| 2023/24 |  |
| Style | 9 |
| Impact | 8 |
| Elegance | 9 |
| Longevity | N/A |
| RATING | 85% |
| 2023/24 | |
| Style | 8 |
| Impact | 6 |
| Elegance | 8 |
| Longevity | N/A |
| RATING | 70% |
| 2023/24 | |
| Style | 7 |
| Impact | 8 |
| Elegance | 6 |
| Longevity | N/A |
| RATING | 68% |
74%
2023 – MACRON
2023/24
02/03/2024 (Aberdeen H)
cinch PREMIERSHIP
2nd March 2024
SMISA Stadium, Paisley
St. Mirren 2-1 Aberdeen
Barron 1
O’HARA (PEN) 90+6
OLUSANYA 90+7
ATT: 7,019
Referee: N Walsh
VAR:
- An incredible end to the match witnesses Saints score twice in stoppage time to seal a vital 3 points that pushes the team back to 4th position.
- Toyosi Olusnaya is once more the Saints hero and celebrates his new 1-year contract extension by winning a penalty which Mark O’Hara converts and then seals an unlikely win seconds later with a volley high into the net following a devastating counter attack.
- This follows a period of 95 minutes, plus 2 minutes first half stoppage time, where Aberdeen had led following a remarkable opening minute 30-yard strike from Connor Barron.
- Despite hitting the post and the crossbar as well as having 65% possession, Saints looked unlikely before this to counter this Dons goal as interim manager Neil Warnock looked for his first win at Pittodrie to ease their relegation woes.
- The match is watched by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who enjoyed the newly opened James Dunlop suite in the main stand which is located where the 1877 trophy space was.
27/02/2024 (Ross County A)
cinch PREMIERSHIP
27th February 2024
Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall
Ross County 1-1 St. Mirren
White 11
OLUSANYA 86
ATT: 3.142
Referee: G Irvine
VAR: G Aitken
- A frustrating night for Saints in Dingwall, as a late Toyosi Olusnaya goal salvages a point from a match Ross County posed little threat to throughout 90 minutes plus added time.
- Alex Gogic has a rare off night, gifting Jordan White the opening goal on 11 minutes following a short pass back, in what would prove to be the home sides only meaningful shot on target.
- Despite a lacklustre display from Saints, they dominate the match and are denied a stonewall penalty in the first half when the referee and VAR somehow miss a blatant handball by Ryan Leak. Saints would subsequently submit a notice of complaint to the SPFL and SFA over this.
- The match is shown live by Sky Sports, not a big issue in modern football, however this is the first Saints away match in the league shown by the broadcaster since July 2011 at East End Park.
- Toyosi Olusanya grabs a point for Saints when he outstrips the County defence to slot past Wickens with four minutes remaining. James Scott has an identical chance 60 seconds later but screws his shot wide.
17/02/2024 (Livingston A)
cinch PREMIERSHIP
3rd February 2024
The Tony Macaroni Stadium, Livingston
Livingston 1-0 St. Mirren
Yengi 45+3
ATT: 2,120
Referee: E Norris
VAR:
• Saints issues with scoring appears to reach a crisis point when they are beaten by bottom club Livingston, despite having 21 attempts at goal, including a missed penalty.
• The away side start very strongly, with Boyd-Munce finding space in the final third for attackers with ease, however Saints waste multiple chances and opportunities, with Scott missing the best in the opening minutes when his free header flashes wide.
• In first half injury time, Livingston hit Saints with the ultimate suckerpunch when Yengi fires high past Hemming who had failed to hold the initial effort from a corner, in what was the home sides first attack.
• The wayward finishing continues in the opening minute of the second half when substitute Lewis Jamieson finds himself one on one with Shamal George, however the keeper claws away the effort to round him, and Kiltie’s follow up is headed off the line by Obileye.
• Saints are awarded a penalty in the final quarter of the match after Olusanya is tripped inside the area, however Mandron’s penalty is terribly weak allowing George to easily save. Mandron’s luck doesn’t improve however, when he misses from less than a yard a few minutes later after a brilliant Jamieson cross.
• Charles Dunne misses the final chance deep inside injury time when he fires wide after a scramble, and frustrations boil over at full time when Stephen Robinson and a fan are involved in an argument leading to Alex Gogic escorting a clearly angry manager back to the dressing room. Saints remain 5th and this was Livingston’s first win in 18 league matches.
11/02/2024 (Celtic H)
Scottish Gas Scottish Cup 5th Round
11th January 2024
SMISA Stadium, Paisley
St. Mirren 0-2 Celtic
Kyogo15
Maeda 53
ATT: 4,400
Referee: N Walsh
VAR: Not in use
• Despite a very strong performance, Saints are knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Celtic after a match they dominated for long periods, however failed once more to take advantage of their superiority.
• Celtic open the scoring with their first attack and shot at goal on 15 minutes after being pinned back from the opening minute by Saints, when Kyogo fires home from the edge of the box.
• Gogic hits the crossbar and pulls off a great save from Hart following a scissors kick as Saints laid siege to the Celtic goal for the remainder of the first half.
• Kiltie and Brown are guilty of missing easy headers from only a few yards out in the second half, but Celtic further punish Saints when Maeda slams home.
• The attendance of only 4,400 is a talking point and more evidence of Saints fans staying away from matches against the old firm. The attendance is the lowest for the fixture since the 1890’s.
