Image source, SNSAs Aberdeen narrow their search for a new manager, Stephen Robinson of St Mirren is being considered, along with German duo Robert Klaus and Markus Gisdol. (Daily Record), external
Hearts overcame a first-half red card for the second time in four days to beat St Mirren and remain six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
'The players made me look stupid tonight' - Robinson
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "First half, Hearts go down to 10 men. Thought we played really well, scored two goals that were disallowed.
"And then we stopped doing basics. The two goals are woeful decisions. I look back on the last four games and we've had nearly eight goals now, not doing second phase properly against Rangers. The Motherwell goals, incredible decisions. Really poor decisions last week against Falkirk. And they're inexplicable at the moment.
"All the coaching in the world, you have to step up and make the right decisions. And that's been the story of our season - gifting people goals, individual errors.
"It's a tough moment. We've had plenty of plaudits and people like plaudits. But now that they get criticism and now they have to stand up, then I'll see who will stand up and be counted.
"Are they starting to believe the hype and the publicity after the [League] Cup win, thinking they're possibly a little bit better than they are and they don't need to work as hard? Perhaps.
"How you train is how you play, and some people haven't trained properly. Some people have moped about a little bit because they weren't in the team, have come in and played like that.
"Ultimately, I put them on the pitch, so I have to take the blame.
"100% [we are in a relegation battle]. I've said it for weeks, months.
"Obviously the injury situation, the midfield decimated and we're missing Jonah Ayunga badly. We haven't been able to replace him yet, so we don't have a threat up front, we don't have an outlet up front.
"I thought Roland Idowu was brilliant tonight, he was our only real threat in the team.
"Alex Gogic, Killian Phillips, Declan John, I can rely on those boys. Other boys need to step up to the plate and 100% we're in a relegation battle.
"I hear big and physical about us all the time, which is quite laughable. We're big, really big. But physical? No, Hearts are physical. That's a compliment, certainly not a criticism.
"There was a lot of home truths tonight. I've been very, very gentle on them because we're so limited in numbers and you're asking boys to go again.
"But there was home truths tonight and I'm expecting a reaction. I was expecting a reaction tonight, which we got to an extent in the first half. But if you don't do the basics right, if you don't defend properly, when you need to clear the ball, clear the ball.
"Don't be clever. Don't pull out of tackles. Mark your men in the box. It's basics. Sometimes players make you look stupid and certainly they made me look stupid tonight."
Image source, SNSHearts boss Derek McInnes has managed 16 top-flight home matches against St Mirren in his career and lost none of them (W9 D7), with these coming across spells with St Johnstone (W2 D2), Aberdeen (W5 D3), and Kilmarnock (W2 D2).
Hearts have won 17 of their past 21 home matches against St Mirren in the top flight (D2 L2), including six of their latest seven (L1).
St Mirren have only had one win in their past seven league meetings with Hearts (D2 L4), a 2-1 triumph in September 2024.
Hearts are unbeaten in 12 home league games (W9 D3), last going longer without a home defeat in the top flight from January to October 2004 (16).
St Mirren have lost five of their past six away league outings (D1), conceding 2+ goals in all six of these fixtures (15 goals conceded in total).
Andrew Christie
Fan writer
I watched The Pitt win Best Drama at the Golden Globes and had a thought: we should pitch a St Mirren-based spin-off.
What could we call it? Something that rhymes with The Pitt. A thing we're definitely currently in but shouldn't say in polite BBC company.
Same concept - overworked medical staff, constant emergencies, dwindling resources - but instead of a Pittsburgh hospital, it's just our physio room. Single episode. Ninety minutes. No ads. Well, I'll stick a few ads in… for my podcast. I'm sure that's fine.
Opening shot: panoramic view of the SMiSA Stadium treatment room. Mark O'Hara is doing rehab in the corner and screaming. Keanu Baccus is on a table getting his hamstring examined while people shout things like "stat!"
Jonah Ayunga limps past on crutches, he's making a break for it. All three have been here for pure ages. The actual medical term is "pure ages". The physio looks at the fixture list for January. Someone asks who's available. Silence.
Twenty minutes in, new characters start arriving at an alarming rate. Liam Donnelly. Killian Phillips. Declan John. Shamal George - that's our goalkeeper, the one person who's supposed to be protected. All injured. Ryan Mullen gets told he's playing now. He wasn't expecting this. None of us were expecting this.
