St Mirren face Rangers for the second time this month as the Glasgow side visit Paisley for Scottish Premiership action.

The Buddies became the first side to defeat Rangers domestically this season when goals from Jamie McGrath and Conor McCarthy gave us a 3-2 win over Steven Gerrard's side in the Betfred Cup a little under two weeks ago.

Since that match Saints have beaten St Johnstone (3-2) and Ross County (2-0) in league duty, while losing narrowly to Hibernian (0-1) at Easter Road.

Rangers have won their three league matches defeating Motherwell (3-1), St Johnstone (3-0) and Hibernian (1-0)

Match Details

St Mirren v Rangers
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Wednesday 30th December 2020
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium

Can I watch the match?

Season ticket holders and international subscribers to St Mirren TV can watch the match as normal on St Mirren TV.

Non-season ticket holders and Rangers supporters can watch the match live on PPV at ppv.stmirren.com for just £12.50.

Gordon Smith will join our match day host for pre-and-post match summary, while Andy Webster is on co-commentary duty.

Previous

As mentioned above, St Mirren are the only side to have beaten Rangers domestically this season. The Saints knocked the Ibrox side out of the Betfred Cup at the quarter-final stage thanks to a dramatic late winner from Conor McCarthy.

Rangers were 3-0 winners when Saints visited Ibrox in league duty back in August.  

Who are the officials?

The referee on Wednesday is Alan Muir. He' assisted by Frank Connor and Ralph Gordon while Kevin Graham is the fourth official. 

Saints came away from a rainy Dingwall with a late Christmas present as goals from Marcus Fraser and Kristian Dennis gave the Buddies a 2-0 win over nine-men Ross County. 

Jim Goodwin's men were made to work for the points despite their advantage with County defending well until Fraser opened the scoring against his former club. The win made it three out of their last four on the road in the Scottish Premiership with Saints now sitting in seventh place on 21 points.

It was the home side who started brightly after taking kick-off. John Hughes' men created an opportunity within the first 30 seconds of the match with Ross Draper driving a low effort into the arms of Jak Alnwick from just inside the area. 

The goalkeeper was called into action again on four minutes when he made two terrific one-handed saves to deny County the opener. The first saw Alnwick react well to turn away a deflection off Conor McCarthy, with Ethan Erhahon on the line to head away. The ball came back in with Alex Iacovitti heading goal-ward only for Alnwick again to flick over.

Saints didn't get going in the opening stages and it was County who threatened again on 13 minutes when Jermaine Hylton found Stephen Kelly in space on the edge of the box. The on-loan defender took it first time but dragged well wide.

The Buddies grew into the game after a frustrating opening. Josh Reid was booked for the hosts when he pulled back Kyle McAllister on 17 minutes. The winger had a go from the resulting free-kick, but it cannoned off the wall.

Junior Morias had Saints best chance just before the half hour mark. The forward met a neat Erhahon flick and drove forward before unleashing a shot from 30 yards which Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw gathered at the second attempt. Less than later Jermaine Hylton did likewise for the home side with Alnwick pushing away with his chest. 

County were reduced to 10 men when Reid was given a second yellow card for another foul on McAllister. McGrath floated the free-kick in where it met the head of Lee Erwin who glanced wide.

Saints started the second-half well with ex-County player Marcus Fraser volleying just wide two minutes into the second 45. The defender didn't get the connection he would have wanted as he sclaffed just by Ross Laidlaw's left-hand post. 

Despite seeing plenty of the ball, St Mirren weren't creating any real clear cut opportunities to open the scoring which prompted manager Jim Goodwin to bring on Jon Obika and Ilkay Durmus on for Erwin and McAllister. 

Ross County were then down to nine men on the hour mark when Ross Draper was shown consecutive yellow cards. The midfielder was initially booked for a foul on Erhahon before being given another yellow for pushing the Saints midfielder in the aftermath.

As was to be expected coming up against nine men Saints pressed and pressed but still were unable to test Laidlaw. The manager made another double substitution by introducing Cammy MacPherson and Kristian Dennis in place of Erhahon and McGrath.

The Buddies continued to push for the opener with 20 minutes remaining. Durmus had a free-kick from 25 yards pushed away by Laidlaw, while Joe Shaughnessy knocked inches wide after getting on the end of Dennis' header across.

The breakthrough would finally come for St Mirren on 76 minutes when Fraser scored on his return to Dingwall. The defender was first to a County clearance and lashed home, via a deflection, from the edge of the area. 

