St Mirren

St Mirren took the lead early at Rugby Park, and equalised early in the second half, but two late goals sent them to a dispiriting Scottish Premiership defeat.

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "If you concede four goals you're not going to win games of football. If you score three goals you should win the game, never mind take a point.

"The defending was really, really poor. They didn't have to work for any of the four goals and that's the frustrating bit.

"If people score very good goals against you, then that's fine. The first one we don't defend the back post properly and fill gaps. The second one we got outmuscled. The next two are long balls over our defence and we don't deal with runners.

"I thought we showed a good reaction second half, changed the shape and got back into it. But we got undone.

"At the moment when we lose a goal we seem to lose another straight after. We have to work hard to fix that.

"We said a victory would make us well clear [of relegation trouble]. We're not well clear now.

"We have to find a way. We need to get back on another run as soon as we possibly can.

"There's no time to feel sorry for yourself. We'll go through all the goals Sometimes when people score against you it's not tactical and it's an individual who needs to do better.

"There's lots of games and lots of points to play for, and we have to dig in."

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• Kilmarnock have lost just one of their past 13 Scottish Premiership games against St Mirren (W6 D6), a 5-1 defeat in March 2025.

• St Mirren remain winless in 13 top-flight visits to Kilmarnock (D4 L9) since a 3-1 victory in May 2013 under Danny Lennon.

• Although Kilmarnock have only won one of their past 18 league games (D4 L13), that was their last one played at home, beating Aberdeen 3-0 in January.

• Only Livingston (four) have fewer away points in the Premiership this season than St Mirren (six), who are winless in eight league matches on their travels (D2 L6) since beating Falkirk 2-1 in September.

• Only against Ross County (eight) and Dundee (seven) has Bruce Anderson scored more Premiership goals than he has versus St Mirren (six), netting three times in four games against the Buddies for Kilmarnock.

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Stephen Robinson aims to keep St Mirren's "positivity" building with victory at Kilmarnock.

The Saints have gone five matches unbeaten and can put nine points between themselves and 11th-placed Killie by winning on Wednesday night.

"We're five unbeaten now, we've had a brilliant result against Hearts, we found a way to win against Airdrie, one of the hardest ties in the round," said Robinson.

"We go there believing that we can win, believing that we can get a result.

"We've won three out of the last five and progressed in cup competitions. Previously, we couldn't buy a win before, although we were playing really well.

"We haven't quite hit the heights of that yet, but we've ground results out. We've managed to win games. We've been defending well when we need to.

"Without being right at the very top of our game, we've managed to go on that run, five games unbeaten. We want to continue that. We want to keep that positivity going.

"We're in a quarter-final of a cup and, you look at the bigger picture, there's players coming back which will make us stronger. So we go into the game very positive."

Although Robinson is getting some players back, winger Malik Dijksteel looks set for a lay-off with the groin injury he suffered at Airdrie.

"We're waiting on scan results for him," Robinson said. "It doesn't look good, probably even a little bit worse than we thought. We feel he's got some sort of tear in there."

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Kilmarnock left-back Dom Thompson is suspended. Jamie Brandon and Max Stryjek are pushing for comebacks while Kyle Magennis (knee), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) remain out.

St Mirren forward Jake Young is suspended and also nursing an ankle knock while Malik Dijksteel drops out with a groin injury.

Mark O'Hara and Jonah Ayunga have returned to training but are unlikely to feature while Keanu Baccus is awaiting the green light to join them.

Andrew Christie
Fan writer

They say don't fall in love with a loan player.

Here for a matter of weeks or months and then gone. They move on to bigger clubs, better leagues, and we become a footnote in their Wikipedia page.

Then one day you're seven pints deep at a wedding and someone you've been seated next to against your will says magic words like "James Maddison, Aberdeen", "Jay Rodriguez, Stirling Albion" or "Kasper Schmeichel, Falkirk" that sets you off. We all have our examples.

Don't fall in love with a loan player. Sound advice, of course. But frankly there aren't enough Barry from Eastenders "we're gonna do it anyway" gifs for how much I'm going to enjoy Jacob Devaney's time at St Mirren.

The 18-year-old Manchester United and Republic of Ireland Under-21 midfielder arrived in Paisley on deadline day and made his debut 24 hours later against league leaders Hearts.

Man of the match in a 1-0 win. Seventy minutes of composure, maturity and the kind of calmness that suggested he'd been here for months rather than a single Tuesday afternoon. Passing accurately, winning his battles, pressing intelligently. And earning the foul that got Craig Halkett sent off - not a bad first impression.

