Jack Ross gives his thoughts on the stunning 5-0 win over Raith Rovers that ensures the Buddies can't finish bottom of the Ladbrokes Championship. 

Jack Ross names the same starting eleven that lost narrowly to Dundee United last week.

Rory Loy leads the line upfront, while Lewis Morgan, who scored in the last fixture against Raith in Paisley, starts again after returning from the injury he sustained against Ayr United. 

We'll have all the action covered on our Twitter and Facebook pages. 

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, MacKenzie, Baird, Eckersley, Magennis, Mallan, McGinn, Morgan, Smith, Loy
Subs: Langfield, Stelios, Webster, Quinn, Sutton, Fjelde, Todd.

St Mirren took a huge step towards securing their Ladbrokes Championship status with a thumping win over Raith Rovers.

Jack Ross' side were in sensational form as a Stevie Mallan hat-trick helped inspire the Buddies on to a fantastic five goal in front of a near 5,000 strong crowd at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

It was the biggest ever winning margin for a Saints side at the Paisley 2021 Stadium and means that the side can't finish bottom of the league. 

The hosts looked in the mood from the start and had two half-hearted appeals for penalties after Gary MacKenzie and Rory Loy went down under challenges inside the box. 

Saints had a number of early corners and free kicks but it would take until just before the half hour mark to go ahead. Jean Mvoto failed to get a strong enough head to a clearance allowing Kyle Magennis to flick the ball down the right channel to Cammy Smith. The loanee sprung the offside trap and raced to the byline before picking out the onrushing Mallan who sent St Mirren ahead with a neat finish from six yards out. It was no more than Saints deserved after a good start to the match and got the Paisley 2021 Stadium rocking.

The Buddies were in control and Lewis Morgan almost got his 10th goal of the season when he cracked an effort towards the near post only to be denied by a good save from Pavol Penksa. 

And Morgan was involved as Saints doubled their lead with five minutes to go until half time. Captain Stephen McGinn was felled outside the box, winning St Mirren a free-kick in 'Mallan Territory'. Morgan shaped for the shot, but ran over the ball allowing Mallan to lash towards goal. The midfielder's effort was aimed towards Penksa's near post but it came off Declan McManus and ended up in the back of the net.

Half Time: St Mirren 2-0 Raith Rovers

The Buddies didn't waste any time in adding to their lead in the second half. Less than three minutes after the break, Rory Loy bundled the ball home to put Saints three ahead. Mallan whipped a corner onto the head of the diving in Gary MacKenzie who forced it goalward before Loy touched home in amongst a ruck of players. 

Saints were rampant and both Mallan and Morgan went close with the former forcing Penksa into a smart stop and the latter sending an effort just over the bar. 

Mallan wasn't to be denied his hat-trick though and he grabbed it in the most spectacular of fashions on the hour mark. The 21 year-old played a neat one-two with Loy before bending it into the top corner from around 30 yards. It was an utterly sublime effort from a tremendously talented player and would likely have been a shoo-in for goal of the season if the voting wasn't set to close already. 

There was no let up from Saints and Morgan thought he'd put the Buddies 5-0 up minutes later when he finished neatly. However, the linesman's flag was up as he adjudged the winner was just offside from Smith's pass through.  

But Morgan wasn't to be denied that 10th of the season as he scored with only a few minutes remaining. A long ball from Billy O'Brien was flicked on to Smith by substitute Stelios. Smith touched it on to Mallan who played the most sublime ball over the top of the Raith defenders to find Morgan. The young winger rattled the ball first time to secure a fantastic fifth for the Buddies.

Jack Ross' side now go to Easter Road knowing that a win will definitely see them avoid a play-off spot while a draw will likely be enough for the Buddies to retain their Championship status.

FULL TIME: St Mirren 5-0 Raith Rovers

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, Baird, MacKenzie (Webster 85), Eckersley, Magennis (Quinn 80), McGinn, Mallan, Morgan, Smith (Stelios 76), Loy
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Stelios, Quinn, Sutton, Fjelde, Todd, Webster

Raith Rovers: Penksa, Thompson, Thomson, M'Voto, McHattie, Skacel (Hardie 53), C.Barr, Johnston (Stewart 53), B.Barr (Court 53), Handling, McManus
Subs Not Used: Brennan, Roberts, Court, Stewart, Hardie, Benedictus

Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee: Joseph Lawson
Assistant Referee: Barry Reid

Burger and Keg located at 15 Gilmour Street is opened seven days a week from 9am till late. 

