A difficult week for Saints came to a forgettable end as they lost to Hibs in Paisley.

With coronavirus meaning Saints' three signed goalies were unavailable, Zdenek 'Bobby' Zlamal was signed on loan from Hearts hours before kick-off. Hibs opened the scoring when deflections off Sam Foley and Kevin Nesbit took the ball under Zlamal and they quickly added a second through Joe Newell.

There was some improvement from Saints after that and they made a decent start to the second half, however any hope of a comeback was wiped out when Zlamal failed to deal with a cross and Martin Boyle headed in at the backpost.

The keeper was one of three changes to the Saints side who had lost in Perth a fortnight ago. There was a first start for recent arrival Kristian Dennis and a rare outing for Ethan Erhahon, making his first start for the senior side in more than a year. Junior Morias and Kyle McAllister were the outfield duo dropping to the bench, where they joined new signing Lee Erwin and 40-year-old goalie coach Jamie Langfield. Former Buddies boss Jack Ross included ex-Saint Paul McGinn in his team with Stevie Mallan and Darren McGregor among the subs.

Hibs lined up with plenty of attacking intent, Boyle causing the early problems. A great tackle from Richard Tait stopped him getting a shot away from a decent position and the next time he got in behind, Zlamal did enough to put him off. The forward was to prove more effective in Hibs' next attack, collecting Christian Doidge's crossfield pass before finding McGinn, who sent a dangerous cross into the middle that hit off Foley then Nisbet before trickling into the net.

Before Saints could respond, they were two down. Once again Boyle was involved as he teed up Newell and he curled past Zlamal from the edge of the box. Saints were aggrieved not to be given a penalty when Ryan Porteous handled inside the box, ref Willie Collum having none of it. As Hibs pushed for a third, Josh Doig fired in a shot that looked to be bending into the bottom corner before it was blocked by a Saints defender.

The Buddies finally had a shot when a corner was only cleared as far as Sheron but he fired over from distance, with Dennis then being crowded out as he tried to shoot. Hibs still looked the more dangerous and when they countered, Nisbet looked to have shot well wide before a deflection almost spun the ball into the opposite corner with Zlamal stranded. Ofir Marciano had been a virtual spectator in the Hibs goal but proved his worth twice just before the break. Ilkay Durmus drew a great save with a fine free-kick and when the ball was crossed played back in, Marcus Fraser nodded it down for Sheron to thump towards goal only for Marciano to palm it away.

Erwin was handed his Buddies debut at the break as he replaced Dennis. Zlamal came out to save from Nisbet after he'd got the better of Foley before Erwin had a chance to reduce the deficit, shooting over from the edge of the box after a great pass from Conor McCarthy. Just as Saints were beginning to pose a few questions of the Hibs defence, the visitors put the game to bed. Newell delivered a cross to the back post and Zlamal missed it, Boyle nodding home.

The forward went close to adding a fourth soon after the restart, Zlamal saving his shot well, before Saints sub Dylan Connolly curled a shot over at the other end. Another sub, Kyle McAllister, had a free-kick deflected over as the Buddies pressed for a consolation, Marciano producing a good save to keep out Cammy MacPherson's powerful effort shortly after he'd replaced Jamie McGrath, the last real chance either side had.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-3 Hibernian

REACTION: Jim Goodwin Post-Hibernian

St Mirren: Zlamal, Fraser, McCarthy, Foley, Tait, McGrath (MacPherson 82), Sheron (McAllister 59), Erhahon, Durmus (Connolly 59), Dennis (Erwin 45), Obika (Morias 87)
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Jamieson

Hibernian: Marciano, McGinn, Hanlon, Porteous, Doig, Murphy (Wright 81), Newell (Mallan 87), Gogic, Boyle (Shanley 87), Nisbet (Gullan 77), Doidge
Subs Not Used: Barnes, Gray, Stevenson, Hallberg, McGregor

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Assistant Referee: Ross MacLeod
Fourth Official: Steven Kirkland

Saints are back in action this Saturday as we host Hibernian at St Mirren Park 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 12th September.

