St Mirren

Stevie Mallan is on trial with former club St Mirren after the 30-year-old midfielder left promoted St Johnstone, but striker Mikael Mandron has rejected a new contract with the Paisley club. (Daily Record, external)

Leicester City and Charlton Athletic are among the clubs eyeing a move for striker Mikael Mandron, who is a free agent after leaving St Mirren. (Peter O'Rourke on X, external)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

St Mirren have held talks with Leon King after the centre-half was freed by Rangers, but manager Craig McLeish has told the 22-year-old they have to bolster other positions in the squad first before making an offer. (Daily Record, external)

St Mirren are set to win the race to sign 20-year-old Queen's Park centre-half Henry Fieldson on a free transfer. (Pete O'Rourke on X, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Miguel Freckleton has left St Mirren to join Austrian champions LASK for an undisclosed fee in a deal the Paisley club say includes "significant future add-ons and a sell-on clause".

The English defender, 22, joined Saints last year and leaves as a Premier Sports Cup winner after making 47 appearances for the club, scoring four times.

He was previously with Sheffield United, who loaned him out to four different English clubs before his move north.

"With a year remaining on his Saints deal, Miguel made clear his desire to take on a new challenge with the Austrian champions," said a St Mirren statement.

"We sincerely thank Miguel for his contributions. He departs with the best wishes of everyone at St Mirren."

Last season, LASK ended a 61-year wait to win the Austrian Bundesliga for just the second time. They also won the Austrian Cup for a second time, emulating their 1964-65 campaign with a league and cup double.

Dietmar Kuhbauer's side open the defence of their league title later this month and will enter the Champions League at the play-off round in August, the same stage and path as Celtic.

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Hearts have beaten Scottish Premiership rivals St Mirren 3-1 in the Edinburgh side's first pre-season friendly under new head coach Wouter Vrancken.

It was St Mirren's second game since former caretaker Craig McLeish was given the job permanently, the Paisley side having beaten Championship team 4-2 on Saturday.

Midfielder Sander Kartum, forward Rogers Mato and James Wilson, the 19-year-old striker who was on loan to Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season, scored Hearts' goals at their training camp in Spain.

St Mirren's goal came from 18-year-old substitute left-back Thomas Falconer.

Jacob Chapman, who signed earlier in the day from Huddersfield Town, started in goal for the Buddies along with two summer midfield signings - Samuel Ramos, previously of Zemplin Michalovce and Ryan Carr, who arrived from Ipswich Town).

Former Airdrieonians midfielder Chris Mochrie was among the substitutes.

Wilson started up front for Hearts along with Sabri Guendouz, the new signing from Beerschot, while MJ Kamson-Kamara, the defender signed from Lincoln City and midfielder Yan Dhanda, who has returned from his loan to Dundee, also started.

Former Versailles midfielder Tom Renaud, ex-St Johnstone winger Josh McPake and Calvin Miller, the winger signed from Falkirk, were among the substitutes.

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St Mirren have tasked themselves with turning Jacob Chapman into an Australia international after signing the 25-year-old goalkeeper from Huddersfield Town for an undisclosed fee.

Chapman travelled from his homeland to join the League One club's academy at the age of 18 and has since made 28 first-team appearances.

But he ended last season on loan to Crawley Town, keeping nine clean sheets in 20 appearances as they narrowly avoided relegation in League Two.

Now he has signed two-year contract with the Scottish Premiership club, who hold an option of a further year.

St Mirren manager Craig McLeish told his club website: "We've had loans for the last three seasons or so and it feels like we're developing goalkeepers for other clubs and not getting a long-term benefit from it.

"Our specific targets were to find someone at a really good age, like Jacob, who has development still to do. We get really good use out of him, but ultimately we want Jacob to get to the highest level that he wants to get to.

"He's been in and around the Australia national team squads and training camps. That's one of the goals that we've set, can we turn Jacob into a full international.

"We really like a lot about his game. He's an all-rounder and a very good shot-stopper. He's really comfortable on the ball and helps us build and helps us play."

Chapman had been told there was no guarantee of first-team football if he remained in Huddersfield and is delighted to accept "a fantastic opportunity" to join a club that won the Scottish League Cup last season.

"The league's great with the games you play and St Mirren's obviously a very good club," he said. "I know some of the boys and they gave me fantastic references on everyone here, coaches and people around the club, which is massive."

During his time with Huddersfield, Chapman also had loan spells with Ossett United, Gateshead, Salford City and Rochdale and sporting director Chris Markham told his club website: "Understandably, at 25 years old, Jacob wants regular first-team football, which is something we cannot guarantee here.

"We believe this move is in the best interests of the player and the club. It gives Jacob the chance to establish himself as a number one and rewards Huddersfield Town as he hopefully succeeds."

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Midfielder Fraser Taylor is relishing a "fresh start" under new St Mirren boss Craig McLeish after signing a two-year contract extension.

