St Mirren made it three wins from three in 2022 as Connor Ronan's fourth goal of the season gave us all three points against Aberdeen. 

It was a moment of quality from the Irishman in a game that didn't have much of it with Saints making the perfect return from the winter break so far. 

Jim Goodwin made three changes to the side that defeated Ayr United in the Scottish Cup on Saturday with Alan Power, Jamie McGrath and Eamonn Brophy coming in for Ethan Erhahon, Kyle McAllister and Kristian Dennis. 

A bright start from the Buddies saw an early penalty appeal after Greg Kiltie had nutmegged Scott Brown and sent a dangerous ball across the face of the box inside the first 30 seconds. David Bates cleared with his head but the nearby Saints players were adamant it came off his hand. The resulting corner saw Jay Henderson fires a half-volley over the bar from the edge of the area. Two minutes later Saints came close again from another when Marcus Fraser headed inches by the post. 

Aberdeen's grew into the game but didn't create anything to trouble Jak Alnwick until the final minute of the opening 45. While Lewis Ferguson had gone close when let fly from 20 yards with a vicious strike which curled just by the far post, it was Calvin Ramsay's effort just before the break that forced the Saints goalkeeper to tip over.  

The Dons started the second-half the stronger with captain Brown curling over from 20 yards early into the second 45. Brown was involved again a few minutes later when he looked to take advantage of a mix-up in the Saints defence but Scott Tanser was able to clear off the line.

Saints were sparked into life just after the hour-mark when Ronan slammed home the opener. It looked like the chance was gone when Kiltie's ball across the box missed everyone but Ronan was able to recover the ball before shifting on to his right foot and firing into the far corner with a beautiful curling strike. 

Connor Ronan slams home the winner (Image: Jeff Holmes)

In a match of few chances one goal would be enough to secure the points for Jim Goodwin's men as they moved to within three points of the top six. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Aberdeen

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Tanser, Power, Ronan (Erhahon 78), Henderson, Kiltie, McGrath, Brophy (Greive 72)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Tait, Flynn, Reid, McAllister, Dennis, Erwin

Aberdeen: Lewis, Ramsay (Kennedy 78), McCrorie, Bates, Campbell, Ojo, Brown, Ferguson, Jenks (McLennan 73), Hedges (Emmanuel-Thomas 62), Ramirez
Subs Not Used: Woods, Gallagher, McGeouch, Barron, Milne

Referee: Grant Irvine
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Steven Traynor
Fourth Official: William Collum

Attendance: 4,829

Tickets for our trip to Easter Road next weekend are now available at the St Mirren Ticket Office.

Jim Goodwin's side head through to the capital on Saturday 5th February to face the Hibees in cinch Premiership action.

Hibernian vs St Mirren
cinch Premiership
Venue: Easter Road, Edinburgh
Date: Saturday 5th February 2022
Kick-off: 3pm

The ticket prices as follows:

* - Over 65 or full-time student with valid matriculation card

Regular prices for wheelchair/ambulant disabled with free carer. We have been allocated with five wheelchair spaces and five carer seats. Ambulant disabled must be in receipt of Higher Rate DLA or Enhanced PIP for a carer. 

There will be no sale on tickets on the day.

The Ticket Office hours for the remainder of the week are as follows:

St Mirren Ticket Office Tel: (0141) 840-6130.

St Mirren Ticket Office E-Mail: tickets@stmirren.com

#BUDDIEBINIT

2021 marked the year when St Mirren became a fan-owned football club, a development that strengthened our community roots. As a club that takes its social and community responsibilities seriously, 2021 was also the year when we began our efforts to drastically reduce our carbon footprint.

Recycling Bins

Currently, we have general waste and recycling bins situated in the concourses, and we are in the process of installing new recycling bins pitchside. We want to reduce our environmental impact as much as possible and the first step is to use these bins effectively. During post-clean up the SMiSA Volunteer Squad are responsible for ensuring general waste and recyclables are divided and disposed of, and with the help from the fans, we want to make their job as easy as possible.