'B and K's' owners Gary McCaw and Trevor Mills are very proud of their Paisley roots and subsequently Paisley's local team St Mirren FC. Their aim is to improve what Paisley Town Centre has to offer, with great drink promos such as five beers for £10 and their cocktail of the week for £3.

The family friendy establishment offers kids meal deals, as well as a choice of meat, chicken, veggie or macaroni burgers for adults, whilst offering a different signature 'burger of the week'. 

St Mirren is pleased to welcome Burger and Keg as our match day sponsors for today's match against Raith.

St Mirren in the Community are delighted to confirm that the SMiSA Panda Club will be open as usual for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Championship fixture against Raith Rovers at The Paisley 2021 Stadium.

The SMiSA Panda Club will open at 1:00pm on Saturday. Parents please note that you should pick up your kids after the final whistle from the community office at 5:00pm.

Please note that for tomorrow's game entry to the SMiSA Panda Club is FREE of charge. Places are limited so you are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

For further information about the SMiSA Panda Club or to book your place at the next SMiSA Panda Club match day please contact Stephen Gallacher by e-mail at stephen.gallacher@stmirren.com.

Panda Club details for Saturday’s game are as follows:

St Mirren v Raith Rovers
Saturday 29th April 2017
1:00pm – 5:00pm

To find out more about the Panda Club click here

Billy O’Brien says that avoiding the drop would be one of the greatest achievements in most of the players’ careers.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper, who is currently on loan from Manchester City, staying in the Ladbrokes Championship could be a highlight of the players’ entire careers because of what they have done to get from where they were in January to now having the chance to avoid the drop.

People wouldn’t think it but doing this would probably be one of the greatest achievements in most of our careers," he told stmirren.com "We’re not winning something but because of where we were and where we can get to.

"If we win this game we’re guaranteed not to finish bottom, if that was offered to us three or four months ago we’d have snatched your hand off.

"By the end of January we’d been written off by so many people. It’s a huge incentive and it’s our aim to stay up whether it’s via the play-offs or not, as long as we get the job done we’re not bothered. To secure not finishing bottom is a step forward.”

"We know what we need to do to get the job done," O'Brien continued. "No matter what goes against us elsewhere we can still get it done, so it’s important that it’s in our hands. We’ve been on a really good run for three or four months now and we’re getting better step by step.”

On a personal level, joining St Mirren during this tough period has been very beneficial for O’Brien’s development; however he admitted that it has been a worrying time.

It’s what I needed," he said. "I don’t think I would have got that anywhere else in the world, it’s been a frightening period. Every single game for four months now has been must win but I’m enjoying every minute.”

The goalkeeper also commented on the importance of the fans and knows they will be out in force tomorrow to back the team. 

The fans have been massive, I’ve no doubt about them. Since day one for me they’ve been unbelievable in every aspect, home and away. They can see that we’re fighting on the pitch and that’s all we can do.

"We’re just a set of lads that are working hard together doing the best we can and whatever happens, happens. We appreciate their support because it’s been outstanding.”

The SPFL has today announced that the Group Stage draw for the 2017 Betfred Cup will take place on Friday, 2 June.

The 2017 Betfred Cup will kick off another season of Scottish football and follows a hugely successful first year in the competition’s unique format which saw a number of innovations introduced. BT Sport continue as broadcast partner of the Betfred Cup for a second season.

The Group Stage draw sees the 40 participating clubs placed into eight groups of five and scheduled to play four games across five match dates – 15 July, 19 July, 22 July, 26 July and 29 July (subject to broadcast selections).

The format, announced in advance of the 2016 Betfred Cup, sees all drawn Group Stage matches go straight to a penalty shoot-out with the winners earning an extra ‘bonus point’ in addition to the traditional point given for a draw.

Following the Group Stage, the eight group winners and four best runners-up join the four UEFA participants in the second round when the competition reverts to knockout matches, culminating in the 2017 Betfred Cup Final on Sunday 26 November. Celtic defeated Aberdeen 3-0 in the 2016 Betfred Cup Final in November earlier this season. 

SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster said:

“We’re very pleased to be able to confirm that the Group Stage draw of the 2017 Betfred Cup will take place on Friday, 2 June, a date for clubs and supporters to really look forward to.

“The first year of the new format was universally popular and with 80 Group Stage matches to be enjoyed during the summer it is the perfect way to kick off another Scottish football season of entertainment, excitement and drama.”

Click here to see the scheduled dates for all rounds of the 2017 Betfred Cup.

