St Mirren

St Mirren fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's heavy Premier Sports Cup defeat by Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

Simon: Felt like a bit of a wake up. We played some nice football and made chances too, but we were frequently caught on the counter with very little cover behind the ball.

Jim: St Mirren lacking pace at the back really let them down. Going forward they look like a real threat to any defence but the gaps in midfield and at the back will cost them dearly. The substitutions well into the second half gave some hope of improving the season.

Paul: Disappointing, I thought the game would be a lot closer than 5-1. Some individuals were stand out for the wrong reasons. Need at least one CB, a RB and some muscle up front wouldn't hurt.

William: The scoreline flattered Rangers. Yes, the best team won but two debatable offsides, a retaken penalty (for an unclear reason) and the offending player not receiving a second yellow for a horrible tackle sums up Rangers' good fortune.

John: Tactically brave but naive. You just don't give one of the Old Firm that amount of time and space on their territory. We desperately need a decent striker, some grit in the middle of the park to battle in the trenches, and a proper centre-back to play alongside Alex Gogic. Given Marcus Fraser was (allegedly) on the bench due to a slight injury, why was he thrown in to replace Liam Donnelly who injured himself in the warm up?

Craig McLeish revealed there will be more business done by St Mirren before the transfer window closes, with Roland Idowu on his way out and Killian Phillips' future still up in the air. (Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish football gossip

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St Mirren boss Craig McLeish tells Premier Sports: "I think it's just disappointing from our part because we spoke about defending this.

"We showed some good things in moments but when you come away to Rangers moments aren't enough to get through. We were on the receiving end of Rangers being ruthless.

"I didn't quite understand why [Emmanuel] Fernandez wouldn't be booked in that situation, he felt like there was maybe a covering defender. That could change the game as well. Killian is unfortunate that he had to retake the penalty.

"We are bitterly disappointed about going out in the manner that we did."

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James Penrice scored and assisted on his debut as Derek McInnes' Rangers alleviated concerns about an early-season crisis by dispatching holders St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup last 16.

Have your say on the game

Read our match report

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St Mirren have signed winger Ismeal Kabia on a season-long loan from English Premier League champions Arsenal.

The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Shrewsbury Town becomes the Buddies' ninth summer signing.

Kabia was included in Arsenal's matchday squad for the first time back in 2024 against Tottenham but didn't feature.

His one and only first team appearance came in Arsenal's 5-1 win over Bolton in the League Cup.

"We're delighted to have Ismeal with us," manager Craig McLeish said.

"We've put a lot of work into it over the last few weeks. Arsenal had to give the go-ahead for when he could be released to come up because he's been involved with their first team throughout pre-season and played in some of their games.

"Mikel Arteta gave the clearance after their friendly the other night that he was happy with their squad.

"He'll bring real excitement. He's a one-v-one type winger with real pace and directness.

"He had 43 appearances with Shrewsbury last season in League Two. He played a lot of football last season and now he's looking for his next step in his development. We're getting a really good, hungry young player.

"We've had to fight off a lot of interest in him as well. He had lots of different options up here and down south and in Europe. It's a really good one for us and we're really excited to show him off."

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Midfielder Ryan Carr insists St Mirren will do everything in their power to retain their League Cup trophy as they travel to Rangers in Sunday's last 16 tie.

The Buddies, led by Stephen Robinson, beat Wilfried Nancy's Celtic 3-1 at Hampden last December to lift the domestic cup for the first time in 12 years.

Craig McLeish's side emerged from the group stage to set up a knock out tie against Rangers and Carr insists the Buddies are up to the challenge.

"The gaffer has touched on it quite a bit," the 21-year-old said. "Just drilling it into us that it is ours to lose and we're not going to give it up easy.

"I've spoken to the lads about it and they said that that final was one to remember. Hopefully we can do the same.

"I've never played at Ibrox so really looking forward to it. I've watched on the television, it's an unbelievable atmosphere so hopefully we can we can get a result.

