Jordan Kirkpatrick says the team fell short of the standards expected of them in the loss to Partick Thistle and wants to make amends for it on Saturday.

The Buddies host Airdrieonians at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in the final match of Group H in the Betfred Cup.

Although Saints can't qualify for the next round the midfielder, who made his first start in the defeat against the Jags, wants to repay the supporters whilst building up momentum ahead of the opening day of the Ladbrokes Championship next week. 

Speaking to stmirren.com, Kirkpatrick said: "I think we all know it wasn't up to the standards we should be at.

Saturday is about proving a point really and the gaffer has us working hard. 

"The fans always show up for the games and come in their numbers so it's disappointing for them to come and watch a poor performance on our behalf.

"Hopefully they'll turn up on Saturday and we can make it a lot better. 

"We should treat every game like a cup final and get as much out of it as we can. We can work on our strengths and try to work as a team.

"It's another game for us before we go into the league next week and hopefully we can get a win and get the boys confidence up as high as possible. 

"If we win on Saturday we forget everything that has happened and go forward."

The 25 year-old began his career at Hamilton Academical before a stint with Saturday's opponents Airdrieonians alongside spells at Dumbarton and Alloa. 

He confessed he is enjoying being back in the full-time environment and believes he is settling in well. 

It's been good," he said.

"I don't think you can complain about coming to train every day instead of going to work.

"Because I know how it works I know how to set myself and how I treat myself away from the game and make sure I'm always fit for training.

"The first week was tough trying to get my body back into a full time programme. Now I feel like I'm back into normal full time environment and it is good."

A new wall that contains the names of those who helped fund last season's takeover of the club has been erected at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

SMiSA had said this would be done to recognise the efforts and dedication of the supporters and it has now come to fruition. 

Produced by Saltire Graphics, SMiSA member Jack Paterson and Jackie Roberston worked closely with Barry Mitchell to produce the sign which is made from individuals panels and is almost 15 metres long.

It has been made of durable material to ensure longevity with Barry spending hours sorting out the names and ensuring no duplication. 

Located outside the south east corner of the stadium it is ideal for members to have their photographs taken with.

So come along to Saturday's match and get your picture next to your name on the new SMiSA wall to commemorate your role in buying the Buddies.

The St Mirren Youth Academy has been boosted by the addition of Andy Webster as a coach. 

The ex-Saints defender hung up his boots at the end of last season after two years with the Buddies.

Webster was capped 28 times for the Scotland national team and brings a wealth of experience to the club. 

He will now combine studying for a university degree with his new position at Saints.

Speaking to stmirren.com about his role, he said: "At the end of last season I spoke to Allan McManus, Tony Fitzpatrick and the gaffer as well about the possibility of being able to come in.

I was coming in to help the 20s with pre-season anyway because it was good experience for me and during that period the club have been accommodating with me. I'm really delighted and looking forward to it. 

"I feel like I can be of benefit and it was something I planned for. When the opportunity arose it was great timing and I'm delighted to be involved with the club. 

"For years I've seen this as the road I will choose to go down. I'm also doing the university stuff as well as I want to have other stuff away from football. It was important to me from the outset that I would be allowed to continue my degree as well. These things have all really tied in together." 

The 35 year-old has been in since the start of pre-season and says he is really enjoying it, whilst also getting a better perspective of what it takes to be a coach. 

It's been great," he said. "Going out in pre-season and helping out has been a great insight.

"People don't realise the preparation that goes into everything that you see on the football pitch. I've always had an understanding and an appreciation for it but you get a greater understanding and appreciation for what actually is involved.

"I'm thoroughly enjoying it. The 20s have worked extremely hard and are a great bunch of boys to work with."

Tickets for St Mirren’s upcoming IRN-BRU Cup, 1st Round tie against East Kilbride go on sale at 10:00am tomorrow (Tuesday 25th July).

Saints face the Lowland League side at The Paisley 2021 Stadium on Tuesday 15th August.

On the evening of the match there will be a ‘Mixed Zone’ in the Family Stand as East Kilbride fans with their family and friends will join the St Mirren fans in the South Stand. St Mirren Season Ticket holders in the South Stand will also have the option of moving to either the Main Stand or the West Stand for that evening’s match.

Seats for Season Ticket holders in all stands will be held until midnight on 8th August, afterwards all remaining seats will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

The match and tickets info is as follows:

St Mirren v East Kilbride
IRN-BRU Cup, 1st Round
Venue: Paisley 2021 Stadium, Paisley
Date: Tuesday 15th August 2017
Kick-off: 7:45pm

Season Tickets ARE NOT valid for this game.

Match is all ticket – tickets will be on sale (subject to availability) UNTIL KICK OFF.

Ticket Prices

Adult – £12
OAP (over 65) – £6
Full-Time Student* – £6
Child (Under 18) – £6

* Students must have valid ID as proof of status.

The St Mirren Ticket Office opening hours for the remainder of this week are as follows:

Tue, Jul 25th – 10:00am – 2:00pm
Wed, Jul 26th – 10:00am – 2:00pm
Thu, Jul 27th – 10:00am – 2:00pm
Fri, Jul 28th – 10:00am – 2:00pm
Sat, Jul 29th – 10:00am – 3:00pm (kick-off)

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

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

Jack Ross reflects on a tough day for the Saints as they lose away to Partick Thistle in the Betfred Cup. 

It was a day to forget for St Mirren as they were on the end of a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Partick Thistle in the Betfred Cup.

It's a result that puts to an end Saints hopes of qualifying for the next round with one match remaining. 

An even opening 10 minutes saw both sides go close but it was Jordan Kirkpatrick, making his first St Mirren start, who forced the first save of the match with a long range effort that Tomas Cerny had to do well to push away from goal.

But the home side were ahead two minutes later. There were suspicions of offside as Blair Spittal's knock down found Kris Doolan inside the area and the striker finished low into the far corner beyond Ross Stewart.

The Jags, buoyed by the opener, were on the ascendancy and should have been 2-0 when Abdul Osman found Chris Erskine who held off the challenge of Gary MacKenzie to race clear on goal. The midfielder will have felt he should have done better when his shot was blocked by the legs of Stewart. Credit to the Saints goalkeeper though who did well to deny the 30 year-old.

However, from the resultant short corner Erskine made amends as he received the ball from Steven Lawless on the edge of the box before playing it back to the winger who drilled the Jags into a two goal lead.

The home side were on top but Saints could have got themselves back into the match when Kirkpatrick slipped in Gavin Reilly on the left hand side after capitalising on slack play from Abdul Osman. The striker broke into the box and would have been disappointed not to make the goalkeeper work as he dragged the ball wide.

Soon after it was effectively game over when Lawless notched his second of the match to make it 3-0. Callum Booth picked out Lawless who finished well from the edge of the box.

Saints' misery was further added to a mere four minutes later when Spittal added his name to the list of scorers. Jack Baird was penalised for a foul around 25 yards out and picked up a booking. Spittal stepped up and curled it neatly into the near post leaving Stewart with no chance.

Half Time: Partick Thistle 4-0 St Mirren

Abdul Osman was giving a yellow card for a poor challenge on Stephen McGinn early into the second half that gave St Mirren a free kick in a good area. Lewis Morgan went for goal but sent the effort wide.

10 minutes later Osman was sent packing after another bad tackle on the Saints skipper. Yet almost immediately after the red card Thistle had further extended their lead. The home side won the ball back from the free kick, Erskine skipped by Darren Whyte before sending an excellent ball across the middle to the onrushing Spittal who slid it into the net. 

Saints had a couple of opportunities to get themselves a consolation goal with Cammy Smith drilling a shot wide and substitute Ross Stewart heading just over the bar, but it was Ian McShane who really came closest forcing a tremendous save from Cerny. The midfielder looked set to score his first Buddies goal but the Czech goalkeeper pushed away his effort as it was set to find the top corner. 

The game, however, was long since over and Saints will close their Betfred Cup campaign at home to Airdrieonians next week before concentrations turn to the Ladbrokes Championship. 

Full Time: Partick Thistle 5-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Stewart, Whyte, MacKenzie, Baird, Irvine, McShane, McGinn, Morgan, Smith (Stewart 73), Kirkpatrick (O'Keefe 45), Reilly (Sutton 64)
Subs Not Used: Samson, Buchanan, Horne, Erhahon

Partick Thistle: Cerny, Booth, Devine, Barton, Osman, Erskine (Edwards 65), Elliot, Bannigan (McCarthy 83), Spittal, Lawless, Doolan (Nisbet 74)
Subs Not Used: Scully, Penrice, Lamont, McLaughlin

Referee: Stephen Finnie
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland
Fourth Official: David Munro

Attendance: 2727 (883 St Mirren fans)

St Mirren travel to Maryhill tomorrow as they face Partick Thistle in the Betfred Cup. 

It's been a mixed bag for Saints in their first two matches with one win and one loss.

The Buddies opened their Betfred Cup campaign with a 4-1 win away to Stranraer last weekend. Ex-St Mirren midfielder Scott Agnew gave the Blues an early lead before goals from Gavin Reilly, Ross Stewart and Lewis Morgan had Saints ahead at the interval. Gregor Buchanan scored his first St Mirren goal early in the second half to put the game beyond doubt and seal three points. 

