Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
St Mirren downed Dundee and moved third in the Scottish Premiership thanks to a first-half goal from the "infectious" Killian Phillips, and the goalscorer has made my team of the week.
He is all-action with boundless energy and enthusiasm. He has been a superb signing for St Mirren and was fully deserving of his match-winning goal against Dundee.
Image source, SNSKillian Phillips insists St Mirren would have not been able to secure three points against Dundee last year after his fifth goal of the season sealed a 1-0 win.
The 23-year-old diverted in Jonah Ayunga's low shot in the first half to give the Buddies their second Premiership win of the season and move them up to third in the table.
Phillips now hopes he can continue his scoring form as Stephen Robinson's side travel to Kilmarnock on Saturday, having won on penalties against the same opposition in the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup just two weeks prior.
"I've been unlucky the past two weeks with [Falkirk's] Scott Bain's unbelievable save and the Killie keeper's even better save but I'm delighted today," the Republic of Ireland international told club media.
"I was due a goal. Most of my goals have come away so I was delighted to finally get one in the front of the fans.
"It's a huge three points. We probably would have lost or drawn that game last year.
"You can see how much we've came on and they're the type of games we need to win if we want to be successful this year.
"We did excellent in defending set pieces, which has cost us some points. If we defended like that in some other games we would probably be higher up in the table which is mad to say when we're sitting third."
Watch Sportscene analysis as St Mirren beat Dundee to move up to third in the Scottish Premiership.
Watch all the highlights of St Mirren's 1-0 win over Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.
Image source, SNSManager Stephen Robinson is delighted with the quality in his ranks at St Mirren after they edged a 1-0 victory over Dundee while missing some key players.
Starting XI mainstay Keanu Baccus joined captain Mark O'Hara and Marcus Fraser on the injury list before the weekend.
As a result, Liam Donnelly was given his first start and joined Roland Idowu as replacements in the starting line-up.
But Robinson is hoping he can avoid more bad injury news.
"With Mark, we don't know," The Buddies boss said of his captain.
"He's had an injection. We're hopeful he could be fit or at least available for the bench against Kilmarnock [next weekend].
"Marcus is making great progress, defying the odds. Keanu is a worry. He did it right at the last kick of training with his groin. We're not expecting him to be fit next week.
"Liam Donnelly obviously had to play sooner than we wanted him to. I thought he was excellent. Secured the game for us. Ticked it over really, really well. And he's not fully fit yet, he needs minutes.
"Roland came in and replaced Mark and was terrific. So we've got a squad with like-for-like replacements at the minute. But don't have a lot of numbers so we certainly can't afford any other ones.
"We're always walking a tightrope with our squad size. But, certainly, the quality we have in it is top-class."
The victory on Saturday pushed the Buddies up to third in the top flight.
"We're enjoying the momentum," Robinson added.
"We firmly refocused on the league again after the cup.
"We've got a really difficult game away to Killie, who had a tremendous result at Dundee United, so we stay grounded. We know there are always things we can improve at.
"That's the secret to our relative success – keeping pushing, never being happy."
We asked for your views on St Mirren's 1-0 win against Dundee.
Here's what some of you said:
Iain: Thought we were in control of the game throughout but just needed another goal to make it less stressful for us fans. Lots of good performances, Killian Phillips was man of the match simply for his goal. Good to see Connor McMenamin get some game time.
Alistair: The game showed how we've built a squad with depth. We were missing key players from the last few seasons but the guys who came in will give Stephen Robinson a decision to make.
William: A deserved win and three points, Saints were top for most of the game. Let's hope this showing can continue with another show piece coming up. Please do not have the players wearing away strips at Hampden. Black and white stripes are called for. We are St Mirren!
Alan: Played reasonably well in the first half, where we probably could and should have been further ahead. The second half we were okay but we need to take our chances when they come our way because 1-0 is never comfortable.
Killian Phillips' first-half goal against Dundee secured St Mirren's second Scottish Premiership win of the season and moved Stephen Robinson's side third in the table.
Read the full match report here
Have your say on the game via this link
Image source, SNSSt Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "It was a tight game. Dundee started better than us. We started to get opportunities and gain momentum and we scored at a good time.
"We were in control of the game. We had ownership of the game without Dundee really creating a lot of chances in the second half. We're delighted with the result.
"Killian Phillips is infectious - his energy, his quality. He probably doesn't get that credit for how technically good he is. He drives us. He was the one that was leading the press. He triggers everybody else around him."
