Stephen Robinson reflects on 'three seasons in one' after St Mirren drama
The Buddies gaffer didn't have his troubles to seek in the early part of a campaign which had a happy ending.
Stephen Robinson insists he has come through the hardest season of his career.
The St Mirren manager had multiple problems to deal with during the campaign but still guided the club to a top-six Premiership finish.
From training ground issues which forced the squad to prepare for crunch European games at Neilston's Brig O'Lea and the Garscube complex in Glasgow to the sheriff court appearances of three players, there was a lot of adversity.
Behind-the-scenes documentaries are all the rage in football just now from Salford City's Class of 92 films to the Netflix hit 'Welcome to Wrexham' and Buddies boss Robbo knows there would have been plenty to keep the cameras rolling after 'three seasons in one'.
'It has been the hardest season I've ever had to deal with,' the Northern Irishman admitted. 'The things that have happened make it feel like it's been three seasons in one!
'To a board and a playing staff, these things don't really happen once in your career. For it to happen three times in such a short space of time, it was a lot to deal with.
'All the issues we've had throughout the season as well with training pitches not being available, losing staff and all the things that go with that, it's been really, really difficult.
'The lesson from that is that people kept believing. The players kept believing, the staff kept believing and the board kept believing.
'My wife was asking me, 'Can you believe you're in the top six again? That you're unbeaten in the top six?' And I have to say, back in September, I couldn't see that happening.
'So, that's testament to the players and the staff that we've not only come through all of that, but come through it flying. We've played brilliant football and been an exciting team to watch.'
When times were tough, Robbo knew he had to provide the direction. He added: 'You have to come in on a Monday morning and be the one that puts things into perspective. Sometimes I have to put a brave face on.'
Meanwhile, the Buddies' Premier Sports Cup group stage fixtures have been confirmed.
Saints will travel to face Arbroath at Gayfield on Saturday, July 12 and then are back up to Angus on Tuesday, July 15 for a date with Forfar Athletic.
On Saturday, July 19, Annan Athletic make their first-ever visit to the SMiSA Stadium which also hosts Scott Brown's Ayr United on Sunday, July 27 for a televised clash.
■Saints hero Stephen McGinn has left his academy role to become first-team coach at Premiership new boys Falkirk. The club have announced that Craig McLeish will head a new Under-19s set-up.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
34 minutes ago
- Scotsman
8 signings Rangers boss Russell Martin could target for loan amid imminent arrival of Max Aarons
2 . Callum Doyle - Manchester City Still just 21-years-old, the versatile defender won promotion on loan at both Sunderland and Leicester City as a centre-back, but flourished at Norwich City last season at left-back. An imposing figure at 6ft, Doyle has a fantastic range of passing, and is capable of building attacks from defence. Still has two years left on his deal at the Etihad Stadium, but has already admitted he would prefer a permanent move away from the club this summer. A loan with a view to a permanent deal could be tempting for Doyle, especially with European football on offer. | Getty Images
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Scathing Rangers claim I heard about Russell Martin is another language but I don't buy the speculation
Russell Martin will need the finely-tuned attributes of Harry Houdini when he starts work on Monday. The escapologist's speciality was being suspended upside down in a tank of water while handcuffed and wearing a straitjacket. He had three minutes to hold his breath and extricate himself from his constrictions. Or else. It's not a life-or-death scenario for the new head coach at Ibrox, despite what the more excitable might claim. But endangerments are building up. There's Panathinaikos in the Champions League qualifier next month – defeat over two legs looks unthinkable. There's a row over the circumstances that saw John Souttar put country before club, and delayed an operation, to be available for Scotland's recent two friendlies. Meanwhile, the club's activity in the transfer market has had the same grip on fans' imagination as FIFA's Club World Cup. Limited enthusiasm has been shown by a support who were expecting big bucks to be thrown at new players by Rangers' new owners, 49ers Enterprises. A civil ceremony to formalise the arranged marriage between the club and their backers will take place at an EGM at Ibrox on Monday. Shareholders will meet to approve £20m of fresh investment. Symbolically, it is a day when governance of the club is taken out of the hands of those who, historically, were brought up to support Rangers. Money knows no allegiance, however, and years of minimal success necessitates an influx of cash from anywhere, and San Francisco is as good a place as any. Martin comes into this potentially febrile environment with his eyes wide open and with a need to close his ears to the outside noise. I came back from the Highlands last Monday having watched two of my grandsons perform at Lochaber Provincial Mod. Then I turned on the radio and wondered if I was still dealing with the linguistic problem of not understanding a word. A Rangers supporter denounced Martin as a 'second-rate manager' and said Rangers would be lucky to finish in the Premiership's top six. It was a cultural rather than language barrier confronting me. My grandkids aren't Gaelic speakers but had learned their competition piece phonetically. The radio caller, on the other hand, was word perfect when it came to unfounded speculation. Martin has enough to worry about without fretting over guesswork. He faces a must-win match at Ibrox against Panathinaikos next month in his first competitive match. He'll need to wriggle out of that like Houdini would – because a lot of the players who had previously excelled on European nights at Ibrox are no longer there. That situation might worsen if Cyriel Dessers is sold from beneath him. Martin must focus on matters he can control and ignore irrelevant details like Gers never beating Panathinaikos in four previous meetings. The past has no relevance to the present or the future, which Russell must shape in a positive way. Monday begins a new era at Ibrox and the weight of history is on Martin's shoulders. Houdini was an illusionist too but the head coach will be under no illusions about his job. The difference between success and failure will be visible to all from every angle.
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
How many tickets will Rangers receive vs Panathinaikos?
Russell Martin's side were paired with the Greek outfit for the second qualifying round tie next month. The first leg, on July 22/23 will be played at Ibrox with the return fixture to be played at the home of Panathinaikos. However, it's expected Panathinaikos will inform Rangers of a stadium switch, with the match instead to be played at the Olympic Stadium. Panathinaikos' ramshackle ground, Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, is being rebuilt and the club will return to their spiritual home for the new season. But it won't be ready in time for their clash with Rangers. Read more: As a result, Panathinaikos will stage the qualifier second leg at the Olympic Stadium, with a capacity of 65,000. In line with UEFA rules, visiting clubs must be handed a minimum of five per cent of the total capacity for away supporters. Panathinaikos rarely coming close to selling out in most of their European games so tickets should not be an issue for Rangers supporters. If the five per cent quota is applied to the maximum 65,000 capacity then Rangers would receive a minimum of 3,250 tickets for the tie. There is scope to increase the figure should the demand be there and Panathinaikos make further tickets available to Rangers. UEFA rules state: "The visiting association or club must be allocated 5% of the total stadium capacity as tickets for their supporters in a dedicated sector of the stadium. "This sector of the stadium must be capable of being segregated from other sectors. "The location of away supporters within this sector must be agreed in advance by police and public authorities.