Livingston came to the Paisley 2021 Stadium on Tuesday night and left with all three points after a second minute strike from Dale Carrick secured the Lions a 1-0 victory over the Buddies. 

Premiership opponents Partick have only played one match in the Betfred Cup so far - a 1-1 draw with Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena last Saturday. Chris Erskine gave the Jags the lead on 14 minutes, with Keaghan Jacobs equalising for the hosts a minute into the second half. The match went to penalties with Livi picking up the bonus point after goalkeeper Neil Alexander saved from Christie Elliot, Blair Spittal and Kris Doolan.

Alan Archibald hasn't had too much to do in the transfer market thus far. The Thistle manager has recruited Blair Spittal from Dundee United and signed Niall Keown permanently from Reading after a successful loan spell at the club last season. 19 year-old prospect Jamie Sneddon has also joined from Cowdenbeath.

Strikers David Amoo and Ade Adeez both left the Jags to join Cambridge United, while highly thought of defender Liam Lindsay departed the Glasgow club to join English Championship side Barnsley. Sean Welsh also departed the club after five years when his contract expired. 

Tomorrow's meeting will be the first time the two have met since Partick defeated Saints 2-1 at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in January 2016 to reach the last 16 of the Scottish Cup. Second half goals from Dan Seaborne and David Amoo put the Jags in control and a late Keith Watson strike for Saints was nothing more than a consolation. 

The last time the two faced each other at Firhill came over two years ago when Ryan Stevenson, Kris Doolan and Steven Lawless gave the home side an emphatic 3-0 win in the Ladbrokes Premiership. 

The Jags also came out on top the last time the teams met in the League Cup. An extra time goal from Nathan Eccleston in September 2014 was enough to secure a 1-0 for Alan Archibald's side and saw them progress to the quarter finals. 

Saints did win at Firhill in league competition in 2015 when an early James Dayton goal saw the Buddies triumph 1-0. 

A win for St Mirren tomorrow would give qualification hopes a real shot in the arm ahead of the final match of Group H against Airdrieonians on Saturday 29th July. For Partick, they'll be looking to ensure that they don't fall further behind in their bid to reach the last 16 of the competition. 

The match is pay-at-the-gate with prices at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions. For matchday info click here. 

* Students must have valid ID as proof of status.

** Wheelchair disabled fans will be located in the Colin Weir Stand at the red disability gate and will be able to pay cash at the gate. Names of anyone attending should be given to the St Mirren Ticket Office by midday today (Friday 21st July).

St Mirren Ticket Office Phone No: (0141) 840-6130.
St Mirren Ticket Office E-Mail: tickets@stmirren.com.

Additional Information for Travelling Fans

Tomorrow, Saturday 22nd July, St Mirren play their third match in Betfred Cup, Group H as they head to Glasgow to face Premiership side Partick Thistle.

The gate prices have now been confirmed for the fixture at Firhill Stadium and these are shown above.

The referee tomorrow is Stephen Finnie and he will be assisted by David McGeachie and Gary Hilland. The Fourth Official will be David Munro.

Travel Clubs

North End Travel Club

The bus to Firhill will leave the Sneddon at 2:00pm.

All seats on this bus are £5 each. Bus tickets are now on sale in The Brewers Tap.

For directions to Firhill Stadium click here

On Saturday afternoon (22nd July), St Mirren make the short trip to Glasgow to face Premiership side Partick Thistle in a Betfred Cup group match at Firhill Stadium.

The latest info we have on Travel Clubs heading to Firhill Stadium for the match is as follows:

North End Travel Club

The bus to Firhill will leave the Sneddon at 2:00pm.

All seats on this bus are £5 each. Bus tickets are now on sale in The Brewers Tap.

St Mirren's official gym partner Pro-Life are hosting a summer fun day on Sunday 30th July 2017 to raise funds for the Renfrewshire Sports Charity.  

St Mirren Chief Executive Tony Fitzpatrick will be one of the guests at the event with entry free for kids and just £5 for adults. 

Tickets are on sale at the reception of the Pro-Life Fitness Centre on New Sneddon Street, Paisley. 

The Buddies agreed their partnership with Pro-Life last season and we are delighted that it has been renewed for the upcoming season. 

The players staff benefit from nutritional advice and diet plans set out by Pro-Life specialists, whilst also taking part in various fitness classes. 

Speaking about the renewal of the partnership, manager Jack Ross said: "The relationship we had with Pro-Life was already in place before I took the job, but I'm delighted that we are continuing it. 

"Gayle Brannigan who runs the facility has been a great support. It benefits us enormously in terms of our performances so delighted we are continuing that relationship."