Image source, SNSSt Mirren striker Mikael Mandron will have a toe injury assessed. Captain Mark O'Hara has had an injection in a foot injury after scans and is unlikely to be involved but should be back next week, while Marcus Fraser is working his way back from an ankle injury.
Yan Dhanda is still suspended for Dundee, who have Paul Digby back in training after a calf injury. Mexico Under-20 international Cesar Garza is on international duty.
Image source, SNSThree successive top-six finishes, European football for the first time in a generation, and a trip to Hampden for the first time in four years - but what's been the key to Stephen Robinson's success at St Mirren?
The Northern Irishman reckons it is competition for every place throughout his squad that keeps his players at their best.
Saints got their first Premiership win of the season a fortnight ago against Falkirk, before their League Cup quarter-final win over Kilmarnock, and next host Dundee on Saturday afternoon.
"I've got a group of boys that I rarely need to motivate," Robinson said.
"They come here with different motivations, whether it be money, whether it's pushing a career on or lengthening their career, whatever it may be, they've all got their own individual motivations.
"So it's rare that I have to motivate them. They're motivated to be the best they can be every day in training, and the competitiveness here is incredible.
"Everybody knows they are one place away from starting.
"So the competition never dies and that's probably been the secret to our success."
The Buddies were drawn against Motherwell in the League Cup semi-finals - the Old Firm meet in the other tie - but Robinson says thoughts of reaching the final have to be put on the backburner for now.
"Both teams will think they've got an opportunity to get to the final. Motherwell will think exactly the same as us. It's nice to play against my old club as well," he said.
"So it's one we're looking forward to, but one also that we need to put at the back of our mind.
"We've got a lot of important league games coming up. We enjoyed the night, we enjoyed the celebrations, and we were back on it again on Monday fully focused and in the meantime, the league is our priority."
Image source, SNSCameron Congreve has recorded three assists in Dundee's past two league games, while an assist against St Mirren would make him only the second player aged 21 or younger to assist a goal in three successive Scottish Premiership appearances since the start of 2021-22, after 20-year-old Oluwaseun Adewumi also did so for Dundee in March/April last season – when his third match came against St Mirren.
St Mirren have lost their past two league meetings with Dundee, as many as their previous 13 against them in the Scottish Premiership beforehand (W8 D3 L2).
Having won 2-1 on their last league visit to St Mirren last December, Dundee could win back-to-back away games at the Buddies in the top flight for the first time since January 2015 (three in a row).
St Mirren have only lost one of their past 11 league games (W4 D6), a 1-0 defeat to Celtic on matchday one this season. At home, the Buddies are unbeaten in seven league matches (W3 D4) since a 5-2 loss to Celtic in March.
After their 3-2 win over Livingston, Dundee could pick up back-to-back league victories for the first time since March 2024. The Dark Blues have, though, failed to win their past 12 Scottish Premiership games that have come after a win (D3 L9), and have followed up each of their last four victories with a defeat in their next league game.
David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSBuddies I speak to really hope Aberdeen's form picks up. Sure Jimmy Thelin seems like a nice fella and all that, but I'm there are ulterior motives.
As long as his stock is low and Stephen Robinson's continues to rise, they've got reason to worry.
The Dons' Premier Sports Cup exit followed by another Premiership defeat through the week cranks up the pressure on their Scottish Cup-winning manager.
At the same time Robinson has led the Paisley Saints to a League Cup semi-final. And let's be honest here, the Dons have a habit of hiring St Mirren managers.
But those (perhaps ill-founded) fears can be easily banished to the back of the mind when there is a big date at Hampden to look forward to.
The dream draw pairs St Mirren Robinson's former employers Motherwell. A club he took to the League Cup and Scottish Cup finals in the same season.
So what's not to like?
The teams have already met this season in the league, sharing a 0-0 draw at the SMISA in the Buddies' first home game.
Given St Mirren's record in penalty shootouts this season, rattling in five out of five against Kilmarnock and Hearts (forget about the 5-3 spot-kicks loss to Arbroath) maybe a repeat of that scoreline would do nicely at the national stadium on 1 November.
St Mirren have shown they can find the net since then, some of them in the sort of style that even Chris Sutton would enjoy.
So they'll fancy their chances of beating Motherwell at Hampden, although the Steelmen will have plenty to say and do about that.
Back in 2021Jim Goodwin's St Mirren reached the last four in both cup competitions, losing to Livingston and eventual double winners St Johnstone.
