St Mirren

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jack Walton (Dundee United): Five saves and a clean sheet - job done.

Felix Passlack (Hibernian): An assist from the consistently impressive German.

Bert Esselink (Dundee United): Powerful performance and an away clean sheet.

Grant Hanley (Hibernian): Was it intentional? Who cares. Great assist for Martin Boyle.

Will Ferry (Dundee United): Glorious strike with his less favoured right foot as United put Kilmarnock to the sword.

Callum Wright (Hibernian): Another goal for the English midfielder just gives him the nod here over new addition Jacob Devaney, who was also very good.

Emmanuel Agyei (Dundee United): Two key passes and a goal from the Ghana international.

Alex Lowry (Motherwell): Five key passes and always looking to get Motherwell on the front foot.

Samuel Ramos (St Mirren): A goal and two assists from the Spaniard.

Camilo Duran (Celtic): The difference maker against Falkirk with two goals.

Mehdi Merghem (Dundee United): The Algerian more than played his part in an outstanding away display with two assists.

We asked for your views after St Mirren played out a thrilling six-goal Scottish Premiership draw with Motherwell.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Douglas: If this is how the season is going to unfold, then the team are going to take us to the highs and lows of excitement! There is a lot to like about this team and, given Motherwell have been given lots of plaudits for their style and fluency, I think we matched them extremely well.

Stuart: My pre-season nerves have been dispelled. Craig McLeish has a vision and the players are fully buying into it. We will be entertaining to watch and will have no relegation fears. Recruitment has been good.

John: In the second half, I thought the Buddies were excellent. They played Motherwell at their own game, playing with pace, but just lacking the finish to seal the three points. Two points dropped? A point gained? No idea, but it was brilliant entertainment.

Andy: Unlucky not to win the game, but overall a great performance by St Mirren. New signings look like they will bring a different dynamic to the team from last season and overall I'm a happy Saints supporter. Good start to the season.

Ian: One of the most entertaining football matches I have been to and a significantly better performance than the 0-5 defeat to Motherwell last season.

St Mirren striker Jake Young is set for a move to Australia to join Perth Glory. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

Debutant Jardell Kanga's incredible last-minute goal rescued a Scottish Premiership point for Motherwell in a six-goal thriller against St Mirren.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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St Mirren manager Craig McLeish: "It's a sore one because Motherwell scored so late but I think it shows how far we've come as a group that we're disappointed with that in the end and the way Motherwell celebrated a draw here shows how far we've come, how good we've been.

"We didn't help ourselves early on when we were two goals down. We got punished with top quality finishes but I thought throughout the game we did some really good stuff. We're creating chances, we're playing with bravery and aggression. The players are running themselves into the ground, leaving everything out there. Disappointed with a point is probably a good place to be in our journey.

"At 2-0 down I felt like we were playing well enough, I never felt the game had got away from us. I thought we disrupted what Motherwell were trying to do. They're going to cut you open at times but I thought we coped with it well and took the game to them.

"I think if we play like that, and show that level of quality and energy throughout the season we can go and achieve something as a group.

"We're not here to survive, we're not here to make up the numbers, we're here to finish as high up the table as we can. We know what we've got in that changing room, we've got the belief within ourselves and we have to just keep building on it."

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Defender Louis Jackson has joined St Mirren from Manchester United on a two-year deal, with the option of another year.

The 20-year-old was born in Oldham but, through family, has represented Scotland at age-grade level, most recently for the under-19s.

At senior club level, he featured eight times on loan at Solihull Moors last season, scoring once.

And Jackson has been listed on the bench for St Mirren's Sunday Scottish Premiership match at home to Hibernian (15:00).

"After I spoke to the manager, he told me about his philosophy and the direction that the club's going now in terms of trying to develop young players and giving us the opportunities, which I've seen him do since the start of the season," Jackson said of St Mirren boss Craig McLeish. "Hopefully I can be next.

"I'm buzzing to get going. Can't wait to see all the fans at the weekend and yeah, hopefully we can get a good run going.

