Jack Ross made his latest addition to the squad today by signing goalkeeper Craig Samson who joins Ross Stewart in the goalkeeping ranks.

Jack believes that the two keepers give him the right mix for that position.

I think Craig’s pedigree is proven. He has had success here as a player before and I know from conversations that I have had with him that he feels as if he has unfinished business here. So he is determined to come here and help us to progress and I think he will be very good for Ross as well. I want them to push each other, I want two goalkeepers who could potentially play so I’m delighted to have that area of the park sorted.

We thought long and hard of what we would have with the two of them and getting Ross in to begin with I was pleased with because I identified him as somebody I wanted to bring in a while ago. So once we had him in we had a decision to make in terms of the other one and I think for us as a squad and a team to get to where we want to and to push Ross on then I think the type like Craig was the one that we wanted to try and find. He is still only 33 and has a number of years left as a goalkeeper and he ticks a lot of the right boxes for us in terms of what he will bring to us as a team but also in how he will help Ross’ progression as well.

Having already brought back John Sutton and Stephen McGinn for second stints with St Mirren, Jack believes that the signing of Craig Samson shows that these players have a connection with the club that will help to spread the cause throughout the squad.

I think what it shows is that those players enjoyed their time here. They all have different circumstances and different gaps in their time here. Craig of course winning the League Cup here, he will have very fond memories of it but that was one of the important things for me in trying to put a squad of players together to have a cause if you like and a motivation.

There are some who are younger who have a drive to try and progress their careers and they will help us if they do that as well. You mention Stephen McGinn, he has a cause because he wants to drive this club forward and that is what is showing, and in speaking to Craig I got that impression from him when he mentioned unfinished business. I don’t think he wanted to leave here and would happily have stayed here the rest of his career so he has came back here and we look forward to working with him over the next couple of years.

Four years after leaving St Mirren, goalkeeper Craig Samson has today signed a two-year deal to make a return to The Buddies.

Craig, who has played with Kilmarnock and Motherwell over the last four seasons, was part of St Mirren's 2013 League Cup wining side and the keeper admits that it is good to be back with Saints as he has some unfinished business to do.

I’ve been here in the past and loved my time while I was at the club. To be honest I didn’t want to leave the club but at the time Danny [Lennon] and Tommy [Craig] had different ideas in what way they were going to go in the goalkeeping department and I think it was probably best for us to go our separate ways. But there was certainly unfinished business for me here where I felt it wasn’t time for me to go so when I got the opportunity to come back it was never in doubt that I was going to come and I’m absolutely delighted to be here again. Hopefully we can take on the form that the team showed at the end of last season and take it into this year.

Craig continues a recent trend of former Buddies coming back to St Mirren and admits that the pull to rejoin Saints was too great.

I have a massive affinity with the club. I think even in telling my family last night that I was coming back they were all absolutely delighted as this is a place where they are very comfortable as well as me, it does feel like this is my club to be honest. I know I grew up as a Kilmarnock fan and went back there when I left here but to be honest coming here yesterday, meeting the manager, walking back into the place and seeing some familiar faces it does feel like coming home. I feel that there is a great affinity with the club and something that we can do is go and have a special year this year.

The keeper believes that he returns to Paisley as a more experienced keeper and he will be using that to help along recent signing Ross Stewart who will go head to head with Craig for the starting keeper's spot.

I’ve definitely went and learned a lot.  I’ve played a lot of games, played three seasons in the Premiership and not missed much football so I think you certainly learn as a goalkeeper all the time and you can always be improving. I know that the manager has a young squad here and he has a few older players that he is hoping will certainly do well but you have got to help the young players round about you with the experience that you have from before. That is something that I think I can bring to the team, help out defensively and help to organise also I know the manager has just signed young Ross Stewart as another goalkeeper so we’ll have a battle on our hands seeing who will play come the season but I think there is certainly experience that I can bring to the team.