Then came Friday's cup tie at Airdrie. Nineteenth minute, Mikael Mandron flicks it round the corner, and Devaney curls it into the top corner like he's been doing this his whole life.

The kind of finish that immediately sends social media to the Paul Scholes comparison well. Beautiful technique. We won 2-1 in extra time and he was the story again - partly because that goal was genuinely brilliant, partly because the rest of the game was absolutely dire.

The reality is, he'll go back to Man United in the summer and every indication points to him having a career there. Michael Carrick values youth - we've seen it with Shea Lacey, Ayden Heaven, multiple Fletchers. And Devaney is exactly what United need.

A midfielder who doesn't panic, who receives the ball in tight spaces and plays his way out. Six months in Scottish football will give him that education - physical battles, hostile crowds, teams who'll switch from kicking you to pressing you to playing through you at the flip of a switch.

That's for later, though. Right now he's in the black and white of St Mirren. Quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup to look forward to. A league table to start climbing. Every week he's here is another week we get to watch what he brings.

Which means in 10 years' time we'll all be in the replies to Man United tweets being weird about his time in Paisley. Insisting he learned it all here. Replying to every career milestone with "well actually...". The "bring him home" pleas as he enters the twilight of his career. We'll be those fans. The ones who won't shut up about six months in 2026.

For now though, we'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Andrew Christie can be found at Misery Hunters, external

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For fans of Aberdeen, Dundee United, Falkirk, Motherwell, and St Mirren, the Scottish Cup draw went about as well as it could have done.

They all avoided the Old Firm at the quarter-final stage and, while games against Falkirk and Motherwell have been no easy feat this season, there is a real sense it could be anyone's year.

For fans of Rangers or Celtic, who face each other at Ibrox in the next round, a route to glory is also clear. Beat your biggest rivals in a one-off game, and you become favourites for the Cup.

"What I'm so excited about is the fact any Premiership team can win it," said Craig Telfer, podcast host and Stenhousemuir fan.

While his beloved Stenny side were beaten by their local rivals on Sunday night, he admitted: "Falkirk could actually see themselves winning. Aberdeen or Motherwell, whoever comes out that, can see themselves winning it.

"You've got a Celtic team that aren't particularly good, and while Rangers are getting better, they can be got at. This is wide open for any Premiership team to go and win it."

Dundee United have beaten Celtic this season, as have Motherwell, while St Mirren famously triumphed against them at Hampden in the League Cup final.

St Mirren and Motherwell have also taken points off Rangers, as have Falkirk and Dundee United.

It is only Aberdeen who have been beaten by the Old Firm at every opportunity, but memories of last year's Cup triumph over Celtic will spur them on.

"[As a non-Old Firm fan] you always want to see Rangers and Celtic drawing with each other as early as possible in the competition to knock them out," Telfer added.

"Once they're out, or it's just one of the Old Firm teams in there, every other team should be looking to win it."

Of course, Aberdeen and Motherwell are yet to meet after their fifth round tie was postponed, while Dundee United still have to avoid an upset against The Spartans.

And don't rule out Neil Lennon, who has won this competition eight times throughout his playing and managerial career, and his Dunfermline side.

• Craig Telfer was speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, available here.

• St Mirren v Partick Thistle

• Falkirk v Dundee United or Spartans

• Rangers v Celtic

• Dunfermline Athletic v Aberdeen or Motherwell

All four last-eight ties are scheduled to be played on weekend of 7 March.

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We asked you for your thoughts on St Mirren's extra-time Scottish Cup win over Airdrieonians. Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Buddie_the_badger: Probably just as well that the result is the only thing that really mattered.

After two games, Devaney looks like a very shrewd loan deal. Etete looks like the opposite.

Eddie: It always seems to be the same old story with Saints, we inevitably drop our standards when we underestimate teams below us. We won we qualified for the quarter finals and that is always the most important factor.

Peter: Unbelievable booing from some saints fans, it was a Scottish cup tie after all, did they think Airdrie would be a pushover. Hard fought game end to end the manager and players got the job done. There are no easy games in the cup. Well done Saints.

Douglas: In cup ties the message always is: "Do enough to ensure you win the game".

In that respect we won ugly, but it is hardly surprising given that 3 nights before we returned to a full on, in your face, performance.

Stu: We seemed to ease up a gear after we scored and momentum and intensity are so important and we gave it back to Airdrie for long spells. Need to be more clinical in front of goal. Without naming individuals, we always seem to want a second touch and get closed down.

