St Mirren

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St Mirren caretaker manager Craig McLeish tells BBC Scotland: "It was a challenging game. We equipped ourselves well.

"We tried to play in the right areas but just lacked a bit in the final third. I can't ask any more from the boys in terms of their effort.

"We tried to make it as difficult as we could for Rangers.

"They could have maybe done better with some of the opportunities they did create.

"We only had two training sessions. If we're still in charge of the group next weekend, we get a bit more time to work on it and hopefully add some quality in the final third.

"The boys have to try to take some momentum from this. We've tried to go toe-to-toe with Rangers - we didn't just sit in.

"We know we're in a fight at the bottom, we have to now put performances together and the results will come. We have more than enough to get out of that situation."

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Stephen Robinson's departure has naturally led to speculation about who might be his successor as St Mirren manager.

Our reporter Chick Young said on Saturday's Sportsound programme that former Buddies midfielder Stephen McGinn is one name being considered by the board.

The 37-year-old, speaking on Sky Sports before St Mirren's match against Rangers, did not rule out taking the job, but admits his first-team coaching role under John McGlynn at Falkirk "would be a lot to walk away from".

He says it has "been a whirlwind with all the noise" on social media that has "came from nowhere" following Robinson's exit to Aberdeen.

"I always wanted to be a manager but wanted to learn my trade," McGinn said.

The former midfielder had two spells with the Buddies as a player, scoring 15 goals in 201 appearances for the club.

Former Dundee manager Tony Docherty, recently sacked by Ross County, is the bookmakers' favourite to be St Mirren's new team boss ahead of Stenhousemuir's Gary Naysmith and former Fleetwood Town manager Charlie Adam. (The Scotsman), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Captain Mark O'Hara is eyeing up more history with League Cup winners St Mirren.

The Buddies lifted the League Cup trophy in December but have struggled since then and sit three points above Kilmarnock in the relegation play-off spot.

However they could still achieve a historic cup double - they face Celtic in next month's semi-final at Hampden.

If they're to do that though, it will be without the manager who guided them to silverware earlier this season after Stephen Robinson left to join Premiership rivals Aberdeen.

"We can't be doom and gloom," O'Hara told Sky Sports, external when discussing Robinson's departure.

"It's going to be an exciting end to the season, I don't think we'll dwell on the manager. We'll miss him but we'll look forward to the opportunities we've got.

"We've got an opportunity to create real history. We've already done that this year and we want more of it.

"The priority is now to stay in the league, that overpowers anything. I'm confident we've got enough in the changing room to get us out of this mess."

The first challenge for the interim coaching team of Craig McLeish, Jamie Langfield and Allan McManus is a visit from title challengers Rangers.

"We're focused on what we can do," the midfielder added.

"It has suited us when people don't give us a chance. We'll be quietly confident we can cause an upset but Rangers are a quality side."

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St Mirren hope to welcome back Jonah Ayunga, but have a number of injury problems.

Marcus Fraser and Mika Mandron both face lengthy spells out with shoulder injuries, while Colin McMenamin and Malik Dijksteel are out with groin problems. Kion Etete is also a potential absentee.

Rangers have lost Mohamed Diomade to a minor shoulder injury, while Connor Barron (knee) and Derek Cornelius (muscle) are still out.

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St Mirren striker Jake Young is confident the players can shake off the shock departure of Stephen Robinson and deliver a strong performance against Rangers on Sunday.

Robinson and assistant Brian Kerr departed Paisley on Wednesday morning and took over at Aberdeen on Thursday.

The appointment came 10 weeks after the departure of Jimmy Thelin and well after speculation over a move north for Robinson had gone quiet.

Young said: "It was a bit of a shock regardless of that speculation and it did seem to come about quickly.

"Obviously we got through to the [Scottish] cup semi and the manager was speaking about that and moving forward and using it as a platform, so all of that still stands, but I think that shows how quickly it did come about.

"Obviously it's big news, but we have just got to remain professional and it's business as usual.

"We've got a game to prepare for Sunday, we know the situation we're in, we know we've still got a lot to play for.