"As a player, you want to win trophies and I think we've got a chance and it's a good chance.

"We've started well in the cup and took it into the league form and we are on a bit of a high at the minute so hopefully we carry it on."

St Mirren have agreed a deal with Arsenal to take 20-year-old winger Ismeal Kabiaon on loan. (Sun, external)

Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Premier Sports Cup holders St Mirren go to Ibrox with confidence, but not because they are anticipating vulnerability from Rangers, insists head coach Craig McLeish.

The Paisley side have started the season with two Premiership victories after topping their cup group, while the hosts are yet to pick up a win in four games under Derek McInnes.

However, McLeish is not reading too much into early form as he prepares for the last 16 tie.

"Taking away Rangers' situation, we have to go into any game confident that we can win it and that's what we're going to do," he said. "There's no good time to play Rangers or Celtic away from home.

"People will talk or there'll be noise about what they're doing at the moment, but they're still a very good team, a very good outfit, well-coached, well-drilled and have some real top quality players that can hurt you any moment.

"You can't go into it thinking that they're vulnerable or whatever. They're a very good team.

"But at the same time we've brought a group of boys together here who don't go anywhere with any sort of fear and you have to find the balance of it and not leave yourself exposed."

In three league meetings with Rangers last term, St Mirren suffered two narrow defeats after an August draw at home.

McLeish was at Ibrox on Thursday to watch McInnes's team exit Europa League qualifying after a 1-1 draw with Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok, with home supporters in a furious mood.

"That stuff's always there," he said of the booing at full-time. "I experienced that here as well, any time you lose a game or moments aren't going well for you. All it takes is one goal, one result and everyone's back feeling good.

"Rangers have such a strong group of players and they'll continue to add to it throughout this window.

"There's never a time where you go and they are there for the taking. You have to prepare for them as best you can and not take your eye off the ball."

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

When sociologist Alvin Gouldner wrote in 1955 that "human action can be rendered meaningful only by relating it to the contexts in which it takes place," I'm confident he had the opening two weekends of the 2026-2027 Scottish Premiership in mind.

Context is everything, pulling in multiple directions.

In Falkirk, bruised by key player departures in the transfer window, St Mirren were presented with an opening away fixture that could have been worse.

In facing St Johnstone, freshly promoted yet leaning heavily on those that sealed the Championship, as an opening home opponent, the Saints were smiled on by an algorithm that last year had totaalvoetbal pioneers Motherwell visit in the same weekend.

Yet, in presenting these favourable arguments there was also danger.

Harsher assignments may well have lower chances of success, but greater opportunity for confounding expectations.

A late 1-0 loss to Celtic on opening day in Glasgow last year resulted in no points, but indisputable proof this was another iteration of Stephen Robinson's St Mirren capable of battling richer opponents to the very last.

A 1-0 loss to Falkirk or St Johnstone this season as a rookie manager seeks to establish himself and his ideas... chaos.

In balancing not getting carried away with making sure appropriate credit is given for two hard-earned victories, it is the details that matter.

Two league wins from two for Craig McLeish and his side. Two clean sheets. Two penalties, one saved, and one scored.

Three league goals for Killian Phillips already, relishing life as a 10.

Eight league debuts. Three young Scots (possibly four) in starring roles.

Six and a half thousand Buddies being treated to full-blooded, front-footed, head-up football from a youthful squad with more to come.

Thirty-six games to go.

Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian

Made eight saves as Hibs held on for another win over Rangers at Ibrox.

Kanayo Megwa - Hibernian

Played a big part in a strong, steady victorious showing at Ibrox.

Auston Trusty - Celtic

Superb block on the line as the American kept things tight at the back for Celtic.

Owen Bevan - Dundee

You don't have to be called Bevan to do well for Dundee, but it clearly helps. Strong showing at the back.

Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell

More often than not makes an impact down the left for the Steelmen.