St Mirren could guarantee not finishing bottom of the Ladbrokes Championship when they host Raith Rovers tomorrow in a must win game.

A win for the Saints would see them leapfrog the Kirkcaldy side heading into the final match of the season. And with Raith facing current bottom side Ayr United on the final day, a Buddies victory tomorrow would mean that they cannot finish in 10th place.

The Buddies have faced Raith Rovers three times this season only managing a win on one occasion. Jack Ross was in charge for the last two meetings between the sides which saw him win one and lose one.

The first meeting between the two sides came back in August and saw visitors St Mirren suffer a 3-1 defeat. Declan McManus opened the scoring after 17 minutes. Ross Callachan then doubled the Rovers’ lead on the 50th minute before McManus scored his second and Raith’s third just a minute later. Rangers loanee Ryan Hardie pulled one back for the Saints just after the hour mark, but it wasn't enough to stir a Saints comeback.

Jack Ross had taken over as St Mirren manager when Raith Rovers travelled to the Paisley 2021 Stadium for the second league match between the sides. The Buddies, who had just picked up their first league win of the season a few days earlier, made it back-to-back triumphs with a goal from Lewis Morgan early on in the second half securing all three points.

The last clash between the two relegation rivals saw the Saints travel to Kirkcaldy to face Raith at Stark’s Park. Hardie, back on loan at Rovers after his spell at St Mirren, scored a double late on in the second half to give his side an important victory.

Despite coming off the back off a frustrating defeat to Dundee United last week, Jack Ross’ side will be confident going into tomorrow’s game following a great run of form aside from the Tannadice hiccup. The Buddies have won four of their last seven league matches and lost only two of their last 10.

It has all the makings of a tense and exciting game as both teams know a win will see them avoid finishing at the foot of the table ahead of the final day.

Our match day programme, published in partnership with Curtis Sport, will be available from the Club Shop ahead of Saturday’s game.

This issue, for the Ladbrokes Championship match against Raith Rovers, is a 48 pager with a £3 cover price.

The latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Adam Eckersley.
The Gaffer - St Mirren manager Jack Ross with his thoughts on recent matches and his pre-match message for the fans.
Matchday Gallery – Pictures from the post-match presentations in the corporate suite after the recent home game against Dumbarton.
Buddies News Update – News of the latest happenings in and around the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
Last Time Out – Match report and pictures of last Saturday's Championship match away to Dundee United.
Football, Bloody Hell – Alan Gallacher gives his thoughts on the upcoming match between St Mirren and Raith Rovers..
The Opposition – Brian Corry gives the lowdown on Saturday's visitors, John Hughes' Raith Rovers side.
Hall of Fame – David Cochran highlights the St Mirren career of Gerry Baker who was part of the 1959 Scottish Cup winning side.
Player Interview – Rory Loy talks about his second stint at St Mirren and working with manager Jack Ross.
Action Shot (Centre Pages) – Defender Adam Eckersley.
St Mirren Supporters Trust – John White updates on the latest happenings from SMiSA.
Fans Corner – Ticket prices, travel clubs update, match info and dates for fans to keep in their diary.
Championship Round-Up – A look back at week 33 of the Ladbrokes Championship season.
Last Time Out 2 – Match report and pictures from the recent match away to Morton.
Last Time Here – A gallery of match pictures from Raith Rovers' last visit to Paisley on league business back on 10th December.
Kit Sponsors 2016/17.
Marketing Matters – Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy brings us up to date with all the commercial activities within the Club.
St Mirren Fixtures & Results 2016/17 – A handy reference page of all the fixtures 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 2016/17 season click HERE.

If you live outside the UK & Ireland, St Mirren TV is your way to watch Paisley’s top football side live in action each and every home match day.

This service, which is delivered by media students from the University of the West of Scotland, will cover all of St Mirren’s home games.

As usual the St Mirren TV team will be presenting all the action from The Paisley 2021 Stadium when Raith Rovers are the visitors on Saturday afternoon.

If you want to tune in here is the info you will need:

St Mirren v Raith Rovers
Ladbrokes Championship
Venue: Paisley 2021 Stadium, Paisley
Date: Saturday 29th April 2017
Kick-off: 3:00pm BST

To access this match day service:

1 Day Pass – €6.99 EUR
Season Pass – €69.99 EUR

To view Terms & Conditions and get started with St Mirren TV please click HERE.

For technical support with St Mirren TV please e-mail tvsupport@stmirren.com