The 23-year-old academy graduate, whose deal now runs to summer 2028, made his first-team debut in 2022 and featured 13 times for the Buddies last season before joining Partick Thistle on loan in January.

"I'm really pleased, since the new manager has come in, he spoke to me on the off-season, and his ideas really suit the way I like to play," said Taylor.

"It was the right decision for me to stay here and it feels like a fresh start. I'm really looking forward to the next two years and hopefully I can keep developing as the player I want to be.

"This season is all about playing games and playing at the highest level I can. I want to be playing at this level more consistently and showing the fans and other people in the country what I can do.

"It's going to be a different season, changing the way we're going to play. It's really exciting and I think the club and all the fans should be excited."

Dylan Reid, the 21-year-old midfielder who left St Mirren for Crystal Palace in 2023 and has just been released, and 22-year-old Middlesbrough winger Micah Hamilton featured as trialists for the Buddies in a pre-season friendly against Arbroath. (Daily Record, external)

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

St Mirren remain interested in George Abbott, with the 21-year-old former Watford defender being eyed by other Scottish clubs after leaving Górnik Łęczna following their relegation from the Polish top flight. (Rudy Galetti on X, external)

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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St Mirren captain Mark O'Hara has departed the club and re-joined fellow Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock on a two-year deal.

The 30-year-old was out of contract after four years in Paisley. O'Hara scored 25 goals in his 142 St Mirren appearances, helped the club to three top-six finishes, European football and last season's League Cup win.

The midfielder began his career with Killie's youth academy and made 87 appearances for the first team before joining Dundee in 2016, where he worked with current Rugby Park boss Neil McCann.

"I'm delighted to be back and it's good to come back at this stage of my career when I'm a different player than when I left," O'Hara told Killie TV.

"This is the club that gave me my chance in football. I'm looking forward to a successful season ahead.

"I needed a fresh challenge. The club's in a good place and having had conversations with the manager, and working for him before, I knew he was somebody I wanted to work for again and that he'll get the best out of me. It's nice to be able to give a bit back to the club that gave me an opportunity."

Head coach McCann added: "He's an important signing for the team.

"As St Mirren's captain, he brings leadership skills. We lost Brad [Lyons], who had been a big presence around here, so it's important that we brought in another leader within the group.

"Mark I know well from my time at Dundee and he was absolutely brilliant for me. It was a long time ago but he's still got a lot to offer. He's a homegrown player with a massive connection to the club, which I'm sure the fans will appreciate and enjoy him being back."

Midfielder Mark O'Hara, 30 has rejected a one-year contract at St Mirren and agreed a two-year switch to former club Kilmarnock. (Daily Record), external

St Mirren are weighing up a return for midfielder Dylan Reid, 21, who left the Paisley club for Crystal Palace in 2023. (Daily Record), external

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Roland Idowu scored twice as St Mirren opened their pre-season programme with a 4-2 win over second-tier Arbroath.

New midfielder Ryan Carr started and Idowu netted both his goals in the first half as Craig McLeish's side when in at the break 2-1 up, Ryan Dow on target for the hosts.

New signing Chris Mochrie was among those who featured in the second-half XI.

Jayden Richardson netted St Mirren's third and Theo McCormick made it 4-1 before Gavin Reilly's reply.

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Chris Mochrie is eager to show "what I can do" after joining St Mirren on a two-year deal with the option of a further year.

The former Dundee United attacking midfielder, 23, arrives in Paisley following a two-year spell at Airdrieonians. He had been loaned to Montrose and Dunfermline Athletic by United before joining Airdrie.

All in all, Mochrie has made 206 senior club appearances, scoring 25 goals.

"I'm buzzing, really excited to get going," he told St Mirren media.

"It's a big club and I'm looking forward to getting started and showing what I can do."

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Former St Mirren midfielder Burton O'Brien has returned to the club to join Craig McLeish's coaching staff.

He joined Blackburn Rovers in 1999 and go on to have spells with Livingston, Sheffield Wednesday, Falkirk, Alloa Athletic and Cowdenbeath.

After retiring in 2017, O'Brien became the under-18s coach within St Mirren's academy for over three years.

Since then he's worked with the Scottish FA and has previously worked alongside head coach McLeish for the national team.

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Midfielder Ryan Carr is excited to be part of "something really exciting" after signing for St Mirren.

The Scotland Under-21 international moves to Paisley on a two-year contract, with a club-held option of a further 12 months, following his release by Ipswich Town.

"I'm very happy to get signed," said Carr. "I've had a couple of good conversations with the manager. What he's trying to build here is something really exciting and I want to be a part of it.

"Fans can expect that I will give 100% in every game. I'm energetic, hard working, love both sides of the game in possession and defending. Goals and assists are something I like to chip in with as well."

Carr, who previously had loan spells at Aveley, Gateshead and Ebbsfleet United, becomes new manager Craig McLeish's second summer arrival after Spanish midfielder Samuel Ramos.