Joe Bevan - Dundee

Looked impressive at times against Celtic and took it to a new level against Aberdeen with a goal and assist.

Tom Renaud - Hearts

His laser-guided rocket reminded me of Ally McCoist at Euro '96. To be fair, Renaud's was even better.

Killian Phillips - St Mirren

Suddenly the main man for the Buddies. Loved his no-nonsense one-step penalty.

Josh McPake - Hearts

Scored a fine goal, linking up with Claudio Braga. Shining on the Tynecastle stage after his heroics for St Johnstone.

Kasper Hogh - Celtic

An ebullient, winning personality and the Celtic fans have a new hero after the £11m man netted a hat-rick and looked an all round class act.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Ran out of superlatives for his contribution last season, and was back to his best against Dundee United with a goal and two assists.

Watch all the highlights from St Mirren's narrow 1-0 victory over St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership as the Buddies continued their winning start to the new league season. Available to UK users only

St Mirren fans, we asked for your views after Saturday's 1-0 Scottish Premiership victory over St Johnstone.

Here's what some of you said:

Eddie: A good result however we rode our luck and it was not a very convincing performance to be honest but six points two games is a great start.

Tony: What a great start to the season, never saw it coming. I think what we have found out is we have signed some really good players and that Jake Young has to start every game, his energy and desire causes all sorts of bother for the opposition. Long may it continue.

John: I'm not quite sure how I feel about that. Delighted with the three points but so not convinced by the performance. For long spells it lacked a cutting edge and urgency, and I wonder how we would have coped if the Perth lot had scored their penalty at 0-0.

Simon: A closely fought competitive game. Both sides played good football and made ( and missed) chances. We scored our penalty, they missed theirs, fine margins but delighted the Buddies edged it.

James: Saints won the kind of game you have to win to push up this league - tight with few clear cut chances in which defences dominate. Six points from six is a great start.

Paul: Great result with good play but frustrating to watch at times. We're definitely going in the right direction. Still some transfers needed.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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St Mirren goalkeeper Jacob Chapman insists taking maximum points from their opening two Premiership games "sets the tempo" for the season after they overcame St Johnstone 1-0 at home.

Killian Philipps' second-half penalty was decisive after Chapman laid the foundation with an earlier spot-kick save from Jamie Gullan.

The win leaves Craig McLeish's side top of the table on six points following a strong opening to the campaign.

"It's massive," the Australian told BBC Scotland. "That was the goal for these two games. The manager was driving that into us this week.

"Stay top of the table for as long as you can. Show everyone how good we are.

"We have a top, top group here. We fully back ourselves to do that.

"Now we've just got to build on this and keep going."

No-one at St Mirren will be getting carried away but the opening to their league season is in stark contrast to having to come through a relegation play-off last term.

The former Huddersfield stopper, who signed a two-year deal to join this summer, believes the strong start will stand them in good stead heading into their Premier Sports Cup tie against Rangers at Ibrox next weekend.

"It's nice to do our first game of the season at home as well, but we need to go and do it there [at Ibrox] as well," Chapman said. "We fully back ourselves to go and play our type of football there and be strong.

"It doesn't matter if we play Rangers or Celtic at home or away.

"It's what we're about and we'll go there with full confidence and belief and be as strong as we can."

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St Mirren manager Craig McLeish: "Delighted for the group, a really good, hard-fought win. A lot of our performance was good, we just had to add a bit more intensity to our performance in the first half.

"We were quite comfortable without troubling them too much. We stepped it up a bit second half. We got away with one when Jacob makes a fantastic save for the penalty.

"Then we convert our own penalty, so it was fine margins. Games are going to be like that for us and we have to show that fight and resilience. Our energy and how we pressed at the end, we could have scored a couple on the counter, that was really pleasing.

"We have to be horrible to play against. Two clean sheets sets us up well for that. The attacking bit, a few bits didn't quite click in the final third to create real, clear cut opportunities. When we counter attack, we do it at speed and we look dangerous.

