St Mirren

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Stephen Robinson says leading St Mirren to European qualification this season would "definitely" be the greatest achievement in his managerial career so far because of the "challenges" he has faced.

The Paisley club, who complete the campaign with a trip to Celtic on Saturday, will secure a place in Conference League qualifying for a second successive year if they better the result of Dundee United, who host Aberdeen.

After ending St Mirren's 37-year wait for European football last season, Robinson says this year has been much tougher. Three new signings – Kevin Van Veen, Shaun Rooney and Jaden Brown - left the club amid separate court cases.

"I feel like it's three or four seasons rolled into one. The decisions the club had to make with players and the problems they faced was something you probably don't get when you manage for 30 years," said Robinson.

"But to have it all in a three-month period was difficult. But we've managed to come through it and I feel I'm a better manager for it.

"It's been unenjoyable at times. But we're in the top six with a chance of Europe with one game to go.

"So the lesson is that the bad times don't last forever. And tough people come through those times and this group of players have shown they're tough.

"We got a bit of a stick for celebrating reaching the top six. That was a relief on my part because we weren't in a relegation battle.

"Being in this division is a huge success for St Mirren. Being in the top six is a brilliant achievement. Being in Europe is something that happens once in a lifetime for most St Mirren fans. If we can do that twice in consecutive years, then that would be a super achievement."

St Mirren are unbeaten in five games, winning two of their post-split matches, and head to Celtic Park looking to spoil the party on the day the hosts lift the Premiership trophy.

"It's certainly not an impossible task. We've taken the whole European pressure off the players and said let's remain unbeaten in the top six. For St Mirren to be unbeaten in the top six would be what an incredible achievement," Robinson added.

"We can't affect what happens at Dundee United and Aberdeen. It'll be 100 degrees inside Celtic Park and their fans will be there to celebrate. So it's our job to try and put a little bit of a dampener on them."

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before St Mirren's final-day Premiership trip to Celtic.

Here are the key points from the Buddies boss:

• Robinson says leading St Mirren to European qualification this season would be the greatest achievement of his managerial career.

• With three players having had their contracts terminated because of separate court cases, Robinson says it's been the most difficult season he's experienced with about 30 years' worth of challenges in one campaign.

• Robinson has described stories linking him with managerial jobs at Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers as just "paper talk".

• He insists he's had no contact from any other clubs and is trying to build the St Mirren squad for next season.

• St Mirren - who can qualify for Europe if they better Dundee United's result against Aberdeen - will go to Celtic Park on 'trophy day' with a positive mindset and nothing to lose.

• Robinson says playing Celtic on their home turf is the hardest challenge his side could face and all the "small margins" that can determine the outcome will have to go the Buddies' way.

• The Buddies boss is till trying to tie down three or four players for next season, but Caolan Boyd-Munce will move on after rejecting a new deal.

Watch Sportscene pundits Michael Stewart and Charlie Mulgrew discuss St Mirren's disallowed goal in their 2-2 Premiership draw against Hibernian.

We asked for your views on St Mirren's 2-2 draw against Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Hugh: St Mirren were robbed, they had a good goal disallowed.

John: Another amazing effort from the players and management team. A remarkable season given all the setbacks we've had to overcome.

Iain: An awful first-half performance, but significantly better in the second half. Hibs were hanging on at the end. Don't know what Stephen Robinson did or said at half time, but it worked! The game was spoiled by VAR, as usual, and another inept referee who clearly is not up to it.

Douglas: Would Saints' disallowed goal have stood had any of the Old Firm scored it? Of course it would. As Robinson said, he has never ever heard of a fourth official giving a decision. If that's the case, why have VAR? Just another decision going against Saints, and a major mistake!

Andy: What a game. It looked pretty bleak after the first 10 minutes but the players dug in, and more than deserved a draw. Here's hoping for a miracle at Parkhead.

Alistair: What a great season, we've more than competed with the top-six sides and should have finished Hibs off. The VAR delays were a joke sitting in the stands and ruins the goal celebrations, hopefully this is sorted next season.

Watch highlights as St Mirren draw 2-2 against Hibs in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

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• Hibernian have lost 25 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Dundee (28) have lost more.

• St. Mirren are undefeated in their last 5 games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 6th August 2023 to 30th September 2023, a run of 7 games.

• Martin Boyle has contributed to goals in his last 3 games in the Premiership (3 goals, 0 assists).

• Martin Boyle has scored 14 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), more than any other Hibernian player.

• St. Mirren have scored in their last 5 games in the Premiership, their joint longest scoring streak this season.

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St Mirren fans, were you at the SMiSA on Wednesday night or were you following the action from home? Either way, we want your views on the draw with Hibs.

Have your say on the game.

