Saints return to The SMiSA Stadium on Saturday to play host to Dundee United ahead of the October international break.

Stephen Robinson's men lost narrowly away to Motherwell on Saturday, but currently sit in sixth place in the William Hill Premiership after two wins, two draws and three defeats from our first seven matches. The two wins have both come at home with victories against Edinburgh sides Hearts (2-1) and Hibernian (3-0). 

It'll be our last home match for over three weeks with the upcoming international break soon followed by away trips to Hearts and Rangers. 

Match Details

St Mirren v Dundee United
Competition: William Hill Premiership
Date: Saturday 5th October 2024
Kick-off: 3pm 
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium

The Opposition

It's been a decent start to life back in the William Hill Premiership for Dundee United, with the Arabs losing only one of their six league matches since promotion back to the top flight. That came after a 1-0 defeat at home to Rangers last month. 

Of the other five matches, Jim Goodwin's men have won two and drawn three. One of those draws came last weekend with United coming from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 away to Kilmarnock. 

The two sides have already met this season with United edging Saints out of the Premier Sports Cup at the last 16 stage. Ross Graham's first-half goal was enough to give the Arabs a 1-0 win at Tannadice. 

St Mirren were unbeaten against United during season 2022/23 - winning twice and drawing once. The first win was at Tannadice with Saints running out 3-0 victors in August 2022. The Buddies followed that up with a 2-1 win at The SMiSA Stadium two months later. The last league meeting between the two ended up stalemate after a 1-1 draw at Tannadice in March 2023.

Mark O'Hara's penalty saw Saints take a share of the spoils the last time the teams met in league action (Image: Andy Barr)

The Officials

The referee on Saturday is Ross Hardie and he'll be assisted by Frank Connor and Paul O'Neill. 

Greg Aitken is once again on VAR duty, having been the video assistant referee in our match against Motherwell last weekend.

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Hartley as our new Head of First Team Transition and Loan Pathways.

The 36-year-old takes the role vacated by Brian Kerr who was named as assistant manager last week.

As a player, Peter began his career at Sunderland before moving to Hartlepool United in 2009. The Englishman would have spells at Stevenage, Plymouth Argyle, Bristol Rovers and Blackpool before moving north to work with Saints manager Stephen Robinson at Motherwell.

After leaving Motherwell, Peter joined Indian Super League side Jamshedpur where he stayed for two years before returning to his hometown club Hartlepool. Following a short stay at Hartlepool, Peter moved to India once again to sign for newly formed I-League side Inter Kashi. He announced his retirement from playing in August of this year. 

Speaking to stmirren.com, Peter told of his excitement of taking on the new role: "I spoke to the manager, Keith Lasley and Brian Kerr. It's been a very easy transition for me and I'm happy to be here.

The manager has really high standards but I knew that coming in. I know exactly what he is about and with me being a young coach, making the transition from playing, I don't think there is a better person to learn from.

"I'm going to be the link between the academy and the first team. I'll help with the manager and Brian to put on first team training sessions.

"We had a bounce game on Monday and I got a chance to see some of the quality coming through so I'm very eager to work with them and improve them even more.

"There's a good setup, a very good group of players with good attitude and coachable so I'm excited to get going."

Manager Stephen Robinson said: "Peter was my captain at Motherwell and I stayed in touch with him in terms of his progression as a coach.

"He's an ex-player with a lot of experience, close with the dressing room and only just finished playing a year ago after a good career.

"He's coached in India, he's worked under the Atletico Madrid banner as well for a team that was associated in India and he's been working at Sunderland with the younger age groups as well so certainly fits the profile for that role.

We spoke to numerous people. We wanted somebody that had coaching experience but was also still aligned with the dressing room. We also wanted someone that had worked in a development role and had the relevant qualifications which Peter certainly does.

"He comes with a really good history of playing and understands what it takes to be a professional footballer in Scotland.