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

This latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Kyle McAllister.
Jim Goodwin - The St Mirren gaffer looks back on recent games and ahead to the match-up with the Hibees.
Last Time At Home - Stuart Gillespie's report of the recent home game against Ross County.
The Opposition – Running the rule over Jack Ross' Hibernian side.
Panda's Fun Page – Some puzzles to keep the youngsters entertained during the half-time break.
St Mirren Programme Archive - Derek Drennan reviews the programme for a match between Saints and Hibs played way back on 2nd November 1968.
Centre Page Poster – Marcus Fraser.
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 – The St Mirren career of Thomas Stickroth through the eyes of David Cochran.
Football Bloody Hell - Alan Gallacher reflects on the recent woes of Barcelona and star player Lionel Messi.
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.

St Mirren Football Club can confirm the signing of Zdenek Zlámal on an emergency loan from Heart of Midlothian Football Club.

Chief Executive Tony Fitzpatrick: "It been a testing 72 hours for our club. I would like to put on record my thanks to Hearts FC for working with us on this signing.

"The signing of Zlamal on loan gives us an experienced goalkeeper for the coming games. We are delighted that Zlamal has joined us on a short term loan deal.

"Our country is experiencing uncertain times with new restrictions being placed on communities across Scotland daily and in football we are no different.

"Our club has shown amazing resilience and agility in the last few days and we enter the Hibernian match with ambition of getting three points for our fans. I am proud of how the St Mirren family have again rallied together in these testing times. COYS."

St Mirren Football Club can confirm that tomorrow’s match against Hibernian will go ahead.

The club received very late confirmation from the SPFL this evening following a meeting between the Scottish Government and Joint Response Group.

The club have been informed that due to positive test results and track and trace protocols, our goalkeepers, Jak Alnwick, Dean Lyness and Peter Urminsky are all ineligible for tomorrow’s match. With less than 24 hours’ notice our only option is to attempt to bring in an eligible goalkeeper on loan and the club are working hard to do so and we will update fans as soon as possible once a deal is complete.

The club has rigorously followed all protocols put in place by the Scottish Government and the SPFL/SFA Joint Response Group and we will continue to do so. This is a very difficult situation for all concerned and we will continue to discuss with the SPFL how cases like this are dealt with in the future but we can assure St Mirren fans that we are doing all we can to make sure that we have a strong team for tomorrow’s match.

The club will not be issuing any other statement on this matter.

Following the most recent round of COVID testing, St Mirren Football Club can confirm that a second player has tested positive for COVID-19. This comes following the news of the positive test earlier this week.

The club can confirm that it has followed all protocol to the letter and has informed all relevant authorities.

We will be making no further comment at this time. 

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce that Lee Erwin will #BeInThatNumber after agreeing a two-year deal with Saints subject to international clearance. 

The 26-year-old forward joins Jim Goodwin's side after leaving fellow Scottish Premiership side Ross County. 

Lee began his career at Motherwell where his form in the 2014/15 season earned him a move to Leeds United. Chances were limited at Leeds with Lee having spells on loan at Bury and Oldham before returning to Scotland to play with Kilmarnock.

After 45 appearances at Killie, Lee moved to Iranian club Tractor Sazi. His time in Iran was short-lived and he returned to Scotland once again to sign for Ross County. 

Speaking on his move, Lee told stmirren.com: "I'm over the moon to get everything official and I'm glad I'm now a St Mirren player.

"The manager sold me on it. I spoke to the him and he gave me confidence that this was the right place for me. 

"I'll be hardworking day-in, day-out and hopefully I can chip in with some goals. I've done the full pre-season and it's up to the gaffer now where he sees me on Saturday."

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin said: "Lee's a player I have always liked and is a great age for us and a good old-fashioned number nine.  

"I know he's been playing on the right-side for Ross County recently but we see him as a centre-forward.

"He will provide great competition for Jon Obika but we'd also like to see the two of them play together as they'd be a real handful for teams."

Following our recent round of testing, St Mirren Football Club can confirm that a member of the first-team has tested positive for COVID-19.

The player is currently self-isolating in line with government guidance and, as a result, will be unavailable for our match against Hibernian.