Covid was rife and Hampden was empty. This time round Paisley Buddies will be there in number hoping to cheer St Mirren to victory.
I dare say some of them will want Motherwell to lose this weekend too. They are playing Aberdeen after all.
Mark Jardine
Fan writer
If, and it's a big if, there was a piece missing from Stephen Robinson's success pile at St Mirren - a deep cup run would be it.
A calling card of these past three years has been his ability to select a motivate a side for the one-offs, the big games and the decisive moments.
Beating both Celtic and Rangers, last-minute goals to secure top six, winning through or holding firm on European nights. Far more than I can remember in recent history, this is a Saints team capable of anything.
That quality had not yet shone through into domestic cup competition, admittedly often due to drawing Celtic at an early stage and suffering glorious failure.
This season, with significant evolution in the playing squad, things feel a little different. That same battling quality is there, that same connection to the stands, that same ability to rise to the big moment - but there is something else.
Mika Mandron, surely the best current Scotland-eligible forward not to have been sniffed at by Steve Clarke, is flicking the ball over defenders' heads as if he's advertising sportswear in a Brazilian airport.
Killian Phillips is, quite literally, everywhere. Jayden Richardson is plucking the ball out of the air on his chest and burying a volley that took us back to Zidane at Hampden in 2002.
And, more than that, just as it was in the previous round, the Buddies held their nerve in the tensest of situations.
Ten penalties taken in shootouts these past two ties, 10 scored. A penalty saved in each by the incredible Shamal George.
The Saints are back at Hampden, in front of fans when doing so for the first time in a long while. Count them out at your peril.
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson's personality and work ethic is on full display in how his St Mirren team play, according to former Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan.
The Northern Irish manager has guided the Buddies to three successive top-six finishes in Scotland's top flight on one of the league's smaller budgets.
His side beat Kilmarnock on penalties on Friday to reach the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, where Sheridan says they combined grit with some eye-catching football.
"Everything about Stephen Robinson, you can see in how his team plays and how the players play for him," Sheridan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"Having seen him up close on the sideline, he's really animated and involved in everything - you can see that in how his players play.
"He is St Mirren at the minute. There's no superstars, just a hard-working team that I imagine other teams hate playing against.
"It was nice to see them scored some nice, attractive goals against Kilmarnock as well."
We asked for your thoughts after St Mirren sealed a semi-final spot in the Premier Sports Cup with a penalty shootout victory at Kilmarnock.
Here's what you had to say:
Kev: It's a fantastic achievement, and reinforces my belief in our manager's ability to build a team that plays with a togetherness that can overcome the challenges of the season and inspire them to succeed.
Davy: Excellent result and a professional performance at a ground we often struggle at. We seem to be getting better every game.
Alistair: I thought that was a great game of football, both teams had a go and it was a shame it had to be decided by penalties. So happy the Saints got what they deserved. Certain pundits wouldn't pay to watch us but over 2,000 travelled and had a ball. Hampden here we come.
Marcelo: I am by no means surprised. Stephen Robinson is a terrific manager and delivers an outstanding job with a brave teams that has no fears, and the outcome just could be achieving Hampden. With a little bit luck, silverware is feasible.
Alan: Great game and our goals were first class. The atmosphere from the fans was amazing, can't wait till the semis now as we fear no one.
A flawless penalty shootout performance helped St Mirren secure a Premier Sports Cup semi-final as they edged past a stubborn Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Malik Dijksteel, who scored the winning spot-kick in the previous round against Hearts, converted from 12 yards after Kyle Magennis missed for the hosts.
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "It's probably the one thing we haven't managed to do since we came to the club.
"The first 30 minutes we were brilliant and I thought we controlled large parts of the game.
"We got done by a wide free-kick and a penalty, which the boys don't think it was. We seem to do it the hard way - certainly not good for the nerves.
"Incredible because we don't practice [penalties]. It takes a mentality and a bit of luck. We expect Shamal to save at least one penalty.
"You see the crowd that turned out tonight - fantastic support and the players give them everything. It's a togetherness at the football club that's driving it.
"I've never enjoyed getting to Hampden and losing. I've won the two semi-finals I've got to - hopefully that's a good omen.
"Our record against the top six teams has been incredible. We deserved to win tonight against a good Killie side. We'll enjoy the moment and refocus again on Monday."
David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, GettyPlayers are usually falling over themselves to swap shirts with Lionel Messi after playing against the Argentina legend.