"He will work every day with the first team and the biggest thing is to bridge the gap between the under 18s and the first team. He'll manage the loan players, to ensure all the aspects that we believe will develop those players for now and further down the line. It's a big role for the club and important we've got the right person."

Chief Operating Officer Keith Lasley added: "The club has made significant progress on and off the pitch over the last couple of years.

In order for the club to continue to compete and grow, we must establish and deliver a long-term, strategic plan for player development.The creation of this new role, and the appointment of Peter, is another key step in implementing this at St Mirren."

St Mirren Football Club, in partnership with St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation, has launched sensory kits for supporters with additional needs.

The sensory kits, which will be available free of charge on matchday, are designed to support fans who may experience sensory overload or anxiety in busy environments.

Each kit includes noise-cancelling headphones, disposable inner ear plugs, tangle fidget toys, fidget cubes, fidget spinners, magic cubes, stress balls, mini football activity books and colouring markers.

The sensory kits can be collected from designated points at The SMiSA Stadium, and fans are encouraged to reserve one in advance to ensure availability. Fans are also requested to return the kits after the game.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a sensory pack, please contact the team at the St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation via email - foundation@stmirren.com by 3pm this Thursday to reserve yours ahead of Saturday's match against Dundee United.

Each kit includes noise-cancelling headphones, disposable inner ear plugs, tangle fidget toys, fidget cubes, fidget spinners, magic cubes, stress balls, mini football activity books and colouring markers.

There are around 30 tickets remaining for our William Hill Premiership match away to Hearts on Saturday 19th October. These are only available at the St Mirren Ticket Office on a first come, first served basis. 

Season ticket holders had until until 2pm on Wednesday 25th September to buy tickets with remaining general sale tickets becoming available at 10am on Friday 27th September. 

Tickets that were purchased online for collection MUST be collected from the St Mirren Ticket Office by 12 noon on Friday 18th October 2024.

There will be no sales or collection on the day at Tynecastle. 

Hearts v St Mirren
Competition: William Hill Premiership
Date: Saturday 19th October 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh

Hearts Ticket Info

Adult - £27
Concession* - £19 
U18 - £14
U16 - £7 
U13 - £5

*65+, full-time student with valid matriculation card.

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

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

St Mirren were narrowly beaten by Motherwell in a controversial William Hill Premiership match at Fir Park.

Lennon Miller's first-half double saw Motherwell win 2-1 after Killian Phillips' goal had given Saints an early lead. But the game was marred by controversy with questions over Motherwell's goals and both sides being reduced to 10 men in the second-half. 

Scott Tanser and Elvis Bwomono came into the start 11 in the only changes from last weekend's win over Hearts at The SMiSA Stadium. The manager was also able to welcome Greg Kiltie back into the squad for the first time this season after recovering from an ankle injury. He took his place on the bench.

The Buddies hit the front with just 10 minutes on the clock. Phillips brilliantly brought down a pinpoint cross from Bwomono and half-volleyed low into the left-hand corner of the net to score his first goal for Saints. 

Killian Phillips celebrates after opening the scoring at Fir Park (Image: John Millar)

Motherwell looks to respond quickly and could have drawn level four minutes after the opener. Moses Ebiye intercepted Mark O'Hara's pass intended for Alex Gogic and raced away from the Cypriot defender but fired into the side netting. 

The hosts would equalise on 19 minutes when Marcus Fraser was adjudged to have fouled Dan Casey at a corner kick. There was bemusement amongst the Saints players about the decision, with Fraser subsequently booked for the infringement. Miller made no mistake as he fired home from 12 yards to restore parity.

Toyosi Olusanya was close to putting Saints back in front soon after as he looked for his fourth goal in as many games. The forward was picked out by Phillips, but he clipped into the side net as he looked to lift it over 'Well stopper Aston Oxborough. 

Mikael Mandron was agonisingly close to putting the Buddies 2-1 ahead on 33 minutes. O'Hara's corner to the back post was helped back across goal by Richard Taylor but Mandron just couldn't get the connection required to take the ball over the line.