Food kiosks

Our catering partners Pie Sports use materials for food and beverages which are over 90% recyclable, whilst also providing vegetarian/vegan/halal food alternatives. We are working closely with Pie Sports to ensure consistency across the club.

Energy usage

To reduce energy usage within the stadium we are working with Zero Waste Scotland to gain an energy measurement to show the positive impact our efforts are having on energy usage.

Internally we are changing behaviours so that we may be as energy efficient as possible, these habitual changes can be reflected in home life too. 

• Shut down computers instead of standby
• Use LED light bulbs instead of incandescent
• Unplug idle electronics
• Use a power socket to reduce plug load
• Turn down the thermostat when not using the room

Standard Practice

A letter of commitment has been sent to the United Nations, which states that we, St Mirren FC, are committed to aligning our practices with the 5 principles of the Sports for Climate Action Framework, listed below:

1. Undertake systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility
2. Reduce overall climate change
3. Educate for climate action
4. Promote sustainable and responsible consumption
5. Advocate for climate action through communication

There are currently 3 senior football clubs in the UK that have made a commitment to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework: Manchester Utd, Forest Green Rovers and Hibernian.

Click the link for more details: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Sports_for_Climate_Action_Declaration_and_Framework.pdf

St Mirren vs Aberdeen
cinch Premiership
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium, Paisley
Date: Tuesday 25th January 2022
Kick-off: 7:45pm

The match day officials for Tuesday's match against the Dons are as follows:

Referee: Grant Irvine
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Steven Traynor
Fourth Official: William Collum

Match Details

The game kicks-off at 7:45pm.

Season Tickets ARE valid for this game.

Match is all ticket – tickets will be on sale (subject to availability) UNTIL KICK-OFF.

On the match day St Mirren fans can purchase their tickets (subject to availability) at the St Mirren Ticket Office from 10:00am to 2:00pm or 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The West Stand Ticket booth will also be open for tomorrow night's match. Away end tickets are only available through Aberdeen.

The fastest and easiest way to buy tickets is online at stmirren.com/matchtickets. This will provide supporters with a QR code directly to their phones that will be scanned at the turnstiles for entry. 

St Mirren season ticket holders who cannot attend the match can watch live on St Mirren TV. Season ticket holders who wish to access St Mirren TV should click this link and follow the instructions in the article. 

The match will also be live on St Mirren PPV at a cost of £14.99. As the game is on a midweek night, PPV will be available in England. Andy Webster will be the St Mirren TV guest while Campbell Money will be on co-commentary.

The St Mirren Ticket Office (Main Stand) opening hours in the build up to this match are as follows:

Tue,  10:00am to 2:00pm and 5:00pm to 8:00pm

Ticket Office Phone No: (0141) 840-6130
St Mirren Ticket Office E-Mail: tickets@stmirren.com

Covid status checks

Spot-checks of Covid status will be in force for this match. These will take place at check-points ahead of arrival at the turnstile. Supporters are requested to bring their vaccine status with them and be prepared for it to be checked. 

Supporters will need to provide evidence of one of the three options below:

• Be fully vaccinated, which will include a booster vaccine for those who had a second dose more than four months ago.
• Have tested negative for COVID-19 virus in the previous 24 hours.
• Are exempt.

Supporters will be refused entry to the stadium if they do not have their vaccine status.

Under 18’s are exempt from providing their vaccine status.

Visitor Information

St Mirren Football Club can confirm that we have reached an agreement with St Johnstone for the immediate transfer of Cammy MacPherson.

Cammy - who initially joined the Perth Saints on loan in August - signs for Callum Davidson's side for an undisclosed fee with a potential future sell-on fee percentage. 

A St Mirren Academy graduate, the 23-year-old made his St Mirren debut in 2017 at the age of 18 and went on to make 93 appearances in the black and white scoring five goals.

We thank Cammy for his contributions during his time at St Mirren and wish him all the best for the future.

St Mirren's first home match of 2022 takes place on Tuesday as the Buddies host Aberdeen at the SMiSA Stadium.

Saints are unbeaten in their last four home matches - drawing all four against Celtic (0-0), Hibernian (1-1), Ross County (0-0) and Livingston (1-1).