Jamie [Langfield] is obviously here as goalkeeping coach and available to play as well so his job is to develop Ross, develop myself and the other younger goalkeepers here but I’ll certainly be helping Ross the same way I have with any other goalkeeper that I’ve been with. There will be a battle to get into the team but ultimately everybody always says that there is a goalkeeper’s union and we will be helping each other and pushing each other on. That only makes for good competition and certainly I’ll be there to help him if he needs any advice or with anything he needs.

When asked about his aims for the new season Craig get straight to the point.

Promotion, I don’t think there is any doubt. There is no point in sugar-coating it and saying we want to do well and take on next season. I came here as I spoke to the manager, James Fowler and Jamie, and the aim for the club is to take the form we had last year into next year and if we take that form in then there is no doubt that there is a possibility that we can go up so I’m not going to come in here and say we just want to improve on last year. We don’t want to do that, we want to go and push as high up the league as we can and try to get into the Premiership as I think that is where the club belongs. I don’t think there is a set-up in the Premiership outside maybe the top five that has got the training facilities that this club has got, the stadium this club has got or the fan base, so this club certainly belongs in the top league and my aim is to hopefully come back and win a league winner’s medal and get back into the Premiership.

 

The SPFL have this afternoon confirmed the fixtures for the upcoming group stages for round one of the Betfred Cup.

Jack Ross’ St Mirren side will kick-off the 2017/18 season on Saturday 15th July when they head to Stair Park to face League One side Stranraer.

Three days later Livingston will be midweek visitors to The Paisley 2021 Stadium then on Saturday 22nd July Saints make the short trip to Glasgow to face Premiership side Partick Thistle at Firhill Stadium. This match will also be covered live on TV by BT Sport.

Saints' final match in the group will be on Saturday 29th July when they host League One Airdrieonians at Paisley.

St Mirren’s full fixture list for the Betfred Cup, Group H is as follow;

Saturday 15 July

Stranraer v St Mirren, Stair Park, kick-off 3.00pm

Tuesday 18 July

St Mirren v Livingston, Paisley 2021 Stadium, kick-off 7.45pm

Saturday 22 July

Partick Thistle v St Mirren, Firhill Stadium, kick-off 3.00pm (Live on BT Sport)

Saturday 29 July

St Mirren v Airdrieonians, Paisley 2021 Stadium, kick-off 3.00pm

St Mirren in the Community are now taking bookings for this summer’s Football Camps.

The Camps will run over the upcoming school summer holiday at the club’s exclusive Air dome and at the Lochbarr Leisure Centre in Lochwinnoch. 

The fun will all kick-off on Monday 3rd July with camps running Monday through to Friday over the six weeks of the school break with camps for 3 to 5 year olds and 6 to 12 year olds.

Participants at the Football Camps are required to bring with them suitable indoor clothing and footwear (no metal studs or blades), shin guards and goalkeeper gloves (if appropriate) in addition to a light healthy snack and plenty of water/non-fizzy drinks.

Those who book, and pay in full, 14 days before the camps take place will receive a 20% discount off the full price. Day rates are also available. For more information email communityadmin@stmirren.com 

Bookings can be made by downloading and printing the booking form, completing it in full and returning it to info@stmirren.com 

To download the booking form please click HERE.

This evening’s group stages draw for the Betfred Cup saw second seeds St Mirren drawn beside top seeds Partick Thistle and unseeded sides Airdrieonians, Stranraer and Livingston.

The groups stages of the 2017 Betfred Cup will kick-off on the weekend of 15th July.

Dates, venues, kick-off times and gate price/ticket info to be confirmed in due course.

Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy is delighted to confirm the launch of the Commercial Brochure for season 2017/18.

The brochure includes details and costs for all corporate hospitality, match day sponsorship and advertising packages available at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in the new season ahead.

Campbell will also introduce for the new season a 'Captain's Armband' sponsorship and a new kit sponsorship offer which will include a sponsor's lunch at the stadium. 