Motherwell took the lead in the final minute of regulation time at the end of the half when Miller scored his second. Controversy surrounded the goal with the Steelmen midfielder appearing to have handled the ball before finishing low into the net. 

There were eight added minutes at the end of the half and Saints would have gone in level at half-time if not for a top class save from Oxborough as he got a strong hand to claw away Phillips' header in injury-time. 

The drama continued early in the second-half when 'Well defender Dan Casey was shown a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Phillips was poised to equalise from close-range, but saw his effort he blocked by the hand of Casey who was given his marching orders. Saints were awarded a penalty, but O'Hara's spot kick was saved by Oxborough following a lengthy wait as VAR checked on the decision. 

The man advantage would only last around 15 minutes when referee Lloyd Wilson showed Scott Tanser a second yellow card. It looked to be an incredibly harsh decision with questions over whether Tanser had even fouled the Motherwell man. 

Stephen Robinson made five substitutes as Saints tried to find an equaliser. But despite the Buddies seeing almost all of the ball, it was the home side who came close to wrapping things up in the final minute of normal time. Substitute Apostolos Stamatelopoulos met a cross but saw his header brilliantly pushed away by Ellery Balcombe. 

Full-Time: Motherwell 2-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Gogic, R.Taylor, Bwomono (Brown 66), Phillips, Boyd-Munce (Idowu 74), O'Hara (c) (Kiltie 85), Tanser, Mandron (Van Veen 66), Olusanya (Scott 74)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Dunne, Smyth, Ayunga

Motherwell: Oxborough, O'Donnell (Kaleta 71), Casey, Gordon, McGinn, Wilson, Zdravkovski (Sparrow 84), Halliday (Watt 71), Miller, Ebiye  (Balmer 51), Robinson (Stamatelopoulos 71)
Subs Not Used: Hegyi, Seddon, Maswanhise, Tavares

Referee: Lloyd Wilson
Assistant Referee: Ross Macleod
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Gavin Duncan
VAR: Greg Aitken

Manager Reaction

Watch manager Stephen Robinson's reaction to our 2-1 loss to Motherwell. 

St Mirren Football Club can confirm that Fraser Taylor has joined Arbroath on loan until the end of the season.

The St Mirren Youth Academy graduate links up with the Angus side for the remainder of the season, with Saints having the option to recall in January. 

The 21-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell last season with NIFL Premiership side Ballymena where he scored four goals in 42 appearances for the Sky Blues. 

Fraser has made four appearances for the Buddies this season, assisting Alex Iacovitti's goal away to SK Brann in the UEFA Conference League before making his first Saints start against Dundee United in the Premier Sports Cup. 

Manager Stephen Robinson said: "We see Fraser as an important part of the squad going forward but it's important that we don't halt his development at this stage.

It's important for Fraser to go and get game time at a good level to continue his development."

We wish Fraser all the best during his time at Arbroath. 

St Mirren travel Motherwell on Saturday in William Hill Premiership action.

Motherwell vs St Mirren
William Hill Premiership
Venue: Fir Park
Date: Saturday 28th September 2024
Kick-off: 3pm

Ticket Info

Tickets for Saturday's match are on sale on Motherwell's ticketing platform. For full ticket info and to buy a ticket please click HERE. 

If you can't make the match on Saturday, you can follow the action with updates on our X page.

International subscribers to St Mirren TV can watch the match live on tv.stmirren.com, while UK subscribers can listen to live audio. 

