Kyle McAlister’s first goal of the season helped the Buddies return to winning ways as they recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory against Kilmarnock at the SMiSA Stadium. McAlister’s first-half header was followed up by an opportunistic Jon Obika strike as the Paisley Saints inflicted a fifth-straight league defeat on Kilmarnock.

The visitors had the first real chance of the game in seven minutes when Greg Kiltie slipped the ball through the Buddies defence for Danny Whitehall but he dragged his shot wide of Dean Lyness’s goal.

Deputising for the suspended Jak Alnwick, Lyness was rarely troubled throughout with a well-timed header from the keeper denying Colin Doyle what would have been the definition of a route one goal.

Saints grew more into the game as the half wore on as McAllister and Jamie McGrath both saw efforts from 25 yards saved by Doyle.

After McAllister fired wide from 10 yards on 25 minutes, he made sure he wouldn’t miss second time round rising perfectly to head home from a similar range 13 minutes later to break the deadlock.

It could have been two just before half time when Jamie McGrath was played through but Doyle was quick off the mark to close him down and make the save.

Killie started the second half well, winning the first corner of the match before Alan Power’s effort from the edge of the box was blocked.

On the hour mark – and moments after he thought he’d been fouled in the box – Jon Obika made a nuisance of himself, leaving Power with egg on his face, as he robbed the midfielder in the box and coolly slotted the ball home for 2-0.

If anything summed up that it just wasn’t to be Kilmarnock’s day, it was a corner on 70 minutes. The initial ball in was headed only as far clear as Power on the edge of the box where he twice and Gary Dicker once had shots blocked with the Buddies prepared to put their bodies on the line to protect the clean sheet.

As Saints looked to see the game out, captain Joe Shaughnessy almost put the cherry on top of the cake from a corner on 88 minutes but he put the ball over the bar.

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-0 Kilmarnock

St Mirren: Lyness, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait, McAllister (Connolly 68), McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon, Durmus (Flynn 84), Obika
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Finlayson, Mason, Henderson, MacPherson, Erwin, Jamieson

Kilmarnock: Doyle, McKenzie, Medley, Ibsen Rossi, Haunstrup, Power, Dicker (c), Tshibola (Mulumbu 61), Pierrick (Burke 61), Kiltie (Kabamba 78), Whitehall (Pinnock 78)
Subs Not Used: Lyle, McGowan, Millen, Brindley, Dabo

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: John McCrossan
Assistant Referee: Jonathan Bell
Fourth Official: Peter Stuart

Saints are back in action on Saturday afternoon when we host Kilmarnock 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 6th February.

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

This latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Marcus Fraser.
Jim Goodwin - The St Mirren gaffer looks back on recent matches and gives his thoughts on Saturday's fixture against Killie.
The Opposition – We run the rule over the Kilmarnock squad.
St Mirren Programme Archive - Programme review by Derek Drennan from the match against Kilmarnock on 24th April 1993.
Centre Page Poster – Kristian Dennis.
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 highlights the St Mirren career of Steven McGarry.
Football Bloody Hell - Alan Gallacher reckons Scottish football isn't that far behind the game in England as some pundits would suggest.
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.

Saints are back at the SMiSA Stadium on Saturday as Jim Goodwin's side host Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

The Buddies come into the match on the back of a narrow 2-1 loss to Hibernian on Tuesday night. 

Saints have played six Scottish Premiership matches in 2021 - winning two, drawing two and losing two. 

Managerless Kilmarnock were soundly beaten by Celtic on Tuesday as they lost 4-0 at Rugby Park. Alex Dyer was relieved of his duties as manager last weekend following a 3-2 loss at home to St Johnstone.

The Ayrshire side have won one, drawn one and lost four of their last six. 

Match Details

St Mirren v Kilmarnock
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Saturday 6th February 2021
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium

How to watch the match

St Mirren season ticket holders and international subscribers to St Mirren TV can watch the match live on tv.stmirren.com.

The match is also available on PPV (ppv.stmirren.com) to supporters inside the UK and Ireland for £12.50. Click here to buy now. 

Lee Mair will join match day host Ali De Foy for live coverage. 

Previous

Saints' first match of 2021 saw us head to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock. A last-gasp own goal from ex-St Mirren goalkeeper Danny Rogers grabbed Saints a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Kilmarnock were narrow victors on their visit to the SMiSA Stadium in September with Nicke Kabamba's early strike the difference. 

Who are the officials?

The referee on Saturday is John Beaton. His linesmen are John McCrossan and Jonathan Bell. Peter Stuart is the fourth official.

10 man St Mirren were edged out by Hibernian at the SMiSA Stadium this evening.

Despite a strong performance in the opening 30 minutes, a first-half red card for goalkeeper Jak Alnwick left Saints under pressure with Hibernian taking advantage of their extra man in the second-half. 

Kristian Dennis, fresh from scoring two goals in his last two games, was proving a nuisance in the early stages. With 10 minutes on the clock the English forward flicked wide from 20 yards, before not being too far away six minutes later when he flashed another shot just by the right-hand post. The striker was then a whisker away from getting his toe on to Ryan Flynn's knock-on as St Mirren pressed for an opener.