Jim Goodwin's side have won both their matches since returning from the winter break - defeated Dundee United at Tannadice in the cinch Premiership and Ayr United in the Scottish Cup.

Aberdeen held Rangers to a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie last week on their return from the winter break before defeating Edinburgh City 3-0 in the Scottish Cup.

Match Details

St Mirren v Aberdeen
Competition: cinch Premiership
Date: Tuesday 25th January 2022
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium

Ticket Info

Season tickets are valid for Tuesday's match.

Non-season ticket holders can buy tickets at stmirren.com/matchtickets. Away end tickets are only available through Aberdeen.

The match will also be live on St Mirren PPV at a cost of £14.99. As the game is on a midweek night, PPV will be available in England. 

Covid Status

Please note that supporters will need to provide evidence of the below on approach to turnstiles and will need to be turned away if not meeting one of the three options below:

• Be fully vaccinated, which will include a booster vaccine for those who had a second dose more than four months ago.
• Have tested negative for COVID-19 virus in the previous 24 hours.
• Are exempt.

Supporters will be refused entry to the stadium if they do not have their vaccine status.

Under 18’s are exempt from providing their vaccine status.

Previous

This is the third meeting between the two sides this season with both sides boasting a win each.

A brace from Connor Ronan and a goal from Curtis Main saw Saints defeat the Dons 3-2 at the SMiSA Stadium back in September. 

Aberdeen were victorious when the Buddies visited Pittodrie last month with Stephen Glass' men winning 4-1.

The Buddies are unbeaten in their last three home matches against the Dons - stretching back to February 2020.

Connor Ronan puts Saints ahead the last time we faced Aberdeen (Image: Jeff Holmes)

The officials

The referee on Tuesday night is Grant Irvine. He's assisted by Graeme Stewart and Steven Traynor. Willie Collum is the fourth official.

Jim Goodwin praised the professionalism of his players as they defeated Ayr United to secure their place in the Fifth Round of the Scottish Cup.

Today was about coming here and getting the job done. I'm delighted with the application of the players."

St Mirren will face Kelty Hearts in the Fifth Round of the Scottish Cup after a routine win over Ayr United at Somerset Park.  

Kyle McAllister and Greg Kiltie scored first-half goals to secure Saints' place in the next round to face a Kelty side that defeated last season's Scottish Cup winners St Johnstone. 

Despite a bright start from the hosts that saw James Maxwell drag wide with only 30 seconds on the clock, it was Jim Goodwin's side who took the lead. McAllister headed home after being met by at the back stick by Scott Tanser. 

Saints took a grip on the match and we were well on top in the opening exchanges as they searched for a second. It nearly came on 17 minutes when skipper Joe Shaughnessy got on the end of a dangerous Kiltie ball across the face of the box, but the home side managed to scramble clear for a corner. A minute later Connor Ronan was a whisker away from making it two with a half-volley from range. 

The Buddies would double their lead on 24 minutes when Kiltie netted his first goal for the Saints. The midfielder - who was unlucky to see one disallowed in Tuesday's win against Dundee United - raced on to a lovely pass from Jay Henderson and made his way into the box before slotting beyond Aidan McAdams. 

Greg Kiltie slotted home his first goal for the Saints to put us 2-0 up (Image: Allan Picken)

A dominant first-half performance saw us go into the break 2-0 ahead and the second-half was similar stuff as Goodwin's men looked to stretch their lead. McAdams made two good stops in the space of four minutes just after the hour mark to deny Ronan and Kiltie.

Those two opportunities were the first of four in a 10 minute spell of relentless Saints pressure. Shaughnessy should have scored when he was found unmarked in the box by Henderson, but bulleted the header over from close-range and then, in his final act of the game before being substituted, Kiltie drove a strike inches by the far post from an angle. 

Ayr United introduced Fraser Bryden and Tomi Adeloye as they looked to find a way back into the match but couldn't muster up anything to worry the Buddies who will face League Two league leaders Kelty Hearts in the Fifth Round. 