"It was a bit of a shock, but we had a couple of meetings and just got back to work.

"It's just a time for all of us to come together and stick with it really, and still show what we're here to do."

Young only arrived at St Mirren in January and, after a controversial red card hindered his initial impact, the 24-year-old has scored in his past two games.

He felt he was already improving under Robinson but has plenty of optimism for the coming months, starting with Sunday's visit of Rangers, for which Craig McLeish and Jamie Langfield will act as the caretaker coaching team.

"Obviously it's not ideal," the former Stevenage player said. "Any player that gets brought in by a manager, they want to work with that manager and the short time I've had with him has been great with me, and I already feel like I'm coming on as a player.

"So yes, I'm disappointed on that front, but it's not the only reason I came to the club.

"There's obviously much more attraction than just one thing that brought me here, again starting with the game Sunday against Rangers, you're on TV, we've got a semi-final, there's a lot of other things that I'm here for."

Andrew Christie
Fan writer

The last time I wrote here, I was covering a fairly comfortable Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Partick Thistle and trying to articulate what it felt like to be going back to Hampden for the third time this season.

Good problems. Nice problems. Problems I'll happily present in a breezy, "aren't St Mirren a laugh?" column format.

Three days later, however, Stephen Robinson has departed St Mirren to become Aberdeen's new manager. The good problems are still there. They just have unwelcome company now.

Before anything else gets said about timing or league positions, it is worth being clear about what he actually was for this football club.

Three consecutive top-six finishes - the first time in four decades St Mirren had managed that. European football for the first time since 1987.

And December of last year, when he took this club to Hampden to beat Celtic 3-1 and win the League Cup. He is, without serious argument, one of the greatest managers St Mirren have ever had. That is his legacy and it is a remarkable one.

The timing, though. It stings. St Mirren sit 10th, three points above the relegation play-off spot, with one league win in 13 and injuries accumulating. Robinson spent months asking publicly for a reaction from his players and not quite getting one.

Craig McLeish, Jamie Langfield and Allan McManus take charge on an interim basis while the club finds a permanent replacement. They know this squad, they know this club, and they deserve the full support of everyone connected with it.

Robinson's destination raises its own questions, though none of them are really St Mirren's to answer. The more immediately relevant detail is Aberdeen sit one place and five points above St Mirren in the league.

I've already requested annual leave for the week leading up to when the two clubs meet at the SMiSA on 4 April, just so I can properly enjoy the "can we boo him or not?" discourse.

Robinson, for his part, has waited years for an opportunity like this. When it came, he took it. That is how football works and anyone who has spent long enough following a club of our stature understands it.

The feelings are complicated - they are allowed to be complicated - but they do not diminish what he gave this club.

What Robinson leaves behind still matters. St Mirren are in the Scottish Cup semi-finals against Celtic. We are League Cup holders. We are a club that spent four years learning it does not need to be afraid of anyone in this division. That does not go with him.

For now though, all sentiment needs parked. There is a relegation battle to win and a trip to Hampden to look forward to. For a season that has caused so much stress, it still has a remarkable amount to offer.

Andrew Christie can be found at Misery Hunters, external

Former Rangers and Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam has thrown his hat in the ring for the vacant St Mirren manager's job (Daily Record, external)

Friday's Scottish gossip

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St Mirren CEO Keith Lasley says the process to appoint a new manager is under way but stresses the club will take their time to find the right candidate.

Craig McLeish and Jamie Langfield will lead the team on an interim basis following Stephen Robinson's move to Aberdeen but Lasley is hopeful of a permanent successor being appointed sooner rather than later.

"That's kicked off already," Lasley said of the hunt for a new manager.

"These things move quickly, we will look to move as quickly as we can to appoint the next permanent manager but we also want to give ourselves the time to make sure that process is thorough and includes what it needs to to make sure it's the right appointment."

The Buddies are 10th in the Premiership, three points above Kilmarnock and 10 clear of Livingston at the bottom.

While league form has been poor, the League Cup winners could still complete a domestic double with a Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic on the horizon.