But the Saints were dealt a major blow with nine minutes of the half remaining when Jak Alnwick was shown a straight red card. Jake Doyle-Hayes' loose back-pass was latched on to by Martin Boyle who raced through on goal. The Saints goalkeeper was out to try and avert the danger but brought the forward down 25 yards from goal. Referee Alan Muir showed no hesitation in pulling out the red card and in the stopper could probably have no complaints about the decision. 

Dean Lyness entered the fray and was immediately tested by ex-Saint Paul McGinn with a drive from the edge of the box which the goalkeeper held well. 

Both sides made a change at the break with Jon Obika replacing Ilkay Durmus and Ryan Porteous coming on for the visitors in place of Darren McGregor.

And within 10 minutes of his introduction, Porteous had put Hibernian ahead. The defender was up highest to bullet home a Boyle corner. 

Hibs were having the bulk of the possession as they searched for a second. Lyness made a terrific save on 66 minutes to tip over a Christian Doidge header after the forward found space to get on to the end of a Boyle cross from the right. 

With 20 minutes remaining the visitors were awarded a penalty kick when Jamie Murphy went down in the box under the challenge of Marcus Fraser. Boyle stepped forward and smashed down the middle to leave Saints with a mountain to climb.

But to the Buddies credit they never gave in and with just over 15 minutes remaining, Saints pulled a goal back to give them a lifeline heading into the final stretch. A quick counter saw substitute Dylan Connolly race clear of the Hibernian backline and pick out Jon Obika with a lovely ball across the face of goal allowing the striker to slam home. 

The Buddies did press as they looked for a leveller but couldn't test Marciano as the visitors held on for the three points. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-2 Hibernian

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait (McAllister 83), Durmus (Obika 46), Doyle-Hayes, Flynn, McGrath, Dennis (Lyness 38), Brophy (Connolly 54)
Subs Not Used: Finlayson, Mason, Erhahon, MacPherson, Erwin

Hibernian: Marciano, P.McGinn, McGregor (Porteous 46), Hanlon (c), Cadden (Nisbet 54), Gogic, Irvine, Doig, Boyle, Doidge, Murphy (Magennis 90)
Subs Not Used: Macey, Stevenson, Hallberg, Allan, Wright, Bradley

Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant Referee: Andrew McWilliam 
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Greg Aitken

Saints are back in action this evening as we host Hibernian 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 Tuesday 2nd February.

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

This latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Dylan Connolly.
Jim Goodwin - The St Mirren manager's thoughts on recent matches and his take on tonight's fixture against the Hibees.
The Opposition – A look over Jack Ross' Hibernian squad.
St Mirren Programme Archive - Derek Drennan reviews the programme for St Mirren's visit to Easter Road on 27th April 1985.
Centre Page Poster – Cammy MacPherson.
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 Jock Marshall.
Football Bloody Hell - Alan Gallacher admits that watching football has been a struggle for him in the Covid-19 era.
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 Tuesday's match.

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

St Mirren get set for the first of seven home games in February with Hibernian the visitors on Tuesday night.

The Buddies will host Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Celtic, Hamilton, Livingston, Motherwell and Ross County at the SMiSA Stadium this month. 

Jim Goodwin's men will approach the match in high spirits following terrific away wins against Dundee United and Celtic last week. 

Saints were 5-1 winners at Tannadice on Wednesday night before winning at Celtic Park for the first time in over 30 years on Saturday.

Hibernian come into the match having also won at Tannadice when they defeated Dundee United 2-0 on Saturday.

Match Details

St Mirren v Hibernian
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Tuesday 2nd February 2021
Kick-off: 6pm
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium

How to watch the match

St Mirren season ticket holders and international subscribers to St Mirren TV can watch the match live on tv.stmirren.com.

Tuesday's match is also available on PPV (ppv.stmirren.com) to supporters inside the UK and Ireland for £12.50. Click here to buy now. 

League Cup winner David Van Zanten joins match day host Ali De Foy for pre-and-post-match coverage. 

Previous

The Buddies have been on the losing end in both meetings between the two this season.

Hibernian ran out 3-0 winners at the SMiSA Stadium back in September, before narrowly defeating Saints 1-0 at Easter Road two days before Christmas.

St Mirren's last win over Hibernian was, ironically, when Jack Ross was in charge of Saints. A Stelios Demetriou double secured a 2-0 win over the Hibees in 2017.

Who are the officials?

Alan Muir is the referee on Tuesday night and he is assisted by Andrew McWilliam and Gordon Crawford. Greg Aitken is fourth official. 

St Mirren won at Celtic Park for the first time since 1990 after a brilliant 2-1 victory over Celtic.

Jim Goodwin's men were worthy winners with goals from Kristian Dennis and Ilkay Durmus either side of an Odsonne Edouard strike giving Saints their first away win against Celtic in over 30 years.

