New St Mirren contracts offered to influential pair as Marcus Fraser stays put
Stephen Robinson has revealed St Mirren have offered new deals to two of their best Buddies.
Top scorer Toyosi Olusanya and centre-back Richard Taylor are mulling over fresh terms at the SMiSA Stadium.
Both players have impressed this season with Olusanya netting six goals while Taylor played through the pain barrier ahead of hernia surgery. The Londoners are out of contract next summer with Saints desperate to retain their services.
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“We’ve offered Toyosi a new contract that would make him one of the highest-paid players at St Mirren and deservedly so and it’s the same with Richard Taylor,” said Buddies boss Robinson.
“We’re trying to keep the basis of the squad together. We’re trying to keep building and not be affected by a short period where we haven’t picked up the points we should have.
“Toyosi still needs reminded every now and again to run and press the life out of people because that’s what he’s good at.
“A lot of modern-day footballers don’t want to run. They want the ball to feet. They want to look good on the ball when what hurts teams is running in behind where you can get opportunities. When he does that, he is unplayable.
“Once he adds the finishing touch and starts taking more chances than his current ratio, he could have a very, very good career. We’re hoping he has that with us.
“There will be a lot of interest in him and Richard, of that I have no doubt. But it shows the platform St Mirren gives players. I’m never confident in anything in football because we can’t influence people with money. It’s not like we can throw life-changing money at people.
“The board have done the best they can and then there is a decision to make. I know both boys are happy. I know if they don’t sign they will give everything.
“I’m sure they will have options. It would be a big boost to us if they did sign. If not, we will use them right to the end of the season. Players will come and players will go but we have a big, big core that has been successful.”
Saints welcome Simo Valakari’s rejuvenated St Johnstone to Greenhill Road on Wednesday night as they look to snap a four-game Premiership losing streak. Robbo was uplifted with the performance in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox – but admits positive results must follow.
He said: “We have had a reset and now we have to back that up with results. On Sunday, we didn’t get the result we arguably deserved.
“We now have two home games where we want to take maximum points but we’ve no divine right to do that. We need that work ethic to get them.
“They are a really good side and play a really attractive style of football. He [Valakari] has done well over the last two games which have changed where they were in the league.
“We need to play football that wins games and gets the fans excited. Football is a simple game complicated by us but we have simplified everything.
“Players that aren’t willing to run around and press will be sacrificed. I have no doubt the vast majority of players will do that but we will add to that at Christmas and move on.
“But our priority is to get six points. One win can get you up to sixth, two wins will take you goodness knows where. The carrot is there and the league is so tight.”
In terms of team news, Conor McMenamin has come through his substitute appearance against Rangers unscathed with Taylor available again. Striker Kevin Van Veen is a doubt with a foot injury while Alex Iacovitti (hamstring) remains a long-term absentee.
Meanwhile, Marcus Fraser insisted signing a new contract at St Mirren was a no-brainer. The vastly experienced 30-year-old defender has put pen to paper on a deal until 2027.
He said: “From a personal point of view, I was buzzing to get it done and I’m really looking forward to the next couple of years.
“When the club came to me a few weeks ago, I sat down with the missus – I was going to say the wee man but he’s only four! We had a chat to see what was best for us. I’m happy coming into my work every day and they’re happy, living close to home, and stuff like that. So, from that point of view, it probably was a no-brainer.
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