Here's where it gets ambitious: Allan Campbell arrives. Experienced midfielder, been without a club since May.
It's a sensible signing on paper - we need bodies, he needs football. Except he hasn't played competitively in eight months. It's a swing I'm glad the club have made. It's also the kind of swing that makes you feel a bit stressed about tonight's trip to Tynecastle.
The plot twist comes out of nowhere: Jim Gillespie, our vice-chairman - the person who's been a major part of every major deal for four years - announces he's leaving to become CEO of the big hospital up the road. If you pitched this to HBO they'd tell you it's too unrealistic.
Final scene: The camera pans across the treatment room one last time. Someone mentions we've got three away games in eight days. The physio stares into the middle distance.
The red phone rings. It's Stephen Robinson. Oisin Smyth is being recalled from Partick Thistle. The January window isn't over yet. There are more signings coming. Reinforcements. Bodies through the door. The physio allows himself the smallest smile. Cut to black. "To be continued."
Someone needs to call HBO Max. Tell them we've got a full season in the works.
David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSOisin Smyth says he's ready to hit the ground running after St Mirren recalled him early from his loan spell at Partick Thistle.
The Northern Irish midfielder is back with the Buddies, who visit Premiership leaders Hearts on Wednesday night, as the League Cup winners' injury problems grow.
Captain Mark O'Hara and Australia midfielder Keanu Baccus are both out with long-term issues and Killian Phillips may require an operation on his shoulder which could rule him out for up to three months.
Smyth has made just one appearance for the Buddies in the Premiership this season, coming on as a substitute in the opening-day defeat at Celtic.
He became a key player for the promotion-chasing Jags and now wants to establish himself at the heart of Stephen Robinson's side.
"It's not a nice way to look at it but I think an injury to someone is always an opportunity," he said.
"That's what's happened here and hopefully I can kick on from that. It was a good few months at Partick Thistle and I loved my time there. But as a footballer you always want to play at the highest level.
"Getting that regular game-time again was good. I have to be thankful to Mark Wilson the manager there and obviously the sporting director as well for bringing me in and giving me game-time."
Smyth joined St Mirren from Oxford United in the summer of 2024 and made 26 appearances during his first season in Paisley, scoring four goals, without establishing himself as a regular starter.
He is ready to get stuck in now though as Robinson's side aim to climb the league.
"The loan was needed," he said. "I had a few years where I wasn't playing regularly, so to get that at Thistle was good.
"I'm ready to go straight in. Hopefully I can just bring what I normally do - energy and intensity, get my foot on the ball and help the team."
Image source, SNSHearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow is suspended while left-backs Stephen Kingsley (groin) and Harry Milne (ankle) are expected to remain sidelined after missing the win at Dundee.
Oisin McEntee (groin), Calem Nieuwenhof, Ageu, Finlay Pollock (all hamstring) and Sander Kartum (hip) are also out.
St Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips will see a specialist to discover if a shoulder injury requires surgery, which would keep him out for three months.
Alex Gogic returns from suspension while Liam Donnelly, Dan Nlundulu and Shamal George will be assessed after weekend injuries.
Saints have recalled Oisin Smyth from his loan spell at Partick Thistle but remain without Jonah Ayunga (tendon), Mark O'Hara (ankle) and Keanu Baccus (hamstring tendon).
David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before St Mirren visit Premiership leaders Hearts on Wednesday night.
Here are the key lines from the Buddies boss:
Robinson says St Mirren's injury situation is the worst he's experienced but it is easing "a little bit".
However, in addition to long-term injuries for Keanu Baccus, Mark O'Hara and Jonah Ayunga he has other concerns. Midfielder Killian Phillips has a tear in his shoulder and will see a specialist on Wednesday to determine whether he needs an operation.
"It's extremes," said Robinson. "If Killian needs an operation he'll probably be out three months, if he doesn't he could probably start [against Hearts]. So we're sort of waiting on that judgement call."
Goalkeeper Shamal George and midfielder Liam Donnelly - who both came off injured in the defeat by Falkirk - plus striker Dan Nlundalu are all doubts for the trip to Tynecastle. Robinson adds that Donnelly's injury isn't as bad as first feared.
The Northern Irishman says Premier Sports Cup success has "certainly taken its toll" on his team. He adds: "We're trying to play catch-up games now, you're playing midweek games. The squad isn't equipped for seven or eight injuries. It's a difficult period, a difficult moment for us. I've been here plenty of times and we'll come out the other side."
