St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson says transfers have enhanced squad
St Mirren have added four players so far this summer; they secured their first Scottish Premiership top-six finish last season; the Buddies kick off their league campaign on August 6
Monday 24 July 2023 20:13, UK
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson believes his summer signings have "enhanced the squad" but he is telling fans to manage their expectations ahead of the new season.
The Buddies recorded their first top-six finish in the Scottish Premiership last season, handing the manager a bigger transfer budget this summer.
Robinson has signed Mikael Mandron and Conor McMenamin, with Zach Hemming and Stav Nahmani joining on loan from Middlesbrough and Maccabi Haifa respectively.
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A striker is also on the manager's wishlist as he sets out his targets for the season ahead.
"I bore everyone every season as first and foremost we have to stay in the division and then we take it from there," Robinson told Sky Sports News.
"We believe that the players we've signed have enhanced us. It'll take a little bit of time to get them up to speed, but we believe we've got a stronger squad than we did last year.
"It's a credit to the players that they've given those performances and given that hope, that's what the supporters want and it's not for me to spoil their expectations.
"We have to try and meet them but there has to be a realism to it as well.
"We understand where we are, we've made a lot of progress over the last 18 months and it's in a much healthier position than we were seven or eight months ago.
"I believe we needed to be better in the forward areas. We have a striker to come and I'd like maybe one more, but I'm not sure if I could convince the board!"
The club had two bids for McMenamin rejected before they managed to secure the forward on a two-year deal.
He suffered an injury in their Viaplay Cup Group H defeat to Montrose, but Robinson is backing him to be a big player for the Paisley club.
"After playing on the astro pitch at Montrose his foot has reacted a little bit so he'll have scans, but we're quite hopeful that he'll be ok," the former Motherwell boss added.
"He's a big, important piece of the jigsaw. He's a creative player who can go past people, he can play in numerous different positions.
"The board have been great, we're a smaller club and they've backed us as much as they can.
"We've got the same player budget but we've got more of a transfer budget for the first time and you want that transfer to work so it comes with a little bit more pressure.
"I believe he's a very good player that could be a difference in our season."
O'Hara: The manager brings out the best in me
Mark O'Hara spoke to Sky Sports News about taking the captain's armband as he looks to carry his impressive form into the new season...
"I'm honoured and delighted to be the captain here, it's my local club and since I came through the door I've loved every minute.
"It's a very experienced changing room. I think at a lot of clubs you might need to manage a lot of players, but we're together here and there's not much player management done.
"We're all pushing in the same direction so, although I'll have the armband on, there are more than enough captains on that pitch.
"I worked hard to stay injury free last season and I had a good run at it. The manager trusts me and knows my best positions so that gave me the freedom to get in the box. He definitely brings out the best in my game.
"There isn't a lot between the teams in this league and we know how competitive it is. The manager and the staff have recruited well and we're quite comfortable in our position and hopefully, it will surprise people again this year."
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Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
The transfer window opened on June 14, but who will be on the move this summer ahead of the deadline at 11pm on September 1 in England and at midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