Full-Time: Ayr United 0-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Tanser, Henderson, Ronan, Erhahon (Flynn 54), Kiltie (Power 68), McAllister, Dennis (Greive 62)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Tait, Millar, Reid, Erwin, Brophy

Ayr United: McAdams, Muirhead, McGinty (c), Baird, Houston, Murdoch, Maxwell (O'Connor 46), Reading, Gondoh (Bryden 72), McKenzie, Moffat (Adeloye 72)
Subs Not Used: Albinson, Ecrepont, Fjortoft, McAllister, Chalmers, Afolabi

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: David Doig
Assistant Referee: Jonathan Bell

Jim Goodwin says that Saturday's Scottish Cup tie against Ayr United will be a new experience for some of his players. 

But the Buddies boss is looking forward to what he feels will be an exciting spectacle with than 2,000 Saints fans anticipated to make the journey to Somerset Park. 

It's a hell of a fanbase for us to take down there," he told the press.

"It should make for a great occasion. Hopefully we see a good game of football on the park and we go home happy at the end of it.

"It's a real old-fashioned, old-school ground and it should be a fantastic game.

"Some of the younger ones are used to turning up at the nice Premiership stadiums with the big dressing rooms and it's going to be very different on Saturday. It'll be a great experience for them all."

The manager isn't taking anything for granted despite knowing his side are favourites for Saturday's tie. 

It's all about making sure we get in the hat for the next round and we've got an extremely difficult game coming up.

"We will be the big favourites in a lot of people's eyes and rightly so being the Premiership team. Any time you go down to the lower divisions you are the team that is expected to win.

"But we all know that it doesn't always pan out that way and there will be absolutely no way in the world that we will underestimate Ayr United.

"We will prepare the exact same way we do any Premiership game and I just need to pick a system and personnel that I believe will be good enough on the day to make sure we win."

It's Scottish Cup action for Saints on Saturday as Jim Goodwin's side head to Somerset Park to face cinch Championship side Ayr United. 

Saints will be hoping to go one better in the Scottish Cup this season after reaching the semi-finals last year. The Buddies defeated Hamilton Academical, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Kilmarnock before being edged out by eventual winners St Johnstone at Hampden. 

Jay Henderson and Eamonn Brophy scored on Tuesday night at Saints defeated Dundee United 2-1 at Tannadice in their first match of 2022.

Ayr United entered the Cup at the Third Round stage - defeating League Two side Albion Rovers 2-1 at Somerset in November. 

Lee Bullen's side go into the match having won one and lost one in 2022. A 1-0 win over league leader Arbroath was followed up with a 2-0 loss at home to Morton.

Match Details

Ayr United v St Mirren
Competition: Scottish Cup
Date: Saturday 22nd January 2022
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: Somerset Park

Match Info

Tickets for Saturday's match are available online only at the following link.

We have sold over 1,700 tickets from our allocation of 2,800 and would strongly advise supporters to purchase tickets in advance of the match day. There will be no option to pay at the turnstile. More details on pricing of tickets and Covid status requirements can be found at this link.

There will be no St Mirren TV coverage of Saturday's match, however, Ayr United will be streaming the match live on PPV at a cost of £18. PPV can be purchased at this link.

Previous

St Mirren have won five and drawn two of their last seven against Ayr United with the most recent meeting coming at the SMiSA Stadium in April 2017. 

The Buddies were rampant that day as goals from Stevie Mallan, Gary MacKenzie, Stephen McGinn, Kyle Magennis, Lewis Morgan and Cammy Smith saw us run out 6-2 winners.

Saturday's match will be Saints' first visit to Somerset Park since a vital 2-0 win over the Honest Men back in February 2017. 

Adrift at the foot of the Championship, St Mirren headed to Somerset Park knowing that anything but a win would have all but doomed the Buddies to relegation to third tier. But second-half goals from John Sutton and Lewis Morgan saw Saints close the gap at the bottom to five points and prove to be a massive win in our great escape of 2016/17.

John Sutton celebrates after scoring in our last match at Somerset Park 

The officials

The referee on Saturday is David Dickinson and he's assisted by David Doig and Jonathan Bell.