John: Completely unacceptable. Outfought and out thought by a brave Championship team that competed for every ball. Yes, we're in the next round, but there are players in that St Mirren side that need to take good look at themselves.

Roland Idowu found the net in extra time to send St Mirren past Airdrieonians into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

Match report

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "We found a way. There's a lot of tired legs from Tuesday night [and the win over Hearts]. We lacked a little bit of quality in the final third. If you find a way to win, you're in the draw, you've still got an opportunity.

"It's certainly a great chance. If you've won a cup, got to a quarter-final and we manage to stay in the league, it ends up being a terrific season.

"Airdrie were excellent, credit to them. We got really casual. Some tired minds, poor decisions. They had spells in the game where they had momentum and it's a lesson."

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Stephen Robinson has urged St Mirren to continue their new-found momentum by avoiding a Scottish Cup shock in Airdrie on Friday night - live on BBC Scotland.

After battling their way to a point with 10 men against Dundee, the Buddies stunned Premiership Hearts - who had Craig Halkett sent off - 1-0 on Tuesday night for a first win in eight league games.

"Clean sheets mean you don't lose football matches and that's been part of our unbeaten run in the last four games," Robinson said in a club video.

"We said after the Dundee game that was a real positive result with 10 men, whatever way we got four points out of the two games, didn't matter. We have managed to do that.

"You have to remember we won a cup not too long ago as well.

"We have the opportunity to get to the quarter-final of another cup on Friday night and we'll need the same level of performance.

"Ultimately, every season starts at St Mirren with the reality of trying to stay in this division.

"We have massively overachieved as a group of players and staff, and sometimes people forget that.

"So it's really, really nice to be back to winning ways on a good run and looking to end a positive week on Friday night, hopefully."

Airdrie go into the game on the back of victory over Arbroath in the KDM Evolution Trophy and some impressive form since Aaron Taylor-Sinclair became their third manager of the season.

The Diamonds have only lost twice in their past 13 matches under the former Partick Thistle and Motherwell full-back.

The Airdrie boss said: "It's a manager I played under at Motherwell so I know how good a coach he is and how well he coaches his teams. So it's a difficult task but one we are looking forward to."

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St Mirren defender Miguel Freckleton says the Buddies are "relieved" to pick up their first league win since December after they beat leaders Hearts on Tuesday night.

The 22-year-old scored in the 88th minute in Paisley to overcome 10-man Hearts and give Stephen Robinson's side a much-needed three points.

Craig Halkett was shown a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity after half an hour with the score at 0-0 but the Buddies have faced, and been beaten by, a 10-man Hearts already this term.

Hearts managed to score twice at Tynecastle, despite being reduced to 10 players, and beat Robinson's side 2-0 last month.

"It was a relief," goalscorer Freckleton said of the win on Tuesday night.

"We needed that as a team, the fans needed that and we needed that.

"We've been there [Tynecastle] before and we lost 2-0 when they went down to 10 so we had to make sure we kept a clean sheet and then we got the goal.

"The manager always says, football opinions can change very fast.

"We beat the league leaders and if win on Friday we're in the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup."

The transfer window shut on Monday with Freckleton still in Paisley, despite reported interest from clubs in England.

But the centre-back insists he's committed to Robinson's project.

"I spoke to the manager and I said I'm happy here and I want to stay here," he added.

"Obviously, it's good when I'm confident and I want to keep this confidence going and I want to play for the team and the fans.

"You can go somewhere else and you can lose your confidence so I think being here right now is the best for me."

We asked for your thoughts after St Mirren beat 10-man Hearts 1-0 in the Scottish Premiership to pick up their first win since December.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

JayDee: We really must stop having a pop at Stephen Robinson and the team. Most of the players have come to Paisley because of the manager. I dread to think where we would be in terms of recruitment without his good name. We have a squad containing full Internationals full-time professionals from around the UK & Europe. This doesn't happen in Paisley, not in my lifetime.

Sean: There's the St Mirren I know. Played with intensity and desire from the first minute and didn't allow a very, very good Hearts side time to settle. The red card helps but we played like we did first half of the campaign. Alex Gogic was superb in his natural position, Shamal George and the defence coped with the threat of Claudio Braga and Pierre Landry Kabore. Mikael Mandron and Dan Nlundulu battling constantly up top, and young Jacob Devaney was simply outstanding - gave us the composure we've lacked with Keanu Baccus missing. Tough games to come, but we go next week to Kilmarnock with a huge opportunity to pull away from the quagmire.