Supporter Info

• The Cooper Suite is open to all supporters pre-match for food and drinks from 12pm.
• Away turnstiles will open at 2pm and search lanes will be in place prior to entering the stadium.
• Kiosks will be contactless and cash.
• There will be no cash turnstiles on the day but tickets will be available for purchase at the ticket pod at the South Stand if needed.
• Can collection outside the stadium on match day for the Shelter Scotland.
• Coaches to park in the road at the South Stand as usual. Please follow any police/steward instructions. The SMDSA bus will be allowed entry behind the South Stand.
• Kiosk staff will come to the wheelchair shelter just before half-time to take any food or drink orders. The orders will be brought to fans in the shelter. Please note this is cash only this week.
• Flags should be within regulations and must have a fire certificate. No offensive or political flags will be allowed. Please display all flags/banners to the CCTV cameras before entering the stadium. No surfing banners allowed.
• No balaclavas or face coverings will be allowed on entering or within the stadium. Refusal of entry/ejection will occur if face coverings are seen.
• No pyro! No megaphone!
• No bags bigger than A4 allowed unless medical requirements. Please email slo@stmirren.com 
• No telescopic poles allowed.
• Drum will be searched and must fit through turnstile.
• Any inebriated fans will not be allowed to enter the stadium.
• No smoking anywhere inside the stadium.

Tickets for our William Hill Premiership match away to Hearts on Saturday 19th October are on sale at the St Mirren Ticket Office and online for collection/postage to all supporters.

Season ticket holders had until until 2pm on Wednesday 25th September to buy tickets with remaining general sale tickets becoming available at 10am today (Friday 27th September). 

Tickets can be purchased online for UK postage until 10am on Tuesday 15th October (subject to availability). Tickets can be purchased online for collection until 10am on Thursday 17th October (subject to availability). They MUST be collected by 12 noon on Friday 18th October 2024. There will be no sales or collection on the day at Tynecastle. 

Ambulant with Carer and Wheelchair with Carer Tickets need to be booked directly at the St Mirren Ticket Office and MUST also be collected by 12 noon on Friday 18th October.

Hearts v St Mirren
Competition: William Hill Premiership
Date: Saturday 19th October 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh

Hearts Ticket Info

Adult - £27
Concession* - £19 
U18 - £14
U16 - £7 
U13 - £5

*65+, full-time student with valid matriculation card.

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

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

St Mirren Football Club has suspended Shaun Rooney today, on a precautionary basis, after he disclosed to the club his involvement in an alleged incident in Glasgow City Centre last week.

The club will now undertake a full investigation into this incident and will make no further comment during this process.

St Mirren are on the road in the William Hill Premiership on Saturday with Stephen Robinson's side travelling to Motherwell.

Saints make the journey to Fir Park to face Stuart Kettlewell's side on the back of a 2-1 win over Hearts at The SMiSA Stadium last weekend. The Buddies took all three points against the Gorgie side with Toyosi Olusanya netting for the third match running. 

The win over Hearts saw Saints move into fifth position in the William Hill Premiership having taken eight points from our first six matches. 

Match Details

Motherwell v St Mirren
Competition: William Hill Premiership
Date: Saturday 28th September 2024
Kick-off: 3pm 
Venue: Fir Park

The Opposition

It's been a relatively good start to the season for Saturday's opponents with the Steelmen approaching the weekend's game after securing their place in the last four of the Premier Sports Cup.

An injury-time penalty from Lennon Miller saw the 'Well win 2-1 against Dundee United to progress to the semi-final.

In league duty, Stuart Kettlewell's men sit in sixth place having won two, drawn one and lost two of their opening five matches. Motherwell have beaten St Johnstone (2-1) and Hearts (3-1), drawn 0-0 with Ross County and lost to 2-1 away to both Rangers and Aberdeen. 

Saints were unbeaten against Motherwell in four meetings last season, winning twice and drawing twice. The Buddies won 1-0 at The SMiSA Stadium in the Premier Sports Cup thanks to a goal from Caolan Boyd-Munce. Scott Tanser's goal was enough a few weeks later to secure a 1-0 victory at Fir Park in league action. The other two matches, both in the league, ended 0-0 and 1-1. 

Scott Tanser scores winner against Motherwell last season (Image: Vagelis Georgariou) 

The Officials

Lloyd Wilson is the referee on Saturday. His assistants are Ross Macleod and Gordon Crawford, while Greg Aitken is the video assistant referee (VAR).