And Lasley stresses the club are keen to have their new man in the door to help them end this season on a high.

"We need someone to come in and have an immediate impact," he added.

"Help us get the results we require in the league and also the excitement around the semi-final, somebody who would come in and relish that challenge and take that on.

"Longer term we want somebody that's going to drive the club forward. It's really important we make sure this appointment is the right one for the long term, take on the fantastic work that has been done to move the club on to another exciting period.

"At this early stage nothing has been ruled out. As the process moves forward we will consider who we feel is the best candidate.

"We've got a set of criteria we think is really important for us to move forward as a club. That will remain private but it's the right person we're looking for and we'll make sure we look at all avenues.

"We're not going to put a strict timeline on it at the moment. The interim team will take the game on Sunday, we will look to update supporters and staff as we go.

"It goes without saying we want to make the appointment as quickly as we can because we are aware there is an immediate challenge."

We asked for your views on Stephen Robinson's departure from St Mirren to Aberdeen and who should replace him.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: I am pretty gutted but knew the day would eventually come. Three top-six finishes, European football and a cup probably make him our best ever manager and he should never have to buy a pint if he visits Paisley again. We moved quickly to get Robinson when Jim Goodwin left, I would like us to do the same again and get Neil Lennon. His experience should be enough to keep us safe, and I could see him winning us the cup. Taking a manager with less experience would worry me, although the Arbroath co-managers and Gary Naysmith at Stenhousemuir could be okay.

Jordan: Two words… Craig Levein.

Pauline: While I thank him for everything he has done for us at St Mirren, I think he has sold himself short. He won't get the time at Aberdeen to get silverware. He only has to look at Jimmy Thelin who won them a cup, got them to Europe, and when the going got tough they showed him the door.

Panther: My feelings are split. My mind is saying the move to Aberdeen is a huge opportunity for career progression, plus bigger bank balance, facilities, and a bigger wage. However, I feel disappointed he has left so soon for a team that are in a similar league position while we are languishing in the league and have an important cup game coming up. I can only say thanks Stephen, but also how could you?

Alex: Would have been better to announce now he was going to Aberdeen at end of season rather than immediately. There is unfinished business, a cup semi-final coming up and just a few more matches to see St Mirren safe from relegation.

Andy: He did a great job for the Buddies, good luck to him in the future.

Andy Coyle
BBC Sport Scotland

St Mirren goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield has been speaking to the media after being named as part of the interim management team following Stephen Robinson's departure to Aberdeen.

Here are the main points:

• Langfield wishes Robinson all the best in his new role and says it was "always going to happen at some point". He says the Northern Irishman deserves the opportunity at a bigger club after a "sensational" four years in Paisley with "phenomenal" achievements.

• He says Robinson will "do an incredible job" at Aberdeen. Langfield believes the Northern Irishman is the best coach he's worked with and his man-management and other skills make him a "top, top coach" who is up there with the best.

• Langfield, who filled a similar interim role after Jim Goodwin's departure in 2022, says he and Craig McLeish have been told they will take the team because the board want continuity, and that the two will work well together. McLeish will oversee the "on-pitch and tactical" side and Langfield is the "jovial one". He says they are in place until told otherwise.

• Langfield believes the players are capable of turning things around and "can beat anyone on their day" despite a bad run of "unfortunate" results and a little luck can change things. He says the team will "be up for it" when Rangers visit on Sunday.

• He doesn't anticipate making big changes, with the focus more on continuity and boosting confidence with "maybe little tweaks here and there".

• Looking ahead to Rangers he says plenty of teams don't like visiting St Mirren Park and he wants to continue that. He expects Rangers to be hurting after their Old Firm defeat and says it is "set up for a good clash and a difficult game".

Watch the action from Stephen Robinson's final game as St Mirren manager - a 2-1 win over Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup quarter-final to set up a Hampden semi-final against Celtic next month.

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St Mirren have expressed their gratitude to manager Stephen Robinson as he departs the club to join Aberdeen.

During his four years in charge in Paisley, Robinson guided St Mirren to top-six finishes three years in a row and returned the side to the European stage for the first time in 37 years.

The 51-year-old will also be fondly remembered for this season's League Cup success after his side beat Celtic at Hampden in December.

"I would like to place on record the club's sincere thanks to Stephen Robinson for his tremendous contributions during his time as our manager," chairman John Needham said.

"While we are sad to see Stephen leave the club, he departs with the best wishes of everyone at St Mirren after four years of outstanding service.

"Stephen will rightfully go down as one of St Mirren's greatest-ever managers. Our European nights against Valur FC and SK Brann will live long in the memory, as will December's Premier Sports Cup victory over Celtic at Hampden Park."

CEO Keith Lasley added: "While we are naturally disappointed to see Stephen move on, we respect his desire to take on a new challenge.

"Stephen has served the club with tremendous drive and determination over his four years in charge and delivered phenomenal success to St Mirren.

"Craig McLeish, Jamie Langfield and Allan McManus will head up our interim team and ensure a smooth transition having all been involved with the first-team matters.

"Our focus is now on the process to appoint a new manager and ensuring a strong finish to the season, with much to play for in the league and a trip to Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-finals coming up next month."

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• Although Rangers have only won one of their past five league matches against St Mirren (D2 L2), that was their most recent in December (2-1).

• Rangers are unbeaten in 12 league games (W8 D4), their longest run since going 17 without defeat from November 2022 to April 2023.

• St Mirren - who have an interim coaching team in place following Stephen Robinson's move to Aberdeen - have only won one of their past 13 league games (D4 L8), a 1-0 home win over leaders Hearts in February.

• Youssef Chermiti has scored five of Rangers' past seven league goals. His five goals in his last three league games are more than he scored in his first 18 Scottish Premiership appearances beforehand (four).

• St Mirren are unbeaten in three home league games against Rangers (W1 D2), last going four without defeat against them in April 1984.

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St Mirren have confirmed Craig McLeish, Jamie Langfield and Allan McManus will lead the team on an interim basis following manager Stephen Robinson's departure to Aberdeen.

The club added: "Craig has been part of the first-team set-up in recent months following his involvement at senior level with the St Mirren youth academy for a number of years.

"He will work alongside Jamie and Allan who took interim charge of Saints prior to Stephen Robinson's appointment in 2022."

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Stephen Robinson says there was "no way" he could turn down the Aberdeen job and vowed to bring "identity and direction" to the club.

The 51-year-old Northern Irishman has ended his four-year St Mirren reign to become the Dons' new boss on a deal until summer 2029.

Robinson, who takes assistant Brian Kerr with him to Pittodrie, told the Pittodrie club's website: "When this opportunity arose, there was no way I could turn it down.

"Aberdeen has a tremendous history and there's no mistaking it is a huge club.

"The facilities and resources that will be at my disposal are excellent and more importantly, the fanbase is tremendous so I'm excited to work for a club of this size and strive to take it forward.

"I appreciate it has been a tough period for everyone, but players respond to positivity so we've got to stick together going forward.

"We will put a team out on the pitch to get the points we need to finish this season as strongly as we can.

"Aberdeen have clear ambition but it needs an identity, it needs direction and I aim to give the club that so we need everyone to get behind myself, the staff and the players."

Stephen Robinson has left St Mirren to become Aberdeen's new manager.

The 51-year-old departs Paisley after almost four years having led the club to three consecutive top-six finishes, plus this season's memorable League Cup triumph.

Buddies fans, we want to know what you make of Robinson's departure. How do you feel about your chances of survival without him? Who would you like to see replace the Northern Irishman?

Have your say on Robinson's exit here.

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With Stephen Robinson in talks over becoming Aberdeen's new manager, we've taken a look back at his near four-year spell at St Mirren.

Top-six finishes & European football

Last season, Robinson secured a third consecutive top-six finish - the first time in four decades St Mirren had achieved such a feat (they had a run of four from 1981-85).

As a result of coming fifth in the 2023-24 campaign, the Paisley men ended a 37-year wait for European football. They thumped Icelandic side Valur 4-1 last term before bowing out in the third round of Conference League qualifying when two late goals in Norway consigned the Buddies to a 4-2 aggregate defeat to SK Brann.