Have signed midfielder Allan Campbell this month, St Mirren are trying "very, very hard" to bring in further reinforcements but it is a "very hard window" and players "demand money that we don't have".
Robinson's "biggest disappointment" in the Falkirk defeat was his team's lack of reaction after going behind: "We didn't do what we're good at. We went from putting 47 crosses into the box against Kilmarnock to putting in 12 in the last two games. That tells you one of the problems. We have to get back to doing what we do well, running over teams, delivering balls, pressing high and believing in ourselves."
Despite a four-game winless run, Robinson is optimistic about the visit to leaders Hearts - who have been "fantastic this season" - and says getting a good result there "would be a surprise to many but not to me".
He adds: "We've shown that we can compete with Hearts. We beat them in the League Cup [on penalties]. We were very unfortunate not to win the game at home [2-2 draw] due to decisions. But we need that level of performance again and we need that level of belief."
On the departure of vice-chairman Jim Gillespie to Rangers: "We wish him all the best and we thank him for what he's done for St Mirren. In terms of the day-to-day running of the club, it doesn't really change things for me. I still deal with [chief operating officer] Keith Lasley on a daily basis."
St Mirren are set to bolster their attacking options by signing 24-year-old Stevenage striker Jake Young on a permanent deal. (Daily Record), external
Watch Sportscene pundit Charlie Mulgrew discuss Stephen Robinson's team selection problems.
St Mirren are without several key players because of injury and have only won two of their past 14 matches.
"When you see [Keanu] Baccus, [Mark] O'Hara, [Alex] Gogic [all out] - these are three players that any team in the league would miss," said the former Scotland defender.
"You can't rip the heart out of your team and expect the same performances. They press from the outside, everything starts from the engine room and when you've got so many players missing, you're really up against it."
Image source, SNSSt Mirren have recalled midfielder Oisin Smyth from his loan spell at Partick Thistle.
Smyth, 25, made 18 appearances for the Championship club and returns to bolster Stephen Robinson's injury-hit squad.
Since signing from Oxford in 2024, the Northern Irishman has scored four goals for the Buddies in 30 matches.
Watch highlights as St Mirren lose 2-0 against Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership.
We asked for your views on St Mirren's 2-0 defeat by Falkirk on Saturday.
Here's what some of you said:
Chris: Worst performance of the season. Falkirk played us off the pitch and not one player took responsibility. Shambolic. Worrying times, only positive is Livingston and Kilmarnock are in an even worse state.
Stuart: What a pitiful display yet again. Falkirk too nippy for our pedestrian carthorses. Second string players thrown on to attempt a rescue. Bottom-six looking certain.
Marshall: Not good enough, gave nothing in the second half. Too many wrong decisions in forward areas, we really need reinforcements in the transfer window.
Douglas: For the second match in succession Saints never turned up. Never troubled Scott Bain, passing was shocking and there was very little from midfield. I know injuries to senior players take its toll but it's not an excuse. Forward players powderpuff. Sixteen goals in 20 games, less than a goal a game, relegation material. Absolute garbage!
Eddie: We are in a serious situation now, we need some new faces as soon as possible! We are fighting for our SPL status, however in Stephen Robinson we trust.
Alistair: That was dreadful, we weren't helped by injuries but the fit players didn't step up, we didn't win second balls, the midfield were overran and lightweight and overall they made poor decisions. Good support from Falkirk.
Falkirk earned back-to-back wins to start 2026 as an outstanding Finn Yeats' finish and Calvin Miller strike condemn St Mirren to a third straight Scottish Premiership defeat.
Image source, SNSSt Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "It's not acceptable. The last two games have been totally unacceptable. We put the game last week against Motherwell down as a one-off.
"I was quite controlled after the game, because we had been on quite a good run. But I told the players after the game, I didn't recognise that team from the one that played in the [League] Cup final, with the desire and energy, the quality.
"Our decision-making at times today was incredible. It's very hard to explain or justify. Everyone has been told it's time to step up. I defy any team in the SPFL to play without their starting midfield.
"We've not got Keanu Baccus, Mark O'Hara or Alex Gogic today. We've now got Killian Phillips, who dislocated his shoulder at half-time. Liam Donnelly came off injured after 15 minutes, and now [goalkeeper] Shamal George.
"It's not acceptable and I take total blame for it. We took the credit for winning the Cup and the top six finishes, but now I have to take this blame and motivate the boys who have knocked at my door continually.