"I just feel like now is the perfect time for me to move on permanently, for me to kick on with my career. I hope I can show people what I can do."

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St Mirren have signed striker Nikolas Agrafiotis from German third-tier club Wehen Wiesbaden for an undisclosed fee, saying he adds an aerial threat and physical presence to their squad.

And the 26-year-old, who has signed a three-year contract, could make his debut against Motherwell on Sunday in the Scottish Premiership.

St Mirren manager Craig McLeish told his club website: "We've done a lot of work over the summer on adding another striker.

"We've taken our time with it, we've been patient with it. He gives us a different type of profile at the top end than what we've got."

Born in the Netherlands, Agrafiotis came through the youth ranks with Vitesse, and represented Serbia at youth level, before making his senior debut with Dordrecht.

He moved on to Excelsior, with whom he suffered relegation from the Dutch top flight but then helped them win promotion back to the Eredivisie before joining Wehen Wiesbaden in January 2024.

Agrafiotis made 12 appearances in his first half season, including their two relegation play-off matches, but was unable to prevent them dropping out of Germany's second tier.

He scored 10 goals in 39 appearances last season, 22 as a substitute, as his side finished ninth in the 3.Liga.

"He gives us an aerial threat as well and a physical profile," McLeish explained. "He comes with a lot of experience having played top tier in Holland and played in the second tier in Germany at a really good level.

"He's still at a really good age as well where he can go and progress his career to a higher level again and we're hoping to help him do that."

Wehen Wiesbaden sporting director Uwe Stover wished Agrafiotis success in Scotland after his 18 goals and three assists in his 86 appearances for his club.

"He made a particularly important contribution to our success in the Hesse Cup with crucial goals," he told his club website. "His four goals in this competition were instrumental in our two Hesse Cup wins and our qualification for the DFB Cup on both occasions."

St Mirren have struck a deal to sign striker Niko Agrafiotis from German third-tier outfit Wehen Wiesbaden and the 26-year-old is set to make his debut against Motherwell on Sunday after passing a medical. (Scottish Sun, external)

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Calvin Ramsay comes into contention after signing for St Mirren on loan from Liverpool. Liam Donnelly had a scan on an abductor injury which will probably keep him out until the international break, while Malik Dijksteel (hamstring) had a setback. On-loan Rangers midfielder Paul Nsio returns after missing the defeat at Ibrox.

Motherwell have Eythor Bjorgolfsson, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Dylan Williams and Tom Sparrow back which leaves Paul McGinn, Callum Hendry (both knee) and Jordan McGhee (hamstring) on the injury list.

• St Mirren are winless in eight Scottish Premiership games against Motherwell (losing four of them) since a 1-0 victory in September 2023.

• Motherwell have won their past two league meetings with St Mirren, last winning three in a row against the Buddies in April 2015.

• St Mirren have won both of their two Premiership games in 2026-27 but have not won three in a row at any stage in the division since December 2024.

• Motherwell have won their past two away league outings, including their first this season 2-1 against Hibernian. The Steelmen last won three in a row on the road in April 2024.

• Midfielder Killian Phillips has scored in three successive Premiership appearances (four goals), including three goals in two games so far this season. The last St Mirren player to score in four consecutive top-flight appearances was Andy Dorman in April 2009.

Nottingham Forest are set to bid for 16-year-old St Mirren forward Luke Douglas. (Daily Record, external)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Craig McLeish has confirmed St Mirren are closing in on a deal to bring Manchester United youngster Louis Jackson to the club.

The 20-year-old centre-back came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford and has played for Scotland Under-19s.

A three-year deal is on the table for Jackson, who spent last season on loan at National League side Solihull Moors.

"Louis is a player that we really like and we're in discussions with him," said manager McLeish.

"We're probably at the final stages of working out things because he is still contracted at Manchester United, he is working how that looks to end his contract with Manchester United and then finalise one with ourselves.

"Hopefully I'll get an update today but he's one that we are in discussions with and we would like to add.