Saints were almost two to the good a minute later when Tait rose to meet a cross only to see his header well saved by Laidlaw. 

It was all St Mirren in the closing stages and the Buddies put the seal on a good afternoon's work when Dennis nodded home from close range to score his first Saints goal and ensure the points would return to Paisley.

Full-Time: Ross County 0-2 St Mirren

JIM GOODWIN POST-MATCH REACTION

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser (Flynn 86), McCarthy, Shaughnessy, Tait, McGrath (Dennis 65), Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (MacPherson 65), McAllister (Durmus 57), Erwin (Obika 57), Morias 
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Flynn, Foley, Connolly, Jamieson

Ross County: Laidlaw, Morris, Draper, Shaw, Vigurs (Tremarco 39, Donaldson 82), Hylton, Watson (McKay 82), Iacovitti, Kelly, Paton, Reid
Subs Not Used: Doohan, Tillson, Wright, Williamson

Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: Douglas Ross
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Fourth Official: Steven Reid  

Saints make a Boxing Day trip to Dingwall as Jim Goodwin's men face Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

The Buddies head to the Global Energy Stadium following a narrow loss to Hibernian at Easter Road on Wednesday night. That ended an 11 game unbeaten run for St Mirren - the club's best run since 2005.

Meanwhile, Ross County sit bottom of the Scottish Premiership - five points off eighth placed Saints. A 2-0 loss to Hamilton on Saturday saw manager Stuart Kettlewell relieved of his duties with John Hughes coming in as replacement.

Hughes took charge of County for the first time on Wednesday night as the Highland side lost 2-0 to Celtic at Celtic Park.

Match Details

Ross County v St Mirren
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Saturday 26th December 2020
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: Global Energy Stadium

Can I watch the match?

Supporters can watch Saturday night's match live on Ross County's PPV channel. A PPV pass for Saturday's match will cost £15.

International subscribers to St Mirren TV can watch the match live as part of their subscription.

Manager's Thoughts

"I don't think watching their match against Celtic is going to give much away because I would expect them to line up differently against us.

"John Hughes is a good experienced manager, a good appointment I think. He'll be relishing the opportunity to be back in the game with Ross County. 

"He's a football man who likes to build from the back and likes to get the ball down and play. I don't suppose he's lost the way of thinking in his time out of the game.

"Ross County have got some very good players that I'm sure John will be looking forward to working with."

Previous

St Mirren welcomed Ross County to Paisley in August.

Jon Obika's first-half goal looked like it was was going to give Saints three points. But Joe Shaughnessy was given a red card in the second-half for a challenge on Ross Stewart. A Nathan Sheron own goal eight minutes after Joe's sending off earned County a 1-1 draw.

Current Saint Marcus Fraser scored a 92nd minute winner for the Staggies when St Mirren last visited Dingwall to give Ross County a 2-1 win. 

Who are the officials?

Colin Steven is the referee on Saturday. He'll be assisted by Douglas Ross and Calum Spence with Steven Reid the fourth official. 

St Mirren's unbeaten run came to an end as Hibernian picked up all three points thanks to a first-half goal from Kevin Nisbet. 

There was very little between the two sides beyond Nisbet's terrific finish on 18 minutes. That was the first real piece of play either side created in the opening period of the match. Martin Boyle was allowed to drift in from the right along the edge of the box before picking out Nisbet just inside the box. The striker didn't have much space to work with but took a touch to compose himself before stroking into the top corner leaving Jak Alnwick with no chance.  

Saints heads didn't go down after the Hibs opener with MacPherson having the visitors first opportunity of the march three minutes after the goal. The midfielder, in for the injured Jake Doyle-Hayes, swung a foot on a Marcus Fraser cross, but it was easy for Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano. Jamie McGrath was next to meet a Fraser ball on 26 minutes with the in-form Irishman nodding over.

Both sides made a change at the interval with Drey Wright on for ex-Saint Kyle Magennis, while Jim Goodwin brought on Ilkay Durmus for the injured Richard Tait.

Durmus could have made a quick impact but passed up a glorious chance to get Saints level six minutes after his introduction. The winger was found in acres of space inside the Hibernian box by a terrific MacPherson cross. He got the header wrong though and harmlessly nodded wide of target.  

With a little under 25 minutes to go Jon Obika was introduced to the fold in place of Lee Erwin. And the striker almost made an immediate impact when he latched on to a Ethan Erhahon ball over the top. He took it first time when he probably had more time than he thought which allowed Hibernian sub goalkeeper Dillon Barnes to gather. 