Andy: Great performance from Saints but we must start to take our chances, or could find ourselves struggling again. Solid display from young Jacob Devaney did very well to win the ball for the sending off.

Leaders Hearts remain six points in front as they were beaten for only the third time in the Premiership this season, with Miguel Freckleton's 88th-minute header ending a poor run of form for St Mirren.

Read the full match report here.

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St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson told BBC Scotland: "Hearts are a very good side and very difficult side to break down. We played them with 10 men a few weeks ago and weren't able to do that, so we learned our lesson and showed patience.

"We thoroughly deserved the win. We started really brightly, our pressing was back to what it was. We had a penalty overturned, rightly so. Both decisions were outside the box.

"It was important we continued to be patient, play balls in behind. The subs were very good when they came on and eventually we got our just rewards.

"That's us four unbeaten now. There's light at the end of the tunnel. People forgot we won a cup six weeks ago. We've got the opportunity to go into the quarter-final of another cup on Friday.

"The boys have massively overachieved but haven't forgotten what the basics are. We need to try to stay in the division and the result tonight helps us."

We asked for your thoughts on St Mirren's business in the January transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Alan: Not enough work done in the January window, especially with the position we are in, but the problem is finding the right players. Kion Etete is definitely not one of them.

Pauline: January is always a difficult month to recruit. Think Jake Young looks a good prospect, need to see more of Etete. Sorry to see Evan Mooney go, but it's a good move for him. I am disappointed he wasn't put out on loan to get him more game time, we move on.

Tony: I think this window has all but confirmed we will be bottom two.

Alistair: Good luck to Evan, it's a no-brainer, it was good to keep the core group as we've lost key players to injury. Stephen Robinson rarely gets it wrong so hoping the new guys get up to speed quickly as we're in a scrap.

Andrew Christie
Fan writer

There are players who arrive at a club, do a job, leave a handful of memories, and slowly fade into the background hum of football.

And then there are players who arrive and, almost without you realising it, shape the rhythm of the team.

Not a headline. Not a symbol. Just someone you rely on without thinking, the quiet presence that makes everything feel… steady.

Marcus Fraser is very much that player.

Two hundred and fifty appearances for St Mirren. That's a lot of football. Rain, wind, late nights, trips that feel like road movies, knocks that didn't make the media, games where nothing happened except that everything worked.

Five years of making St Mirren calmer, smarter, steadier. The kind of presence you only fully appreciate when you try to imagine the team without him - and it suddenly feels wrong.

Fraser arrived in Paisley in 2020 on a one-year deal from Ross County, where he'd spent over five years and captained the side. Calm, dependable, quietly unshakable.

Celtic academy at eight. Europa League debut at 17. He wasn't flashy. He didn't need to be. He just… fitted.

Fraser has turned out as a right-back. Wing-back. Centre-back. Right of a back three. Left of a back three. He's The Dude's rug. Really ties the room together.

Wherever he's placed, the team somehow makes sense. Chaos falls into order. Gaps close. Mistakes vanish. And you realise: oh. That's why it works.

Milestones stacked up, 200th appearance, Boxing Day 2024 - famous win over Rangers. And then there was Hampden. The 2025 League Cup final. St Mirren lift the trophy. Fraser, captain, goalscorer, lifting it first.

Then, as he leads the team out for number 250 against Dundee, it feels like the right moment to appreciate it properly.

He's been the calm centre, the steady hand, the guy quietly making it all work for years. Every tackle, every decision, every subtle adjustment that made the team stronger, smoother, more certain - it all adds up here.

A long-overdue nod to everything he's done. Fraser. The reason it all holds together.

Andrew Christie can be found at Misery Hunters, external

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• Only against Ross County (nine) and Motherwell (eight) has Hearts' Lawrence Shankland scored more Scottish Premiership goals than he has against St Mirren (seven), with the forward netting five in his past seven league appearances versus the Buddies.

• St Mirren have only lost one of their past seven Scottish Premiership games at home to Hearts (W2 D4), a 2-1 reverse in April 2024.

• Hearts have only suffered one defeat in their past eight league meetings with St Mirren (W5 D2), going down 2-1 in September 2024 in what was Steven Naismith's final game in charge of the club.

• St Mirren have only won one of their past 33 league games against opponents starting the day top of the Premiership (D4 L28), a 2-0 home win over Celtic in September 2022.

• Hearts are unbeaten in seven top-flight games played on a Tuesday (W5 D2) since a 3-1 defeat at Celtic in January 2018.