"Those are standards that we set from day one of pre-season. How quickly do we get back into shape, everyone doing it and joining in. We want to be really good at the basics and not get bored of that.

"The running, energy and desire. We want to be fit and strong and relentless this season against whoever we play. We have to keep those standards really high. We did it last week and lived up to it again today.

"It helps with the belief in each other. I've said to the boys I confidence them. Last season, we had two horrendous play off games - even the emotion about it, there were so much nerves when we stepped on the pitch.

"I'm still using that as fuel, I don't want to be involved in that. We've got a massive journey ahead of us and we have to keep building. Six points out of six is a great start."

St Mirren made it two wins from two in the new Scottish Premiership season as Killian Phillips' second-half penalty proved decisive in a tight encounter with St Johnstone.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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St Mirren's Declan John is available following a hamstring injury. Ryan Mullen (thigh) has resumed training, while long-term casualties Keanu Baccus (Achilles) and Jonah Ayunga (cruciate ligament) remain sidelined.

St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari expects to have a full-strength squad available.

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St Mirren manager Craig McLeish isn't worrying about the future of Killian Phillips even though he admits he could lose the midfielder this summer.

The 24-year-old scored both of St Mirren's goals in their 2-0 win over Falkirk last weekend and transfer speculation has begun to swirl around the Republic of Ireland international as a result.

As things stand Phillips is under contract with the Buddies until the summer of 2027 after the club triggered a one-year extension earlier this year.

But McLeish admits Phillips may wish to move on sooner.

"If he keeps playing like that [against Falkirk], we know there's going to be interest," McLeish said.

"And we know that he's probably at the stage of his career now that he's looking for his next step.

"If that comes now, then fine, great for Killian. And if we get him for the next six months or for this full season, then we're delighted with that.

"Part of our club model is to develop players and move them on. I'm not saying that time has come for Killian but undoubtedly he's going to have interest. I can't sit here and worry about it.

"We need to make sure we have plans in place if Killian, or anyone, moves on."

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St Mirren manager Craig McLeish has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's visit of St Johnstone.

Here are the main points:

• On last weekend's victory over Falkirk, McLeish says it was "a really good start", adding it's helped "build confidence and momentum".

• McLeish admits he "likes watching" St Johnstone and "how they try and play their front four" but knows they "can cause a lot of problems".

• McLeish says the "squad is quite big at the moment" and stresses that any new additions that arrive have to "enhance the starting XI".

• The Buddies boss wouldn't be surprised to see interest in Killian Phillips, who scored both of their goals against Falkirk, and says "if he plays like he does against Falkirk undoubtedly there's going to be interest in him".

• McLeish admits the midfielder is "probably at a stage of his career that he's looking for a next step" but says he's "not aware" of any bids for Phillips.

• The 36-year-old insists it is "part of our club model" to develop players and move them on and while he's "not saying that time has come for Killian", he "can't sit here and worry about it" and must "make sure we have plans in place if Killian, or anyone, moves on".

• McLeish admits, however, that there are no imminent arrivals in Paisley.

• Team news: Declan John will be in the squad for Saturday's game.

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• St Mirren have lost four of their past five home league games against newly-promoted opponents, winning the other 1-0 against Livingston in December 2025.

• St Johnstone won their last league meeting with St Mirren 1-0 in February 2025 but have not beaten the Buddies successively in the Scottish Premiership since March 2019 (five in a row).

• St Mirren are looking to win their opening two Premiership matches in a season for the first time since 2023-24, when they eventually finished fifth.

• St Johnstone won 4-3 against Kilmarnock last weekend but have not started a top-flight campaign with two wins since 2017-18 under manager Tommy Wright.

• Jamie Gullan registered two assists on his first Scottish Premiership appearance for St Johnstone, while he led all Saints player for shots (4), chances created (5) and touches in the opposition box (6) against Killie.