A minute later a fortuitous break of the ball following a Wright shot fell nicely for Hibs goalscorer Nisbet in acres of space at the back post. The striker looked like he was on hand to double his and Hibernian's tally only to inexplicably send the effort wide of target. 

Saints hopes of finding a leveller heading into the latter stages of the game were made tougher when Brandon Mason was giving his marching orders. The full-back could have no complaints after he was shown a second yellow card on 83 minutes after a foul on Martin Boyle.

There was still time for some late drama when Christian Doidge was shown a red card for the home side after catching Erhahon with a loose arm. 

Saints did commit men forward in an attempt to find an equaliser that would extend the unbeaten run to 12 matches but couldn't create the opportunity that would have got us level. 

Full-Time: Hibernian 1-0 St Mirren

WATCH - JIM GOODWIN REACTION

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait (Durmus 45), Connolly (Morias 70), McGrath (Dennis 70), MacPherson (McAllister 78), Erhahon, Mason, Erwin (Obika 66)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Foley, Flynn

Hibernian: Marciano (Barnes 57), P.McGinn, Hanlon (c), Porteous, Stevenson, Magennis (Wright 45), Hallberg (Gogic 90), Newell, Boyle, Doidge, Nisbet (Gullan 81)
Subs Not Used: Barnes, Gray, McGregor, Doig, S.McGinn, Bradley

Referee: Steven Kirkland
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeillie
Fourth Official: Don Robertson

As part of our #12DaysOfChristmas social media campaign we have given away a range of prizes including a box of pies courtesy of our friends at Pie Sports, a year's subscription to St Mirren TV and a half-season ticket for 2020/21. 

Now we have our biggest giveaway yet with our bundle prize. You could win the following items:

- A 2020/21 away shirt
- Signed limited edition Be In That Number posters featuring Jon Obika, Jak Alnwick, Richard Tait, Cammy MacPherson and Ethan Erhahon.
- A St Mirren scarf
- A St Mirren branded copy of FIFA 21
- A signed football
- A six-month subscription to St Mirren TV
- A phone wallpaper unique to you
- A personalised video message from the manager and a player of your choosing

To be in with a chance of winning we want you to share your best festive St Mirren stories, matches, memories, pictures etc. with us on social media. We'll pick our favourite with the winner being announced on Christmas Day.

Our Scottish Premiership fixture against Celtic, originally scheduled for Sunday 24th January 2021, has been rearranged.

Due to our qualification for the Betfred Cup semi-final the match will now take place at the SMiSA Stadium on Wednesday 10th February 2021 live on Sky Sports.

The new fixture details are below.

St Mirren v Celtic
Scottish Premiership
Venue: SMiSA Stadium, Paisley
Date: Wednesday 10th February 2021
Kick-off: 8pm

St Mirren are off to the capital to face fourth place Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

Jim Goodwin's side will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches when they take on the Hibees at Easter Road.

A 3-2 win over St Johnstone on Saturday capped off a perfect week for Saints following wins against Rangers in the Betfred Cup and away to Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

Hibernian are on a run of eight matches unbeaten since a 2-0 loss to Aberdeen at the start of November. Since that defeat Jack Ross' side have won five and drawn three. 

Match Details

Hibernian v St Mirren
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Wednesday 23rd December 2020
Kick-off: 6pm
Venue: Easter Road

Can I watch the match?

Supporters can watch Wednesday night's match live on Hibernian's PPV for £15.

International subscribers to St Mirren TV can watch the match live as part of their subscription.

Previous

St Mirren have faced Hibernian once this season back in September. 

Saints were dealt a major blow when all first-team goalkeepers were ruled out and Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal had to be drafted in at the last minute.

Hibernian ran out 3-0 winners with Kevin Nisbet, Joe Newell and Martin Boyle on the scoresheet.

The Buddies drew 2-2 when they last visited Easter Road in February. Conor McCarthy and Tony Andreu netted for Saints. 

Who are the officials?

The referee on Wednesday night is Steven Kirkland. He'll be assisted by Daniel McFarlane and Graham McNeillie. The fourth official is Don Robertson. 

Saints extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches after coming from behind twice to beat St Johnstone 3-2 at the SMiSA Stadium.

Ethan Erhahon's second goal of the season was sandwiched between goals from Stevie May and Scott Tanser in a disappointing first half for St Mirren.

But two late goals in the space of five minutes from Lee Erwin and Jon Obika gave the Buddies the win in the battle of the Saints. 