Whether you choose to enjoy our match day hospitality for the whole season or simply for a one-off match, it will be our pleasure to offer a package that works for you.

The Paisley 2021 Stadium offers some of the best contemporary facilities in Renfrewshire for both business and social events. We have a number of Suites available for hire. From the intimate, stunning surroundings of our Boardroom to the comfortable yet elegant atmosphere that our Hospitality Suite offers and with full catering facilities on-site, we can accommodate from 10-200 guests for your meeting, seminar or private function.

St Mirren Football Club offers a wide range of opportunities from which your company can reap the benefits; from Player Sponsorship to Trackside Advertising or our Jumbo Screen Advertising, there is a package that will fit your company’s marketing requirements and also your budget.

We understand that each of our corporate customers have varied specific requirements, and we will strive to deliver flexibility and variety with each booking being given a case manager from our Commercial office who will offer you continuity from your initial enquiry onwards.

To make a booking, or to enquire more about what St Mirren Football Club can do for you or your business, call Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy direct on (0141) 840-1337 or e-mail commercial@stmirren.com.

To download the Commercial Directory please click HERE.

Jack Ross has issued the following statement to St Mirren supporters on the back of speculation linking him to the Dundee job. 

"Following speculation regarding my position as the manager of the club, I can confirm that I remain focused on continuing to build on the momentum we created in the second half of last season. 

"James and I have put in a lot of hard work already and will continue to do so as we strive to prepare a squad capable of challenging in what will be a hugely competitive and demanding Championship.

"It remains my responsibility to reward the loyalty and passion of our supporters with a team which they can be proud of."

We can confirm that Dundee FC submitted a request to discuss their managerial vacancy with Jack Ross.

We have replied informing them that Jack is under contract and that we won't be giving them permission to speak to him. That is the end of it as far as we are concerned.

Gordon Scott

Chairman

When we launched the sale of the season tickets we announced that for every 250 season tickets sold we would be doing a ‘golden ticket’ draw with a range of great ‘money can’t buy’ prizes to be won.

With well over 750 season tickets sold we have already seen season ticket holders win two directors box seats with access to the executive guest lounge for a match at the Paisley 2021 Stadium, a tour of the St Mirren Youth Academy and the chance to have lunch with the first team squad and a 2017/18 St Mirren jersey with 'fan' and the number 12 on the back. 

The latest winner is Francis O'Hara who has won two season memberships for the SMFC 1877 Supporters Bar at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

Buy your season tickets now at the ticket office or online to be included in as many draws as possible with more great prizes to be won.

St Mirren are delighted to confirm the signings of defender Gregor Buchanan and forward Ross Stewart

Gregor joins Saints on a one-year deal after a two-year spell at Dumbarton, while Ross Stewart has penned a two-year contract.

Speaking on the move, 27 year-old Buchanan said: "It's an exciting time for myself and my family. It's a massive club and I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"At the clubs I have been at I've given my all and that's what supporters want. I'm a big, tall, aggressive centre half. I'm looking for clean sheets and if we are doing that then the team will be in a good place."

Meanwhile, like his namesake earlier in the week, Stewart joins the Buddies from League One side Albion Rovers.

The 22 year-old scored 12 times in 72 appearances and admits the chance to play full time football was a big lure for him.

"I’m absolutely delighted," he said. "I spoke with Jack and James earlier and they told me about their ambitions for the season and it's a chance at full time football. When you combine these two it was an easy decision and I just can't wait to get started."

Assistant manager James Fowler said: "Ross is a wee bit younger and maybe a work in progress but he has a lot of good attributes. He's a good size, he'll work really hard, he can score goals and he can play in different positions.

"Buchanan has played in the Championship over the last couple of years and kept Dumbarton in there. He's a good size centre half, he'll be aggressive and comfortable on the ball as well.

"It was an area we were looking to strengthen and we are maybe looking to get another few in as well."