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "We started poorly for our standards. But the reaction from the players after the first 15 minutes was tremendous. We got ourselves right back into the game. Created lots and lots of chances and half chances.

"And obviously we have the third goal disallowed. The fourth official made the decision that there was a foul in the build-up. But we asked the question, was it a different phase of play? He didn't give the foul straight away.

"If it is, then VAR have to overturn a decision that the fourth official made. I've never seen a fourth official make a decision to be fair, so that was strange to start with. But yeah, we're not saying it's right or wrong.

"But nobody seems to really be able to explain the decision and why it was classed as a different phase of play. We'll wait to hear that. We are still very much in with a chance of Europe with one game to go, which is amazing for the players.

"You've seen their desire, their energy, their quality tonight. We've got a real tough task at Celtic Park with probably 95 degrees in the stadium. But we'll go with nothing to lose.

"That decision I said to the fourth official, that's an incredibly big decision you've made because that's millions of pounds for a club of our size. And everyone's had decisions go against them.

"So, just an explanation would be nice. I'm no expert on the rule book. I should be, but I'm not. But yeah, it's frustrating. That is very, very frustrating. If it's proved to be wrong, then it could be very, very costly for us."

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Zach Hemming says he has played his best football with St Mirren and teased the prospect of a return to Paisley next season.

Hemming, 25, is on loan from parent club Middlesbrough for the second time and has been a key player as Stephen Robinson's side secured a third successive top-half Premiership finish.

The goalkeeper is under contract with Boro until the summer of 2026 and says his future depends on the English Championship club.

"I've enjoyed my time here," Hemming said of St Mirren. "It's probably the best I've played because I've enjoyed it so much. Maybe [I'll] come back next season and play in [European] games.

"Obviously I've still got another year at Middlesbrough so I've just got to see what Middlesbrough want to do and see if they've got any plans for me to stay.

"If not, 100% I would come back because I love it up here."

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• St Mirren have avoided defeat in all six of their league matches against Hibs since the start of last season (W4 D2); they had lost three in a row against Hibs before this.

• Hibs have only lost two of their past 12 Scottish Premiership away games at St Mirren (W7 D3), although are winless in their last three (D2 L1).

• St Mirren have only lost their final home league game in one of their past nine top-flight seasons (W3 D5 - including curtailed 2019-20 season), although are winless in their last four (D3 L1).

• Hibs have only won their final away game in one of their past eight top-flight seasons (D2 L5 - including curtailed 2019-20 season), a 1-0 win at Aberdeen in 2020-21.

• St Mirren have won three of their past four home league games (D1), as many as their previous 11 beforehand (W3 D2 L6).

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St Mirren captain Mark O'Hara will have a late fitness test, while Owen Oseni remains unavailable.

Hibernian pair Joe Newell and Rudi Molotnikov (both groin) are still out but Kwon Hyeok-kyu is available to return.

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

The difference in mentality on show in Dundee on Saturday was something to behold.

From the first whistle until the last, Stephen Robinson's side bore the unmistakable mark of a team who knew what was at stake. This should be no surprise for those who've watched the Buddies in the past three seasons. It was married with a clinical composure and creativity that made the performance all the more impressive.

The Saints cut their opponents open at will and took full advantage. Speaking afterwards, Robinson made clear that this was the St Mirren that his staff and players work towards being - quick, direct and urgent in their chance creation.

Rarely, in many years of watching St Mirren, have I seen us play through sides so simply with one-touch passing, or have so many deft touches around the opponent's box compounded by clever movement.

It has grown beyond any accusation of coincidence that St Mirren have dominated the closing stages of games this season.

Particularly in this stretch of games in the run-in, we have pressed into the 90th minute as if it was the first. We rain crosses and cutbacks down on our opponents whether we are seeking a winner, equaliser or greater margin of victory.

This comes down to both mentality and fitness. The mentality has been covered above, but the superior fitness shown time and again deserves equal attention.

St Mirren stepped out on the park this weekend looking like a tightly-drilled elite military unit, fresh from boot camp. Jim Goodwin's United looked like a school class running out the clock before the summer holidays.

Seven points in three games, coupled with none for United, means the margin between the sides is down to a mere two points. Aberdeen in fourth have also been hauled into the mix.

However, those two contrasting runs need to continue for two further fixtures and the Saints close with a visit to Celtic Park. I wouldn't bet against us, but have less trust in our rivals' continuing cooperation.

Make it into Europe or not, the Buddies have more than done their bit. Plaudits, evaluation and opinion should be based on that, not what happens at Tannadice or Pittodrie. In the most trying of seasons, in a variety of ways, St Mirren have delivered more than the sum of their parts.

Mark Jardine can be found on the Misery Hunters podcast., external

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson revealed finishing fifth in the Scottish Premiership and qualifying for a Conference League place would likely allow him to sign "one extra player, possibly two" this summer.

