neil Lennon is one of the candidates St Mirren have approached to be interviewed for their vacant manager's job. (SportsBoom), external

Former Vancouver Whitecaps and Western Sydney head coach Carl Robinson, currently working for the Welsh FA in coach education, is one of the names in the frame to be St Mirren manager along with Derry City's Tiernan Lynch and former Dundee boss Tony Docherty. (Scottish Sun), external

Read all of Friday's Scottish Gossip

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• After their 2-0 victory in January, Falkirk could win back-to-back top-flight meetings with St Mirren for the first time since February 2008.

• St Mirren have won six of their past nine away games at Falkirk in the top flight (D1 L2), including most recently in September (2-1).

• After only winning two of their opening nine home league matches of the season (D5 L2), Falkirk have since won four of six (L2).

• St Mirren's only away league win of this season was at Falkirk in September; the Buddies are winless in 12 on the road since (D3 L9), their longest winless away run in the top flight since going 20 without victory from November 2009 to October 2010.

• Since (and including) his hat-trick against Hibernian on 24 January, Falkirk's Barney Stewart has eight goal involvements in eight Scottish Premiership appearances (six goals, two assists), the most of any player in the competition in this time.

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Former referee Steve Conroy thinks it is "mission creep" with VAR in Scottish football before new changes to the laws for the upcoming World Cup.

VAR was introduced in Scotland almost four years ago but has frequently been criticised by fans, players, managers and former players.

Now there could be more changes to the scope of technology as football's law-making body the International Football Association Board (Ifab) backed plans to increase the powers of VAR.

For this summer's World Cup in America, VAR will be allowed to intervene on second yellow cards and the awarding of corners, provided the process doesn't slow down the flow of play.

Ifab has also expanded the countdown rule around goalkeepers where they have eight seconds to release the ball from their hands to include goal kicks and throw-ins.

But former referee Conroy thinks involving the technology in more decision-making is bad news for the game.

"It's inescapable that there is more and more mission creep with VAR," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"The authorities seem hell-bent on using it more and more and relying on it and I think that is to the detriment of football.

"I know Ifab are talking about getting them involved for corners and second yellows and all that sort of stuff. As [Celtic interim manager] Martin O'Neill said, soon enough we'll just referee from a port-a-cabin somewhere.

"And this is all happening at the same time as every football supporter survey tells you that they just want it binned."

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Sunday's narrow defeat to Rangers left St Mirren level on points with 11th-placed Kilmarnock and with deepening relegation worries as the club search for a replacement for departed manager Stephen Robinson.

The pressure is on in Paisley with only eight games to play, and the decision over who will take the reins will have a huge impact on the team's Premiership prospects as well as the upcoming Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic.

Former Saints player Ryan Flynn believes that after having faith with Robinson and seeing what he delivered over his four years at the club, the board will be looking for someone to take that on and progress over time - but the immediate demands of staying in the division have to be the priority.

"For me, it's got to be short term," Flynn told the Scottish Football Podcast. "You have to keep your status of being a Scottish Premiership side.

"The performances probably since the League Cup final win have not been good enough, time and again.

"There's no obvious candidate. I don't know where they're going to go.

"You don't want to be hiring and sacking managers, left right and centre. What are you looking for? Because they'll definitely be looking for a long-term vision, but really it's so short term."

Flynn wonders if the club might look down the divisions for a manager ready to step up, or bring back someone who already has a strong bond to give a quick boost.

"They've down the part-time route before with part-time managers with previous managers Jim Goodwin and Jack Ross," he added.

"But Stephen McGinn has been there recently. Could he go in? He knows the squad. He knows [interim coach] Craig McLeish. He knows how to maybe get a reaction and push them forward.

"Or a little bit further afield there's Diarmuid O'Carroll, assistant manager at Sparta Prague, who was working under Steven Robinson. Again, heknows the squad, knows the majority of the players and could he go and get a reaction?

"So they're in short term to react, produce and then they're the guys that are long term to build the club."

Andrew Christie
Fan writer

The first game after a manager's departure has a specific texture that is unlike anything else.

Not grief exactly. More like sitting in a room that has been rearranged while you were out. Everything is mostly where it should be. But something is different and you can feel it before you can name it.

Along with our manager, the week had already taken Keanu Baccus (a season-ending Achilles injury), Declan John (a, hopefully minor, knock), and by 12.15pm on Sunday, Jayden Richardson too (took an Alex Gogic to the face).

The interim staff of Craig McLeish, Jamie Langfield and Allan McManus absorbed each new piece of information like it was just the next item on a list, and kept going.

Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Rangers was a first footing that told two completely separate stories depending on which half you watched.

The first half was a team still finding its feet in a new room. The second half was a team that had stopped looking for what wasn't there any more, and went looking for what was.

Space opened. Passes connected. Rangers began to look like a side that had arrived expecting something easier. Gogic was back to his chaotic best - a Jackson Pollock splatter artwork of blood, head staples, tackles and screams.

Danny Rohl spent the second half prowling his technical area urging Rangers to hold a shape that kept threatening to come apart at the seams. You only do that when the opposition are doing something right. We did a lot right.

Except for the one moment we very much didn't. Tuur Rommens arrived at the back post unmarked after 30 minutes to turn home a Nico Raskin cross - the sort of positional lapse that becomes more likely when your defensive unit has been reshuffled multiple times before the game has found its shape.

In the second half St Mirren pushed, created and pressed well. But when chances arrived the composure wasn't there and Rangers, to their credit, held firm.

What happened in that second half is worth sitting with.

Whatever comes next - whoever walks through that door, whatever ideas they carry with them - they inherit a squad capable of producing that performance in that week, under that pressure, with that injury list.

The foundations are there. What gets built on top of them is still unwritten. On Sunday's evidence, that is not a source of dread. It is something to look forward to.

Andrew Christie can be found at Misery Hunters, external

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St Mirren have "no time to dwell" on their managerial situation as they aim to drag themselves out of relegation trouble, says midfielder Liam Donnelly.

Stephen Robinson left for Aberdeen last week and youth coach Craig McLeish took interim charge for the 1-0 defeat to Rangers on Sunday.

And Donnelly stressed that while St Mirren search for a new boss, the focus for the players is improving their standing in the league.

"Obviously the manager leaving is something nobody was prepared for," the former Motherwell player said.

"When a manager leaves out of the blue, it can also be difficult for the people that have to come in and take it.

"As players, we just have to go out on the pitch and put on a performance which shows what we've been doing during the week.

"There's no time to dwell on it as the games are coming thick and fast and we know the situation that we're in. We don't have time to dwell on anything.

"It's the club's job to go through the process. As players, we just have to focus on what we're working on in training, and the games coming up.

"As everyone knows, we need points on the board."