Saints showed intent from the get go with the manager opting to play a 3-4-2-1 formation with Durmus and Dylan Connolly playing off striker Dennis, while Kyle McAllister and Cammy MacPherson also came into the side. Dennis had a low drive held by Scott Bain on 12 minutes, before Jamie McGrath curled into the arms of the Celtic goalkeeper a few minutes later.

The Buddies early pressure would tell with Dennis scoring his second goal in as many games on 18 minutes. The striker latched on to a low Connolly ball from the right and smashed under Bain to put us in front. 

Saints were in control in the first-half, but would be pegged back just after 30 minutes when Celtic's French forward Edouard was found by Callum McGregor in the St Mirren box. He got in ahead of Conor McCarthy and managed to slot beyond Jak Alnwick. 

Within five minutes St Mirren were back in front. Durmus did brilliantly to get in ahead of Shane Duffy to meet a McAllister lob and fired home from the angle to put Saints ahead for a second time.

McAllister wasn't a million miles away from extending that lead early in the second-half with a go from distance. The drive from 25 yards was deflected just over the Celtic bar, but it looked like one of those efforts that could have ended up anywhere. 

Celtic made a number of changes in search of an equaliser with Ryan Christie and Albian Ajeti introduced to the fray just after the hour mark. The former slammed two attempts over the bar from distance. 

Saints had to be strong till the final whistle with Celtic probing in the final minutes. Tom Rogic curled an effort just wide of the far post, while an Edouard free-kick from a good area was deflected off the wall. 

Alnwick made a wonderful stop in the final minute of added time to deny Duffy and ensure all three points would, deservedly, make their way back along the M77 to Paisley.

Full-Time: Celtic 1-2 St Mirren

REACTION: JIM GOODWIN 

REACTION: JAK ALNWICK

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), McGrath, MacPherson (Obika 73), Erhahon, McAllister (Doyle-Hayes 62), Connolly (Tait 85), Durmus, Dennis (Brophy 62)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Flynn, Henderson, Jamieson

Celtic: Bain, Ajer, Bitton (Welsh 46), Duffy, Taylor, McGregor (c), Soro (Christie 62), Turnbull (Johnston 81), Elyounoussi (Ajeti 62), Griffiths (Rogic 46), Edouard
Subs Not Used: Barkas, Ralston, Laxalt, Klimala

Referee: Bobby Madden
Assistant Referee: Graeme Leslie
Assistant Referee: John McCrossan
Fourth Official: Duncan Williams

St Mirren Football Club can confirm that Sam Foley has left the club to join Motherwell FC.

The 34-year-old’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season, but he departs the club early to join the Lanarkshire side.

Sam joined St Mirren as one of Jim Goodwin’s first signings in August 2019 following the expiry of his deal at Northampton Town.

The Irish U21 cap quickly became a fan favourite at Saints making 31 appearances and scoring twice in his first season with his performances earning him the club’s official player of the year for 2019/20.

In the summer, Sam was named vice captain of St Mirren, before officially becoming club captain following the departure of Kyle Magennis. But game time has been limited for the midfielder over the last few months and he leaves to seek a new challenge.

Speaking on Sam’s departure, Jim Goodwin said: "I had a good, honest conversation with Sam and said I wouldn’t stand in his way if he had the opportunity to go somewhere else. I think it’s the right thing to do.

"Sam was outstanding for us last year and we wish him well. He will always be welcome back at St Mirren."

On behalf of all at St Mirren Football Club we would like to thank Sam for all his contributions as a St Mirren player and wish him every success in his future. 

Our Scottish Premiership match at home to Livingston, originally due to take place on Saturday 3rd April, has been rescheduled. 

The match has been brought forward and will now take place on Saturday 20th February with a 3pm kick-off. 

The full rescheduled match details are:

Saturday 20th February 2021
St Mirren v Livingston
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium
Live on St Mirren TV

St Mirren are on the road again this weekend as the Buddies take on Celtic at Celtic Park.

Saints picked up their first win of 2021 on Wednesday night in sensational fashion as Jim Goodwin's men put five past Dundee United at Tannadice.

Goals from Joe Shaughnessy, Jamie McGrath (x2), Dylan Connolly and Kristian Dennis secured the 5-1 win - the first time Saints have scored five goals away from home in the top flight since 1984.

Celtic, meanwhile, also won their first match of 2021 on Wednesday with a 2-0 home win over Hamilton Academical which ended a run of four without a win for the Glasgow side.

Match Details

Celtic v St Mirren
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Saturday 30th January 2021
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: Celtic Park

How to watch the match

Unfortunately the match will not be available to supporters within the UK and Ireland as Celtic do not offer a PPV service.

International subscribers to St Mirren TV can still watch on St Mirren TV as part of their subscription., while UK subscribers can listen to audio coverage. 

Previous

This will be just the second meeting between the two sides this season.

Saints hosted Celtic at the SMiSA Stadium in September. Despite Lee Erwin netting his first St Mirren goal to give us an early lead, goals from Shane Duffy and James Forrest gave Celtic a 2-1 win. 

Who are the officials?

The referee on Saturday is Bobby Madden. He's assisted by Graeme Leslie and John McCrossan. Duncan Williams is the fourth official.