McLeish says Saints' new head of recruitment Gavin Miller was the driving force behind Carr's signing.

"Ryan was brought to my attention by Gavin," he said.

"Gavin really liked him from watching him at Ipswich U21s and I then watched his footage from the Scotland U21s. I spoke to people that knew him, coaches, staff and players that worked with him at the U21 level.

"I think the fans will love his energy and his tenacity in the middle of the pitch and he can handle the ball really well too. He's one that we're really excited about."

St Mirren have offered captain Mark O'Hara a new contract, but the 30-year-old midfielder is also a target for Kilmarnock and has interest from clubs in Asia and Eastern Europe. (Kyle Gunn on X), external

Monday's Scottish gossip

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Declan John "was playing through a painful injury and put off his surgery" last season to help St Mirren avoid relegation, manager Craig McLeish has revealed as the left-back was rewarded with an extra year on his contract.

The 30-year-old Welshman, who initially joined on a short-term deal in November 2024, is now contracted to the Scottish Premiership club until summer 2028.

McLeish described it as "a fantastic piece of business" to extend his stay further.

"Declan is a really important player for us and I think he's one of the best full-backs in the league," he told St Mirren's website.

"He brings so much experience and leadership on and off the pitch and is a core part of our experienced group of players.

"He was playing through a painful injury and put off his surgery to try and help us over the line. I think that speaks volume of Declan as a character and I'm delighted to have him for the longer-term."

John played for Cardiff City, Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rangers, Swansea City, Sunderland, Bolton Wanderers and Salford City before moving to Paisley and making 62 appearances, scoring three times and contributing 11 assists.

He said he is "not far away" from a return to full fitness and added: "The club has shown really good faith in me over the last couple of seasons.

"I think I've done quite well over my time at the club and it's nice for the club to come forward and offer me the extension."

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St Mirren manager Craig McLeish has made his first signing of the summer, with Spanish midfielder Samuel Ramos arriving in Paisley.

The 25-year-old joins up at the Smisa Stadium after leaving Slovakian topflight side Zemplin Michalovce, where he scored eight goals in 32 games last season.

He previously spent times in Las Palmas' youth academy, before a short spell with Mensajaro in his homeland.

Ramos has signed a deal until 2028, having been scouted by McLeish and new head of recruitment Gavin Miller.

He is only the third Spaniard to play for St Mirren, following former Barcelona captain Victor Munoz and midfielder Tonet.

"Samuel Ramos is someone I'm really excited about getting in," McLeish told the St Mirren website.

"I came across him a good few months ago before I was in interim charge.

"Once I got the manager's role and Gavin [Miller] came in, I shared it with him and we looked at the data and it was really good.

"I watched a lot of his games, spoke to teammates of his and spoke to an ex-coach so I did a lot of digging.

"I think the fans will enjoy watching him play and watching his energy and his passion that he plays. It's one I'm really excited about and hopefully he can be a big player for us."

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland

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Craig McLeish has been speaking to the media after being officially unveiled as St Mirren manager.

Here are the main points from his press conference:

• On receiving the phone call from chief operating officer Keith Lasley informing him he'd got the job, McLeish admits "I kind of knew he was going to give me that news and I was just delighted it turned out the way I wanted it to."

• The new boss adds he's "really excited about the opportunity and to get the group back together, excited to put all our things in place and show it off to the fans."

• The 36-year-old says Scottish football is "in a really good place" and is "delighted to be part of that" as he takes charge of St Mirren.

• McLeish hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow managers, adding "I have so much admiration for guys like Derek McInnes, Stephen Robinson, John McGlynn, Martin O'Neill, they've done it year in year out and that's ultimately what I want to achieve in the game."

• But the manager "knows how this goes, I need to be successful in the short term to allow me to build that longevity" adding I've been involved in football long enough I know how it needs to go. We need to hit the ground running."

• Looking at players like John McGinn and Kenny McLean at the World Cup, who both spent early parts of their careers in Paisley, McLeish insists "that's the bit the club has to celebrate - that we can provide that pathway for our players."

• He adds "I'm so proud now to be the guy in charge of that who can bring through the next generation of players."

• McLeish hasn't had a chance to catch up with his players yet but stresses "I owe them, even some of the boys that have now moved on, so much gratitude for how they bought into everything from day one, how much they fought for each other. I owe them so much for me sitting in this position."

• On how his St Mirren team will set up, McLeish says "I've got an ideal way which I'd love to play but that's if you've got the absolute best players in the world."

• And adds "we've got to work with what we've got and be pragmatic at times as well, I think I showed that during the interim period."

• But McLeish stresses "I will do things the way I see best to win games. We'll try to do it with a positive style, on the front foot and be exciting to watch but ultimately I need to be pragmatic and win games."

Dundee United and St Mirren are interested in 25-year-old St Johnstone goalkeeper Ross Sinclair, who has been offered a new deal at at McDiarmid Park. (Daily Record - subscription required)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.