The Buddies are two points short of fifth-placed Dundee United, with Hibernian the visitors for the Paisley side's penultimate league fixture on Wednesday. United will be away to Rangers.

Robinson led St Mirren into a Conference League qualifying campaign this season and says it is "an incredible achievement" for St Mirren to still be in contention for European football next term.

"If we did get European football by some very, very small chance, it'll maybe one extra player, possibly two just to fill out the squad and make it a little bit stronger," said Robinson.

"We're quite set in stone in what we can and can't do. It's solely for what we believe we can achieve. We believe that we're good enough to be in Europe. If we got in, it would be a massive milestone for the football club.

"Financially, It helps attract players - that's what it does, when you're a European side. People want to come and be part of it so recruitment becomes easier, crowds are bigger, merchandise is bigger."

A trip to face champions Celtic on Saturday concludes St Mirren's season and Robinson joked it is "a nice easy task" at Parkhead should his side retain their European hopes after Wednesday.

Zach Hemming, 25, is nearing the end of his second loan spell at St Mirren and Robinson said "talks are quite advanced with Middlesbrough" regarding the goalkeeper's future.

"We know what positions we need to make stronger and maybe get something different in the football club," added Robinson. "We know what we need, getting it's another thing."

Meanwhile, captain Mark O'Hara will have a fitness test before the visit of Hibs and Evan Mooney is available again, but Owen Oseni misses out.

Jonathan Sutherland

Marcus Fraser: Has been impressive of late, highlighted again in the win at Dundee United, with St Mirren ending the season in impressive fashion.

Mikael Mandron: A constant threat and another goal. The suggestion of a Scotland call-up seems quite fanciful, but perhaps not the maddest idea.

Watch Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart analyse Mikael Mandron's goal for St Mirren in the 2-0 win at Dundee United. (Available to UK users only)

Watch highlights as St Mirren keep their European hopes alive by defeating Dundee United 2-0 to narrow the gap on fifth place to two points. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views on St Mirren's 2-0 win against Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Andy: What a team performance. Every player who pulled on the St Mirren jersey gave 100 per cent. Add to that the quality going forward and good solid defending and we thoroughly deserved the three points. Only disappointment was it was only 2-0, it should've been more.

Wallace: If they go the way they're going it will be great!

Peter: What can I say, totally dominated from start to finish. Some questioned whether or not we were a top six team, there's the answer, backed up by three top six finishes in a row. Only us and the Glasgow teams have achieved that status. I'm blown away. Man of the match? Hard to pick out an individual, they all stepped up to the plate.

Eddie: Well it's now getting interesting. We just need to beat Hibs and the dream should become reality. Yesterday we were very, very good. The score flattered United, they suddenly seemed to give up. We are not missing Toyosi [Olusanya] one little bit. No failures yesterday and our bench is full of players that won't weaken the team when changes are required. Roll on next season hopefully Robinson can bring in players to replace any who leave. The 25/26 rollercoaster is about to start.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson is on the shortlist of candidates for vacancies at Queens Park Rangers and Huddersfield Town. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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St Mirren fans, did you make the trip to Tannadice on Saturday or were you following the action from home? Either way we want your views on that big victory over Dundee United. How confident are you of securing a European spot?

Have your say on the game

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "We made harder work of it than we probably needed to.

"Some of the football and the chances that we missed, if we'd had the final product it could have been four or five. We stood up to it when we came under pressure. I'm delighted with the scoreline and delighted with the three points.

"Some of the play today was excellent. We're creating chances, I thought the front two [Jonah Ayunga and Mikael Mandron] deserve a special mention, I thought they were a handful. I'm glad they both scored, they both thoroughly deserved it. They give us a real platform to play.

"As a team we played very well, it should have been more comfortable but I think we limited United to very few chances.

"We've got a squad that don't know when they're beaten, they get through hard times together. I believe it's the highest points tally in modern history in the Premiership [for St Mirren] and the players deserve all the credit for that.

"All we can do is get another three points. Hopefully we can take it right to the last day but to be talking about Europe at this stage is a testament to this group of players."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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That's now four Premiership games unbeaten for Stephen Robinson's side, who are making things difficult for the other teams in the top six and forging their own path in a bid to sneak a European spot.

The front two of Mikael Mandron and Jonah Ayunga caused so many problems for United's backline while the defensive strength of Richard Taylor and Alex Gogic made it a relatively comfortable afternoon for Zach Hemming between the sticks.

Besides a brief spell at the start of the second half where United carved out some good opportunities, the Buddies never really looked troubled at the back.

The victory leaves them two points adrift of fifth place with two games to play, but with a visit from Hibs and a trip to Celtic to come, it's certainly not going to be easy.