07/02/2024 (Dundee H)
cinch PREMIERSHIP
7th February 2024
SMISA Stadium, Paisley
St. Mirren 2-0 Dundee
MANDRON 73
BOLTON
OLUNSANYA 90+1
ATT: 5,737
Referee: S McLean
VAR:
• Saints strengthen their hold on 5th place with a strong performance over 6th placed Dundee, dominating the match for long periods and threatening former Buddie Trevor Carson throughout.
• After concerted pressure, the home side finally breakthrough in the final quarter of the match when Mandron crashes a 20 yard volley off the surface and beyond the reach of Carson to open the scoring.
• James Bolton is red carded not long after, when he commits to a tackle, but pulls out meaning his body collides with a Dundee player. The referee, Steven McLean, shows a straight red card, but despite a VAR review and request to look again, the official stands by his decision.
• TV evidence appears to be on the side of the Saints defender, with widespread condemnation of the decision, however the club loses the subsequent appeal and Bolton is suspended for 2 matches.
• Toyosi Olusanya, just back from suspension himself, seals the win in injury time when his perfectly timed run pierces the Dees defence and he slots home the Tansder pass, only for the linesman to inexplicably flag for offside. VAR is to Saints rescue on this occasion however, and the goal is eventually given with Olusanya at least 3 yards onside!
03/02/2024 (Hibernian A)
cinch PREMIERSHIP
3rd February 2024
Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh
Hibs 0-3 St. Mirren
GOGIC 8
KILTIE 34 (PEN)
MANDRON 44
ATT: 16,689
Referee: D Dickinson
VAR:
- • Following a sensational first half from Saints where they could have scored 5 or 6 times, the players record the biggest win at Easter Road since April 1985 when Frank McAvennie inspired a 4-0 victory.
- • The victory ensures back-to-back away league wins for the first time since Jim Goodwin last few weeks at the club in early 2022, clinched also by a win at Easter Road when Conor Ronan scored the only goal.
- • Alex Gogic’s sensational form continues with another goal, but it is his defending that is really standing out as he excels in the “libero” role Robinson has persisted with despite Gogic arguably being missed from midfield.
- • Mikeal Mandron produces his best performance in a Saints shirt with a fabulous display up top being rewarded with the final goal from a Boyd-Munce corner, another who probably had his best day for the club.
- • This win is achieved despite the ongoing selection issues which now include a long-term injury to Conor McMenamin as well as continued hamstring problems for captain O’Hara who is yet to appear this calendar year. Keanu Baccus remains on duty with Australia at the Asian Cup and Ryan Strain is still not even at the training stage of his recovery.
27/01/2024 (Rangers H)
cinch PREMIERSHIP
27th January 2024
SMISA Stadium, Paisley
St. Mirren 0-1 Rangers
Dessers 14
ATT: 6,665
Referee: D Dickinson
VAR:
• Saints fall to an undeserved defeat against title chasing Rangers who clinched the victory due to a strange early goal from Nigerian international Cyriel Dessers.
• The winning goal comes about after the wind plays havoc with a long punt and Hemming is caught out, allowing the Rangers player to round him and slot home.
• Despite heavy pressure late in the match including a James Bolton header that rattled the post, Saints are unable to press home their superiority and lose to Rangers for the third time this season.
• 23-year-old forward James Scott, a recent signing from Exeter City and former Scotland under 21 player, makes his debut for Saints. Stephen Robinson had given him his professional debut in 2017and sold him to Hull City for £1.5 million in 2020.
• Despite multiple injuries, substitutions and time wasting from Rangers throughout the second half, Saints are incensed as referee Dickinson adds on only 3 minutes at the end, leaving little time to force an equaliser and the side stays 5th.
20/01/2024 (Queen of the South H)
Scottish Gas Scottish Cup 4th Round
20th January 2024
SMISA Stadium, Paisley
St. Mirren 1-0 Queen of the South
Gogic 71
ATT: 3,425
Referee: N Walsh
VAR: Not in use
- In the first match back after the winter break, Saints progress to the next round of the Scottish Cup with a slender but very comfortable victory over League One side, Queen of the South.
- Alex Gogic is the matchwinner, thumping home a header from a Kiltie cross as the match rumbled towards possible extra time despite complete dominance from the home side.
- Robinson gives a home debut to on-loan Celtic South Korean midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu, easing the central midfield crisis still affecting the squad as O’Hara and Baccus remain unavailable.
- A full debut was also given to Ugandan right wing back Elvis Bwomono, signed the previous month from Icelandic side IBV, after he came on as a sub against Celtic.
- Saints would draw Celtic at home in the next round.
02/01/2024 (Celtic H)
cinch PREMIERSHIP
2nd January 2024
SMISA Stadium, Paisley
St. Mirren 0-3 Celtic
Maeda 1
O’Reilly 6
Olusanya 45+3
Taylor 62
ATT: 6,943
Referee: D Munro
VAR:
• A disappointing defeat at home to Celtic, is tempered by the fact Saints went into the match missing most of their first-choice midfield, with O’Hara and Strain both injured and Baccus on international duty for Australia.
• These absences forced Robinson to utilise Ryan Flynn in central midfield, a position he hadn’t played for several years, and Caolan Boyd-Munce who had been relegated to a place on the bench for most of the previous 10 matches.
• A deplorable opening to the match witnessed Saints 2-0 down after only six minutes and the match effectively over. To add to Saints woes, Toyosi Olusanya was sent off after VAR consultation in first half injury time, following his attempt to turn a Tanser cross into the net resulted in his foot striking Joe Hart.
• A debut from the bench was given to Ugandan right wing back Elvis Bwomono, signed the previous month from Icelandic side IBV as this was the first match he was eligible to play.
• Saints remain in 5th position going into the winter break which begins immediately following this match.