Erwin had the first opportunity of the game after a quiet opening to the match when his strike from distance was pushed over by St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark on 14 minutes.

On 18 minutes, man of the moment Jamie McGrath went close to scoring his sixth goal in five matches. The Irishman turned Murray Davidson brilliantly before driving a low effort just by Clark's right-hand post.

But four minutes later the Paisley Saints would find themselves behind. Referee Steven Maclean awarded the visitors a penalty when David Wotherspoon went down with minimal contact from Joe Shaughnessy. It looked soft but Stevie May stepped up and squeezed his effort just underneath Jak Alnwick to put St Johnstone in front.

With seven minutes of the half remaining St Mirren found an equaliser when youth academy graduate Erhahon slammed home. 

However, with half-time fast approaching St Johnstone took the lead for a second time. A loose clearance from Joe Shaughnessy fell straight to Scott Tanser who curled home from 20 yards. 

The first-half drama wasn't over there though as the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Jason Kerr was shown a straight red card for a lunge on Ilkay Durmus.

The Buddies dominated possession in the second-half but were finding it difficult to break down the 10 men. Indeed it was St Johnstone who went closest to extending their lead on the hour mark when Alnwick was forced into a wonderful save to tip Liam Gordon's header over the bar.

Jim Goodwin responded by introducing Obika and Kyle McAllister and the two would make the difference. McAllister sent a delightful chipped ball for Erwin to head home from a tight angle with eight minutes remaining to draw Saints level. Then, on 87 minutes, Obika managed to find himself free in the St Johnstone box to aim a header beyond Clark following another pinpoint McAllister ball to seal all the points and make it six wins from the last seven for Saints.

Full-Time: St Mirren 3-2 St Johnstone

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser (MacPherson 74), Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Tait, Connolly (Obika 61), McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (McAllister 61), Durmus (Mason 74), Erwin (Morias 85)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Flynn, Foley

St Johnstone: Clark, Kerr, Tanser, Gordon, McCart, Davidson (Melamed 90), McNamara, Wotherspoon (Bryson 74), McCann, Conway (Rooney 61), May (Hendry 74)
Subs Not Used: Parish, Booth, Craig, Kane, Ferguson

Referee: Steven Maclean 
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Scott Lambie

It's back to league football this weekend as we host St Johnstone at the SMiSA Stadium for a Scottish Premiership match-up.

We have a limited edition run of programmes, published in partnership with Curtis Sport, for the behind closed doors Scottish Premiership fixture played on Saturday 19th December.

This issue is a 32 pager with a £3 cover price.

This latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Ilkay Durmus.
Jim Goodwin - The St Mirren gaffer looks back at recent matches as well as looking ahead to the fixture against the Perth Saints.
The Opposition – We run the rule over Callum Davidson's St Johnstone squad.
St Mirren Programme Archive - Derek Drennan reviews a programme from a meeting between Saints and St Johnstone in 1984.
Centre Page Poster – Conor McCarthy.
Player Kit Sponsors 2020/21 – Check in to see who is sponsoring your favourite player's shirt for the season.
Marketing Matters – Campbell Kennedy updates on the latest events and happenings at the club's Commercial Department.
Yesterday's Saints – David Cochran looks back on the St Mirren career of Billy Mehmet.
Football Bloody Hell - Part one of Alan Gallacher's annual festive season quiz.
St Mirren Fixtures & Results 2020/21 – A handy reference page of all the fixtures and results for this season.
Team Lines – The two squads and match officials for Saturday's match.

To buy this issue or to place your programme subscription for the 2020/21 season click HERE.

It's a battle of the Saints on Saturday as St Mirren host St Johnstone at the SMiSA Stadium.

Both sides go into the match in confident form after qualifying for the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup. 

St Mirren ended Rangers 27 game undefeated run as Conor McCarthy's injury time goal gave the Buddies a 3-2 win.

The Perth Saints defeated Championship side Dunfermline on penalties on Tuesday night to make their way into the last four.

Match Details

St Mirren v St Johnstone
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Saturday 19th December 2020
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium

Can I watch the match?

Season ticket holders and international subscribers can watch the match on St Mirren TV. 

The match is also available to non-season ticket holders and away supporters on PPV for £12.50. 

Previous

This is the second meeting between the two after having faced each other at McDiarmid Park back in August.

Stevie May's 72nd minute goal gave the Perth Saints the points in the previous meeting.

Who are the officials?

The referee is Steven McLean. David McGeachie and Craig Ferguson are the linesmen. Scott Lambie is the fourth official.