St Mirren fans had the opportunity to see Stephen Robinson’s new men in action on Saturday as the Buddies travelled to East End Park.
New players including goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe and Northern Irish midfielder Oisin Smyth took to the pitch in what was the club’s first pre-season run-out.
Other summer signings, including Shaun Rooney and Roland Idowu, also came off the bench as the Paisley outfit beat Championship side Dunfermline Athletic 1-0.
The game, according to Robinson, showed the squad is about 70 per cent ready for the start of the William Hill Premiership and UEFA Conference League campaign.
Just before the half-hour mark, Smyth gained possession deep in the Pars half and passed the ball to Toyosi Olusanya, who scored with a tap-in. This was the game’s lone goal.
Robinson stated that the club had selected four challenging games to prepare for the season and that the game was essential to gaining minutes in the legs.
“Ultimately, that’s what these games are about,” he told the Paisley Daily Express Sport . “Dunfermline are ahead of us in terms of their preparation, they’re ready for their first game of the season next week.
“We’re at about 70 per cent and I think that showed early on in terms of decisions and fitness.
“As the game progressed, you could see us getting stronger, and I felt like all the new players fit right in.” In the end, we could have scored a lot more goals, and we’re still working toward that.
“Those are positive first steps.”
Missing from the squad, however, was James Bolton who has left the Buddies for Sky Bet League Two side Fleetwood Town. The former St Mirren defender had signed an extension to his contract in February.
However, he recently made it clear to the Buddies manager that he wanted a move back down south, citing family reasons
It was confirmed on Thursday that a deal had been struck for an undisclosed amount with The Fishermen.
Over the weekend, Robinson told the Paisley Daily Express that he respected the 29-year-old’s choice.
He expressed his disappointment, saying, “I thought we had our squad set.” James was very clear that he had family reasons for not wanting to remain at the football club.
“I only want those here who are interested in supporting the football club and want to be at the club.”
It simply doesn’t work if everyone aren’t moving in the same direction.
However, I get it. I used to play football.
“We wish James nothing but the best because he is a good boy, a good kid, and he gets to be closer to his family.”
There could be a replacement as Robinson added: “Ultimately, we’ve let James go with one eye on something else so hopefully we’ll have that done by the early part of next week.
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