"He's a Scotland Under-19 international, he should be in and around the Scotland Under-21 conversations as well.

"It follows our model of bringing in a younger-profile player and young Scottish players that we can develop for the national team as well.

"And it's a long-term option for us at centre-back and one that if we can get it done, we'd be delighted with, but it's not quite there yet.

"It would be permanent move. I think it's a three-year contract that's on the table for him which is the reason why we would do it.

"We are hoping to [add further] but it might depend on people going out to make room for that."

The Buddies also secured the loan signing of former Aberdeen defender Calvin Ramsay from Liverpool on Tuesday.

McLeish said: "Yeah, delighted. He's a player that's normally well out of our reach.

"It's a matter of circumstance that we can get him here. He's coming into the last year of his contract at Liverpool, he needs a place to play and a platform to showcase what got him into Liverpool in the first place."

St Mirren have banked a healthy sum after former defender Miguel Freckleton reached the Champions League with LASK. (Daily Record, external)

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Scotland midfielder John McGinn says his grounding at St Mirren has enormously helped him as Aston Villa captain.

McGinn came through the academy in Paisley before breaking into the first team, where he won the League Cup in the 2012-13 season and made almost 100 appearances.

Three years at Hibs followed before a move to Villa in 2018, establishing himself as a crucial player in the Premier League.

McGinn, 31, became Villa captain in 2022 and led the club to Europa League success last season.

"It was a great place to learn," he said, speaking on The Overlap podcast., external

"I learned a lot of things that help me now as a captain - it's a really grounded club, disciplined.

"We were probably the last of the real apprenticeships. I would play and then have to litter pick after the game. Looking back now, it was the best thing that ever happened because it kept your feet on the ground.

"Tommy Craig gave me a chance when probably not many managers would have believed in me."

Reflecting on the start to his professional career, McGinn said: "A few injuries happened and I managed to break through.

"I remember playing against [Celtic's Victor Wanyama], my fifth start, at Hampden, absolutely bricking it. That was when I realised I was ready to play against these players."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United youngsters James Overy and Louis Jackson are on the brink of leaving the club.

Overy is close to returning to Australia with A League outfit Sydney FC, while Jackson is in talks with Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.

Eighteen-year-old Overy was born in Perth, played for Australia at last season's Under-20 World Cup and received his first senior international call-up in November.

He joined United in 2024 and featured at Under-21 level last term. He was also part of the FA Youth Cup final squad beaten by Manchester City in May.

However, Overy was a notable absentee when United opened their Premier League 2 campaign with a 5-0 victory against Ipswich at Leigh on 24 August.

Jackson will have a medical with St Mirren on Thursday before completing his move.

The 20-year-old Oldham-born defender is a Scottish youth international and was part of United's 2022 FA Youth Cup-winning side.

He spent part of last season on loan with National League side Solihull Moors.

It is understood both deals will include sell-on and buy-back clauses.

Mark Jardine
Fan writer

With a week or so to go in the summer transfer window, Craig McLeish and new head of recruitment Gavin Miller still appear to have some shopping to do.

Right-back Calvin Ramsay, announced on Tuesday morning, gets us moving.

In Eseosa Sule and Ryan Carr, Miller has already shown a willingness to delve into a pool of talent where most game-time has come in development football - and Ramsay, once so promising when starring at Pittodrie, moving to Anfield and earning a full Scotland cap, has a point to prove.

Where does this leave the Saints squad; their need list, want list and wantaway list?

Needs are few. A left-sided centre-half with something approaching the pace and composure of Miguel Freckleton feels like a non-negotiable. Further depth up front to lessen the heavy burden on Sule, likewise.

Wants will always be a long list for some, thirsty for transfer gossip and scarf-raising gratification. The Saints, setting up as they have, could probably do with some more quality in wide areas.

Should Killian Phillips move on, a replacement in his advanced box-crashing role would be prudent - though this space might well be intended for Samuel Ramos, leaving another gap further back (or out wide) to be filled.