"They have to step up and they didn't do that today. Throughout the team, decisions were poor. We need support, help, the recruitment guys to get people into the football club.
"The injuries have been incredible. We've got seven starts out. If that happened to Celtic or Rangers, they couldn't cope. We have to demand more from the players who have come in."
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSSt Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips insists their focus is on driving up the Premiership table after the high of their recent Premier Sports Cup win.
The Buddies lie 10th in the league before Saturday's home fixture against sixth-place Falkirk, albeit they have games in hand over several teams around them.
Having enjoyed three successive top-six finishes, Phillips insisted the Buddies can't just expect to match those feats once again.
"It's [top six] always on the cards," he said. "It's such a long season, there's still so many games of football to be played.
"We'll just focus on catching the team above us and then see where that keeps taking us. We know our league form has to improve. The most important thing at the minute is the league.
"We know how competitive this league is and any team can beat anyone on any given day. At the minute, we're closer to relegation than top six and that's the reality of it.
"To get up the table is the most important thing."
Manager Stephen Robinson revealed the club are close to a new singing and is seeking additions in forward areas having already brought in midfielder Allan Campbell this week.
Victory over Falkirk would reduce the gap between the sides to six points with St Mirren having played a game fewer.
"I think it's a huge game for both teams," Phillips added.
"Falkirk obviously looking to kind of pull away from the pack a little bit and cement themselves in the top six and we're looking to catch the team above us.
"We need to start picking up points sooner rather than later."
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson has added former Motherwell midfielder Alan Campbell to his St Mirren squad.
Saints remain without Jonah Ayunga (tendon), Mark O'Hara (ankle) and Keanu Baccus (hamstring tendon).
Falkirk are expected to be without Lewis Neilson (ankle), Gary Oliver (hamstring), Ross MacIver (ankle) and Tom Lang (foot) although all are close to returning.
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSSt Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before their Scottish Premiership match at home to Falkirk.
Here are the key points:
Robinson says the Buddies are close to bringing in a new signing, having identified the need to recruit two in forward areas.
"Whether that's in time for Saturday, I'm not sure, but we are actively trying to do that at this moment in time," he said. "We've got one that's very close and another one that's bubbling. It's an area that we need more bodies in, more experience in."
Robinson admitted "it's getting harder" to get deals over the line, particularly in January given the limited resource he has at his disposal.
"We're not the only club in the division obviously doing that," the Northern Irishman said. "There's three or four other clubs like us trying to find free transfers. That's usually what you end up with in January at our level."
"It's trying to cherry-pick the best that suits us with good characters that you can utilise or people that have been injured that maybe are trying to find their way back again. It's something we're used to dealing with."
However, Robinson believes the recent Premier Sports Cup final win and strong league finishes act as "a brilliant selling point" in recruiting players to the club.
"What we can do is show them that there's a real platform to develop here," he said. "Three top-six finishes and a cup win. Miguel Freckleton had a real opportunity to go to a League One club, but he chose here. I think it's the best career decision he's made."
The Saints boss adds: "Stories like that and success stories like the cup and the top-six finishes certainly help bridge the gap between the money because sometimes people see, and good agents see, that this is a real platform to play football in."
Robinson described three points against Falkirk as "vitally important" off the back of defeat by Motherwell that leaves them 10th in the table, albeit with games in hand on teams around them.
"The performance was poor last week," he admitted. "The players accepted that. I accepted that. They've reacted brilliantly to that and I reminded them of the five previous games unbeaten and the second-half performance against Rangers."
We asked for your views on what business St Mirren need to do in the January window.
Here's what some of you said:
John: St Mirren really need a striker in this transfer window.
Stevie: A striker first and foremost. Would love Ronan Hale. An attacking midfielder like Blair Spittal, and another player with pace, maybe Toyosi Olusanya back on loan? And another centre-mid.
Finn: As Jonah Ayunga is injured again I think we need to bring in another striker. Someone like Olusanya who's got that pace, flair and can create goals out of nothing. Dan Nlundulu and Mikael Mandron are both good but we just don't have that pace yet.
JayDee: Saints need a midfielder and a striker as cover for injuries. We do have Oisin Smyth at Partick Thistle and James Scott at Ross County. Both can be recalled, so we do have options 'close' to home.
Adam: We definitely need a pacy striker and a right-wing-back.