St Mirren defender Richard King faced the great man twice earlier this year - but had no interest in picking up a Messi memento.
King's former club, the Jamaican league winners Cavalier, played Inter Miami in the last 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup in the spring but lost both legs 2-0.
"That was really nice, you know, Messi, [Luis] Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, some big names, some legends, that was a good game," King, 23, said.
"I didn't get any shirts. I didn't want them, to be honest, because we could have won. I was kind of vexed.
"With Messi and all the stuff you see on TV, how he plays, how he moves on the pitch, it's the same and it's really difficult to get near him."
A few months after meeting Messi in Miami, King was on his way to play in Paisley despite links with clubs around the world.
"I'd had the chance to sign him before that," Buddies manager Stephen Robinson said.
"But we were in a little bit of a sticky run around about Christmas time, and we decided to just keep monitoring the situation. We were very lucky because I believe there was a large bid turned down from an MLS club in January last year.
"We managed to get him for buttons further down the line. We believe we've got a real, real find, a really top talent."
Robinson believes that as well as making his mark in the Premiership, the composed defender could cut a dash on the world stage next year.
"There's a good chance he'll probably end up going to the World Cup as well with Jamaica. They've had a fantastic run under Steve McClaren. We hope that he will continue progressing," said Robinson.
Playing at the finals in North America 2026 is a big motivation for King, who has become a regular for Jamaica under McClaren.
"We're in the final group stages of qualifying and we've won our first two games, so it's a good start to the campaign," King added.
"We win our next two games, we'll be heading to the World Cup for sure.
"Playing there is a really big incentive. It would be the second World Cup finals in our history, the first one was in 1998, so it will be really massive for our country as well."
David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson has revealed he's become a Rugby Park regular recently - and so has his wife.
Never mind a leisurely Sunday lunch or romantic walks in the countryside. The Robinsons have been on reconnaissance missions with a future date at Hampden in mind.
Robinson's St Mirren play Kilmarnock in the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup on Saturday, and the hosts have been well scouted as the Buddies seek just a second win at Rugby Park since 2013.
"I've watched a lot of Killie. It's my local team, so I get to see them. I've dragged my wife along every Sunday to watch them lately," said Robinson.
"They've got some very, very good players. They have a lot of physicality on the team, but also a mix of really talented boys as well. It would be nice to get one over on them.
"We go there confident after our start to the league season but it's a tough game. It's an opportunity for both sides."
Robinson wants to reward the Saints support by securing a semi-final trip to Hampden.
He added: "I've said to the players, sometimes these opportunities sometimes come around once in a career, so you have to grab these opportunities.
"It can bring the whole town together. It can really lift people's spirits, people rely on this football club. A lot of times it's their life and what they cling on to. So we'll be doing everything in our power to make sure we're in that semi-final.
"You see the display the fans put on last Saturday in the league match away at Falkirk and what they've done during the season, the amount of effort and time and money that's spent on it. You'd love to reward them.
"We feel like we've earned this opportunity because it's been a long time in the making. We started right at the early rounds and had some really good performances."
David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before St Mirren's trip to face Kilmarnock in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals on Friday night.
Robinson wants to "reward" Saints fans by securing a spot at Hampden: "As I've said to the players, sometimes these opportunities come around once in a career. So you have to grab these opportunities. You have to go and be brave and play to your strengths. We want to progress in any way possible."
He says reaching a semi-final can bring the whole town together and lift people's spirits.
Robinson says winning semi-finals with Motherwell at Hampden against Rangers and Aberdeen were among the "best days of my career".
St Mirren go to Rugby Park confident after beating Falkirk for a first Premiership win of the season, but will have be "at the top of their game" in a tough tie.
Defender Marcus Fraser's ankle injury isn't as bad as first feared. He's had a scan and will miss Friday's game, while the full extent of the injury should be discovered today.
Robinson believes the Buddies have made a "real find" in Jamaica defender and "top talent" Richard King, who has a good chance of playing in the World Cup next year after being signed for "buttons" in the summer.
On Chris Sutton's criticism of his team's playing style: "I don't actually care. I'm fairly confident in what I do. You don't get 400 league games if you don't know what you're doing. Everyone's entitled to their opinion."
Robinson agrees with Stuart Kettlewell on the controversial penalty awarded against Killie at the weekend for handball and says the rule is "a little bit confusing", adding: "We did get told that things like that probably wouldn't be penalties."
