UPDATE: St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson is making urgent changes ahead of their crucial match against Rangers at Ibrox on November 1, 2023. Following a recent goalless draw with Kilmarnock, Robinson admitted that fatigue had impacted his players’ performance, and he is determined to re-energize the squad.
The Premier Sports Cup winners were aiming for their fourth consecutive victory but were held to a frustrating stalemate against a battling Kilmarnock side. Robinson noted the need for fresh legs, stating, “There are a few tired legs, so I do need to freshen it up.”
Robinson is expected to recall striker Mikael Mandron and give captain Mark O’Hara his first start since returning from a foot injury. O’Hara has been training for the past few weeks, and Robinson sees this as a prime opportunity to utilize his experience.
“Big Mika, we thought may be better suited at Ibrox, given there’s a link-up to the game. He’s certainly in contention to start,” Robinson added in a club video.
The Saints are currently unbeaten in five games, but Robinson is keen to address the fatigue that caught up with some of his players. “I thought there were certain individuals that the last couple of weeks probably just caught up with them. We asked a lot of them, especially the forward players,” he explained.
As St Mirren prepares for this high-stakes clash, Robinson is focused on keeping his team motivated. “I don’t think you need a lot of motivation to go to Ibrox and play. We’ll have energy. We’ll make changes in the team. We’ll freshen it up,” he stated, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining the team’s positive momentum.
Reflecting on a landmark year for the club, Robinson remarked, “It’s been a year that the football club will remember for a long, long time.” St Mirren achieved a third consecutive top-six finish and secured their fifth major trophy during this period. The manager is now setting his sights on catching up with the teams ahead in the league, aiming for continuous improvement and safety in the division.
As fans eagerly anticipate the match at Ibrox, all eyes will be on how Robinson’s strategic changes will impact the team’s performance against a formidable Rangers side.