The club has complied robustly with the official testing and hygiene regime, using a private testing facility in accordance with the Scottish Government and the SPFL/SFA Joint Response Group protocols.

Everyone at the club wishes the player a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back once he is fit and ready.

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to confirm a new strategic partnership with South Australian National Premier League side Para Hills Knights SC.

The partnership will see the exchange of players & coaches as well as academy tours & tournaments along with other commercial opportunities as we look to build a sustainable, mutually beneficial long-term relationship between both clubs with focus on the development of young footballers and coaches.

St Mirren Chief Executive, Tony Fitzpatrick said: "We are really excited and proud to announce our new partnership with Para Hills Knights SC.

"A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes for a number of months to make this a reality and I have no doubt it will be a positive partnership for both clubs.

"I would like to pay a special thanks to Prince Lamona from Group 154 and Jed McCabe from inspiresport for all of their help in making this happen."

Dale Ramsay, senior co-ordinator at Para Hills Knights SC said: "As a club we are excited about the partnership and look forward to a great future with St Mirren.

"Developing a pathway for growth and resource sharing between our clubs is exciting and we believe it will be hugely beneficial for players, managers and officials to share knowledge and strengthen both clubs.

"The possibilities for players to experience football in different environments can be so positive for their own growth. We look forward to growing a strong relationship through the years."

Steve Butchart, CEO at inspiresport said: "At Inspiresport we are proud of our long-standing relationship with St Mirren and are delighted to be their official travel partners.

"Today’s news is a testament to the club’s ambitions on and off the field. We are ready to work with both St Mirren and Para Hills Knights SC to deliver exceptional football development tours here in Paisley, for teams wishing to follow in the footsteps of their local heroes."

More about Para Hills Knights SC:

The Para Hills Soccer Club was formed at a meeting on the 24th of March 1964 and was originally based on Nelson Road, Para Hills. The club was founded by 2 brothers that had moved to Australia from Enfield, UK. As the brothers were Tottenham Supporters the club colours were predominantly white.

The aim of the club was to foster and promote the game of soccer in the Northern Suburbs. The club set the goal of playing first division soccer within 10 years.

In 1965 the club entered a team in the Sunday Industrial League (now the South Australian Amateur Soccer League). On April 4th 1965 the club played its first competitive senior game losing 3-1 against MTT with Chris Pawley scoring the first goal for the club. A new team was born.

The following year the club entered the South Australian Soccer Federation and once again the open game resulted in a defeat this time against WRE 2-1 with the first goal in the Federation being scored by Dave Barry. In 1967 the club got its first taste of success winning the 3rd Division Championship and the Rowley Cup, the team was coached through part of the season by Cliff Votier and then Alan Swadling who was also the captain.

The following few years saw the club consolidating its position and not really pushing for promotion. This changed in 1975 when the club pushed Croatia to the wire before finishing runners up. In 1976, one year later than the clubs aim, promotion to the first division was achieved. To coincide with this, the Club left its base at Nelson Road to move down the Hills to new facilities at The Paddocks, its current home.

Contrary to reports in the media this morning, St Mirren Football Club can confirm that Saturday’s match against Hibernian will not be used as a pilot event for supporters return to football due to new lockdown restrictions in Renfrewshire.

The club submitted detailed plans on the safe return of fans to the SPFL, SFA and Scottish Government last week. Whilst these were provisionally approved and would have seen us host 300 fans at St Mirren Park on Saturday, the new measures have meant this is no longer possible.

Whilst it is disappointing following the hard work the club had put in to be selected as a pilot event, we fully appreciate that the health and safety of the public is of paramount importance.

We would like to thank the SPFL, SFA and Scottish Government for considering us for a pilot event and look forward to having the opportunity to host supporters at St Mirren Park when it is deemed safe to do so.

Football is back and we’re hosting our next two matches exclusively on St Mirren TV!

St Mirren v Hibernian | 12 Sept | 3pm | Buy Now 

St Mirren v Celtic | 16 Sept | 7.45pm | Buy Now 

Purchasing a game is easy – simply visit this page for the live link to sign up. 

Our St Mirren TV pay-per-view package includes full match coverage with our guests soon to be announced for only £12.50 per match.