Historic cup win

Robinson will be remembered best, and most fondly, by St Mirren fans for this season's League Cup triumph.

The Paisley men dispatched Premiership leaders Hearts as well as Kilmarnock on penalties before thrashing high-flying Motherwell 4-1 at Hampden to set up a massive clash with Celtic.

What unfolded at the national stadium was a day no Buddies fan will ever forget. Marcus Fraser's early opener, cancelled out by Reo Hatate's leveller, was followed by a second-half Jonah Ayunga double as St Mirren won their first trophy in 12 years amid euphoric celebrations that lasted for days.

Relegation battle

This season, things haven't been so straightforward. Robinson's side have won only five of 29 league outings, a win rate of just over 17% and a points per game of 0.8.

They've scored just 23 goals and conceded almost double that number - 45.

Those results have left St Mirren 10th in the table, three points above Kilmarnock in the relegation play-off spot and 10 clear of Livingston.

Yet, despite their league struggles, the Buddies are still on still for a remarkable trophy double as they face Celtic in next month's Scottish Cup semi-final.

Robinson's overall record

The 51-year-old Northern Irishman has managed 155 league games for St Mirren since taking charge in 2022. He has won 47, drawn 37 and lost 71, giving him a win rate of 30.3% and points per game average of 1.1. His side have scored 172 goals and conceded 233.

His St Mirren win rate is better than his 22% at Morecambe (where he managed for just eight months) but not as good as his 36.5% from 137 league games with Motherwell.

We asked for your views on the prospective exit of Stephen Robinson after the St Mirren boss was granted permission to speak to Aberdeen.

Here are some of your comments:

Fraser: Absolutely gutted! Best manager we've ever had, despite this season's challenging league form. Please stay, Robbo, keep us up and deliver a cup double/Europe again!

Eddie: It's no surprise. Robinson has been looking for a way out as he must feel this is a good time for him to cash in. So much for his loyalty to the club, money talks.

John: Extraordinary. If this had happened after the League Cup win it would've been understandable. However, now? In the middle of a horrendous run in the league? Call me cynical, but this smacks of a disruptive tactic on the part of Aberdeen. As for Robbo, yes a big increase in wages and budget, but at a club that didn't have you in the top three or four candidates for the job? Good luck with that. Also, throw the St Mirren fanbase that has stood by you under the bus.

Michael: While he has undoubtedly been a success at St Mirren he has possibly let the Aberdeen focus on him earlier in the season affect his game. Now might be the right time for Robinson and St Mirren to go separate ways. Nothing lasts forever.

Alan: Think the timing is terrible but they like us are in a precarious position. Hopefully he stays until end of the season but two things as always, money talks and no one is bigger than the club.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

The imminent appointment of Stephen Robinson as Aberdeen manager will surprise many.

Not so much the appointment itself given what Robinson has achieved at St Mirren with a tiny budget compared to the riches handed to predecessor Jimmy Thelin at Pittodrie.

The timing and the process that has ultimately led to it is what has left heads being scratched.

Robinson led Saints to three top six finishes in a row, European football for the first time since 1987 and of course, the League Cup in December, just a fortnight before Thelin was sacked.

If this had happened in January few would have been taken aback, but St Mirren are now on the same trajectory as the rudderless Dons with one win in 13 Premiership games. So, why not make the move two months ago if he is the right man?

Dons sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the recruitment process and names like Uwe Rosler, Eirik Horneland and Sandro Schwarz were all linked with the job as the club's search dragged on amid the backdrop of dire results culminating in their Scottish Cup exit in Dunfermline.

How many of Pfannenstiel's targets have looked under the bonnet and thought better of it?

Chairman Dave Cormack has been a fan of Robinson for some time and has made the move to land his man but it feels panicky with interim Peter Leven looking like he had seen a ghost after full-time on Saturday.

Robinson has earned his move personally but the Pittodrie board appears to have many questions to answer about the journey they have undertaken to come up with this solution.