Is Ryan Mullen fit again and expected to be back-up? Will this responsibility continue to fall on future testimonial recipient Peter Urminsky, or are there other plans to support Jacob Chapman?

In order for these things to happen, we have likely arrived at a point where space must first be made - bringing us to wantaways.

Roland Idowu has departed for Romanian football, following Dan Nlundulu's path away from Paisley.

Idowu, the mercurial Irishman with talent that never quite cemented the star status he seemed capable of, leaves with some real moments of quality and historical importance to cherish - but also the question of what else could have been?

Jake Young, though praised for his effort and improvement under a manager that didn't sign him and has rarely selected him, still feels close to the exit door.

Malik Dijksteel and Jalmaro Calvin, both purchased as opposed to merely being signed, have had limited opportunities to capture the attention of both Stephen Robinson and Craig McLeish - and neither look to have forced their way into regular contention.

Richard King, at times undroppable, at times unpickable, is a player of obvious quality who just seems to be missing a required piece that would have him as first name on the teamsheet.

For a man with 40 Jamaica caps before his 25th birthday, you'd assume he'll too be seeking first-team football elsewhere before long.

In any case, this week and into next will surely be busy for gossip writers, half-canned podcasters and the demanding social media masses. After all, isn't that what it's really all about?

Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters, external

Aberdeen have moved onto different midfield targets after being priced out of a deal for St Mirren's Killian Phillips. (Press and Journal), external

Belgian club Kortrijk have also made contact with the Buddies over their Republic of Ireland international. (Press and Journal), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

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Scotland cap Calvin Ramsay is eager to "rebuild myself" at St Mirren after joining on a season-long loan from Liverpool.

The 23-year-old right-back moved to Liverpool from Aberdeen for £4.1m four years ago but has played just four first-team matches for the Anfield side.

Loan spells at Preston, Bolton, Wigan and Kilmarnock have brought a further 26 appearances.

"I know the league and I wanted to come back up here and try and show what I can do and rebuild myself again," said Ramsay.

"I feel like it's a good place to come. I want to try and perform, work as hard as I can and see where that takes me.

"It's probably a different St Mirren compared to the last few years. That'll suit me. I'm comfortable on the ball, I'm composed, I like to get on it and try and create things and make things happen."

The "exceptional" full-back, whose solitary Scotland cap came in 2022, adds a "different dynamic" to the St Mirren squad, says manager Craig McLeish.

"It's a really important year for Calvin where he needs to find regular football to help kick on his career and we're happy to give him that platform because we get an exceptional young player to add to our group," he said.

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St Mirren have sold Roland Idowu to Romanian top-flight club Botosani for an undisclosed fee in a deal that includes a sell-on clause.

The Irish midfielder, 24, departs after 80 appearances and eight goals for the Paisley club.

Idowu initially spent a season on loan at St Mirren from Shrewsbury before making the move permanent on a two-year deal last summer.

"We sincerely thank Roland for his contributions during his time at the club and wish him the best of luck for the future," said St Mirren.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United youngster Jacob Devaney is in talks with Hibernian over a loan move back to the Scottish Premiership.

Devaney was captain of United's Premier League 2 side for the first half of last season, before moving to St Mirren for his first extended stint in senior football.

The 19-year-old impressed in his time at the club, making 18 appearances, including 16 starts.

Devaney returned to United for pre-season and featured in the first two matches, against Wrexham and Norwegian side Rosenborg, scoring in the latter, despite appearing in central defence rather than his preferred midfield role.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international said this summer his main aim was to play first-team football for United, but accepted he may have to spend the season on loan to gain further experience.

It is understood there has been huge interest in Devaney. Talks with Hibs have reached an advanced stage, although the deal is not done.

Hibs drew 0-0 with Belgian side Gent in the away leg of their Conference League play-off last night. The Edinburgh club are bidding to reach the league phase of a European competition for the first time.

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St Mirren have agreed to sign Liverpool's Scottish right-back Calvin Ramsay, 23 on a season-long loan. (Sun, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip