St Mirren Youth Academy graduate Ethan Erhahon made his 50th first-team appearance for St Mirren on Saturday.

The 19-year-old was a second-half substitute in the Saints' narrow loss to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

Ethan, who has been with the club since the age of five, made his St Mirren debut at 16 in a Challenge Cup tie against Raith Rovers at the SMiSA Stadium in 2017. He would make one further appearance in the 2017/18 season on the final day of the Scottish Championship season. 

In the 2018/19 season, Ethan would become a regular in the first-team making 20 Scottish Premiership appearances in the unfamiliar role of left-back. But chances were limited for the midfielder the following season as he was reduced to just four league cup appearances.

This season has seen Ethan feature on a regular basis for Jim Goodwin's side having made 22 appearances across all competitions and in November 2020, the midfielder extended his St Mirren contract until the summer of 2023. 

St Mirren lost their first game of 2021 as Jim Goodwin's side were narrowly beaten by St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

Chris Kane's early second-half goal was enough to give the hosts all the points on a poor afternoon for Paisley Saints who finished the game with 10 men as Cammy MacPherson was shown red.

Jim Goodwin made two changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Motherwell last week with MacPherson and Eamonn Brophy coming in for Ethan Erhahon and Kyle McAllister. 

Neither side created much to threaten either goalkeeper in the opening 45 minutes. David Wotherspoon curled a free-kick wide on 21 minutes, while Joe Shaughnessy nodded wide from a Jamie McGrath set piece two minutes later.

Shaughnessy made a vital block to deny Guy Melamed after Chris Kane had spun away from Conor McCarthy to race forward into space. Kane slipped the ball wide to Melamed who broke into the St Mirren box and checked on to his left foot but had his effort blocked by the Saints skipper. It was a vital block from the Irishman with the Israeli striker looking primed to break the deadlock just after the half-hour mark.

Saints couldn't have wished for a worst start to the second-half when the hosts took the lead within 30 seconds of the restart. Kane raced on to a Melamed flick-on and despite Jak Alnwick getting a strong block in on the first effort, the St Johnstone striker rolled home the rebound. There was frustration from Saints given the ball had come off Melamed's arm in the build-up to the goal.

St Mirren's afternoon went from bad to worse when they were reduced to 10 men with Cammy MacPherson given his marching orders on 56 minutes. The midfielder was booked just before half-time for a foul on Melamed and received his second booking for a foul on the same man.

Kane should have doubled his and St Johnstone's tally on 67 minutes when he was picked out in acres of space by Wotherspoon. The striker's effort was brilliant turned over by Alnwick who made a terrific one-handed save to tip over.

Saints were still probing despite only having 10 men, but the closest they came was on 82 minutes when McCarthy headed over from McGrath's free-kick.

In truth it was a quiet afternoon for St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark and a disappointing day for the Paisley Saints.

Full-Time: St Johnstone 1-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait, McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, MacPherson, Connolly (Erhahon 60), Erwin (Obika 87), Brophy (Quaner 68, McAllister 87)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Flynn, Foley, Durmus, Dennis

St Johnstone: Clark, Rooney, Kerr, McCart, Tanser, McCann, Bryson (Craig 88), Wotherspoon (Davidson 68), Gordon, Melamed (May 68), Kane (Hendry 82)
Subs Not Used: Parish, Booth, Craig, Conway, O'Halloran

Referee: Steven MacLean
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: David Dunne
Fourth Official: Matthew MacDermid 

St Mirren Football Club is delighted at the Decision of the Judicial Panel at the Appeal Hearing. The Club thanks the Panel for their review of the case and their determination that the sanctions handed out by the SPFL Tribunal was excessive and inappropriate.

The decision of the Appeal hearing that the matches be rearranged is a victory for common sense and the reduction of the fine from £40,000 suspended to £20,000 with £10,000 suspended is acknowledged by the Club.

The challenges facing everyone throughout this difficult time have never been underestimated by the Club and, the Club recognises that it will always strive to do its utmost to protect its players, staff and as soon as is safe, its loyal supporters.

The Club wishes to thank all of the supporters of St Mirren for their unwavering loyalty and dedication to the team and the Club as we navigated through this process. The messages of support have encouraged the Club to stand fast and fight against the injustice that was placed upon the Club.

We would also like to thank the supporters and clubs from around the world who have shown solidarity with ourselves during this time.

We hope that as we progress through this difficult time, no other Club faces the trials and tribulations that St Mirren and Kilmarnock FC have gone through and instead a common sense and supportive approach is taken by governing bodies to support members in unprecedented times.

We would finally like to thank our legal team of Addleshaw Goddard and Robert Milligan QC for their professionalism, advice and support throughout this process.

The Club will update supporters further in due course and we look forward to finishing the season with success on the pitch.

Disorderly Conduct means;

(i) Conduct which stirs up or sustains, or is likely or designed to stir up or sustain, hatred or ill will against or towards a group or persons based on their membership or presumed membership of a group defined by reference to a Category or against an individual who is or is presumed to be of the following categories: 

• Gender, colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origin
• Membership or presumed membership, of a religious group or of a social or cultural group with perceived religious affiliation
• Sexual orientation
• Transgender identity 
• Disability

 by the person or persons engaged in the Conduct to be a member of such group.

(ii) Using threatening, abusive or insulting words or conduct

(iii) Displaying any writing or other thing which is threatening, abusive or insulting, or

(iv) Using words or conduct or displaying wiring or other thing which indicates support for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation or group proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000, and any successive or replacement legislation thereto: 

Sanctions;

Any Person committing Disorderly conduct and/or any person who assists another or others to commit Disorderly conduct, may be subject to any, or a combination of the following;

• Refusal of entry to the stadium
• Removal from the stadium
• Suspension from attending matches of St Mirren
• Indefinite ban from attending matches of St Mirren
• Be the subject of a report to Police Scotland and/or any prosecuting authorities which may result in possible criminal proceedings

Reference:     

Supporters Code of Conduct

Crowd Disorder and Anti-Social Behaviour

Stadium Regulations

Supporters Charter

Unacceptable Conduct

St Mirren Football Club endorses the principle of Equality and is committed to ensure that everyone who wishes to be involved with St Mirren Football Club, regardless of their role, current or potential:

• have a genuine and equal opportunity to participate to the full extent of their own ambitions and abilities, regardless of their age, sex, gender identity, disability, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion, race, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation; and
• can be assured of an environment in which their rights and dignity and individual worth are respected and valued, and in particular that they are able to be involved and participate without the threat of discrimination, intimidation, victimisation, bullying, harassment or abuse.

The Board of St Mirren Football Club and Chief Executive are accountable for Equality and Diversity and will receive regular updates on the activities and practices of the Club including the implementation of the Equality Policy.  It is the role of the Board and Chief Executive to address any concerns relating to Equality and Diversity within the Club.

Reference       

Equality Act 2010 Policy

Anti-Discrimination Policy

Anti-Racism Policy

Saints are back on the road this weekend as Jim Goodwin's men travel to Perth to face St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

The Buddies have made an unbeaten start to 2021 following 1-1 draws with both Kilmarnock and Motherwell.

St Johnstone also began their year with a 1-1 draw when they travelled to Dingwall to face Ross County on the 2nd of January.

The Perth side were due to play Dundee United last Saturday, but a frozen pitch meant that match was rescheduled for Tuesday night. Guy Melamed and Chris Kane scored as they drew 2-2 with the Tannadice side. 

Match Details

St Johnstone v St Mirren
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Saturday 16th January 2021
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: McDiarmid Park

How to watch the match

St Johnstone will be offering PPV for Saturday's match at a cost of £17.50. PPV is available to buy at this link.

International subscribers to St Mirren TV can watch on St Mirren TV as part of their subscription.  

Manager's Thoughts

"You know what you're going to get with St Johnstone.

"I went through to Tannadice on Tuesday night and thought St Johnstone were excellent. Their run of form on paper probably doesn't suggest that they are doing too well but they are a very good side.

"Callum [Davidson] has them playing some really good football. We're going to have to be at our best on Saturday to try and get the kind of result that we want."

Previous

St Mirren came out on top when the sides met six days before Christmas. St Johnstone had taken the lead twice with first-half goals between Stevie May and Scott Tanser goals sandwiched between an Ethan Erhahon strike. But late goals from Lee Erwin and Jon Obika saw the Paisley Saints win 3-2. 

St Johnstone were the victors when Saints travelled to McDiarmid Park back in August with Stevie May grabbing the game's only goal. 

Who are the officials?

Nick Walsh is the referee on Saturday and he is assisted by Graeme Stewart and David Dunne. Matthew MacDermid is the fourth official. 

St Mirren have been drawn to face Hamilton Academical away in the third round of the Scottish Cup. 

The tie was due to take place on the weekend of Saturday 30/Sunday 31st of January 2021, but following a decision from the Scottish FA board to put a temporary suspension of all football beneath the Scottish Professional Football League Championship, the Scottish Cup has also been temporarily suspended. 

The match will be rearranged and a new date will be announced in due course.

Neither side could be separated in St Mirren's first home match of 2021 as Jamie McGrath's late penalty earned Saints a share of the spoils against Motherwell.

The Irishman made it seven goals for the season when he netted from 12 yards 11 minutes from time after Devante Cole had given the visitors a first-half lead.

Both sides pressed for a winner in the closing stages but had to settle for a point.

Motherwell came into the match with Graham Alexander having been named as their new manager on Thursday night. And the visitors had clearly been given a lift by his appointment as they started brightly at the SMiSA Stadium.

Saints grew into the match with Marcus Fraser volleying wide from 15 yards on 11 minutes before McGrath, who scored the winner the last time these sides met, went close to breaking the deadlock on 14 minutes when he drilled wide from 20 yards. 

Lee Erwin and Kyle McAllister then both dragged wide from outside the area in the next couple of minutes as Saints went in search of the opener.

But Motherwell started to take a grip on the first-half and should have been ahead on 22 minutes when Liam Polworth's pinpoint cross met the head of an unmarked Tony Watt who had his header brilliantly blocked by Jak Alnwick.

Three minutes later Cole fired wide from just inside the box and would have been disappointed not to have hit the target.

But Motherwell did go ahead on 27 minutes with Cole atoning for his miss. Saints couldn't clear a Polworth corner which allowed Watt to nod back across with Cole firing home from close range.

Dylan Connolly was picked up by Erwin who played a wonderful through ball for the winger, but his goal-bound effort was blocked by Stephen O'Donnell six minutes before the break.

Saints were looking better in the second-half and should have been level just after the hour mark. McGrath did brilliantly to pick out Ethan Erhahon in the Motherwell box but the midfielder sent it agonisingly wide of the left-hand post. 

Heading into the final 10 minutes Jim Goodwin's men were awarded a penalty when Erwin went down challenge of Declan Gallagher. Referee Bobby Madden to point to the spot with McGrath stepping up and making no mistake from 12 yards to draw Saints level.

Both goalkeepers ensured that neither side would take three points from the game with Kelly saving well from an Ilkay Durmus free-kick, before Alnwick made an unbelievable stop to tip away O'Hara's free-kick attempt.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-1 Motherwell

JIM GOODWIN POST-MATCH REACTION

EAMONN BROPHY POST-MATCH REACTION

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (Durmus 76), McAllister (Brophy 57), McGrath, Connolly, Erwin
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Sheron, Flynn, Foley, MacPherson, Jamieson

Motherwell: Kelly, O'Donnell, Gallagher, Mugabi, Carroll, O'Hara, Campbell, Polworth, Cole (Maguire 84), Watt, Hastie (White 72)
Subs Not Used: Morrison, Devine, Cornelius, Crawford, Seedorf, Grimshaw, McGinley

Referee: Bobby Madden
Assistant Referee: Dougie Potter
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Scott Lambie

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce that Eamonn Brophy has joined the club on loan until the end of the season.

The 24-year-old forward agreed a pre-contract with Saints earlier this week to move to the SMiSA Stadium permanently in the summer on a three-year deal.

However, following an agreement between the two sides this evening, Eamonn will join up with the Buddies early. The striker will wear the number 29 jersey and could go into the squad for tomorrow's match against Motherwell.

Speaking exclusively to stmirren.com, Eamonn said: "I'm absolutely delighted.

"When I spoke to the gaffer I felt this was the right place for me. I was fortunate enough to have a number of options but this was the one that felt right for me. 

"I've watched the team a number of times this season and I like the way they play and I think it will suit me.

"Hopefully I can help bring goals to the team and help the team win as many games as possible."

Speaking to the press yesterday, Jim Goodwin said: "I have to thank the board and I have to thank Tony Fitzpatrick for all their help in order to get it over the line.

"It’s all well and good talking about top six and talking about cup runs. But we have to back that up with quality signings. Hopefully Eamonn will add to that.

"Other than just scoring goals I love his all-round attitude. He’s my type of player. He works hard for the team and he doesn’t give centre-halves a second on the ball."

The club is excited to welcome Eamonn to the SMiSA Stadium and wish to thank Kilmarnock for their professionalism during this process. 

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of striker Collin Quaner subject to international clearance.

The 29-year-old German forward joins the club on a deal until the end of the season.

Collin began his career at Fortuna Dusseldorf in his native Germany, before spells at Arminia Bielefeld, FC Ingolstadt, Hansa Rostock and VfR Aalen before joining Union Berlin in 2015.

His form in Germany’s capital led to a move to English side Huddersfield Town in January 2017. Collin became a cult hero at the Terriers as he played his role in the club securing promotion to the English Premier League before leaving the club in July 2020.

Collin will be unavailable for tomorrow’s match, but could go into the squad for the St Johnstone match next weekend.

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin said: "Collin is a striker who has played at a high level in Germany with Union Berlin. Huddersfield bought him from there and he played a number of games in the English Premier League.

"He comes with a real good pedigree and we’re really excited to see about what Collin can bring to the team.

"He’s six foot three, a really good athlete with a great turn of pace. He’s been training with Schalke for the last couple of months and he’s been looking after himself. We’re very lucky to get him."