Stephen Robinson provides St Mirren squad update as some players 'won't be able to sign'

Stephen Robinson faces losing some of his best Buddies this summer. The St Mirren boss revealed initial preparations are underway for next season after his side secured back-to-back top-six Premiership finishes.

A number of contract offers have been made to players within the class of 2023-24 who are looking to bring European football back to Paisley for the first time in 37 years.

Defender James Bolton, midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce and striker Toyosi Olusanya have joined forward Lewis Jamieson in putting pen to paper on new one-year deals.

However, the manager confirmed an unspecified number had already indicated they wouldn’t be accepting fresh terms at the SMiSA.

Saints’ Premiership form this season means several of Robbo’s troops will have potential suitors when the transfer market opens up.

The club are trying to attract additional talent from elsewhere themselves with “two or three” offers made.

“There are lots of ongoing talks,” Robinson said. “We have offered players who have made it clear they won’t be able to sign which is fine.

“I understand that and in the coming weeks – once we see what our final position is – I will very much start preparing for next season.

“But we have a European battle on our hands first and foremost so all the players who are not signing will be fully committed to the football club and fully involved.

“We have made contract offers to two or three other players outwith the squad and that’s ongoing.”

Meanwhile, Robinson reckons homegrown bosses have what it takes to continue to cut it at the top of the Scottish game.

Aberdeen have recruited Swedish gaffer Jimmy Thelin to be their new boss but Robbo feels nationality shouldn’t come into it because British bosses are just as modern and progressive in their methods.

“I’m very confident in my coaching ability and how I deal with human beings,” he said. “You have guys like Derek [McInnes] and Tony [Docherty] who are very experienced and do exactly the same.

“It’s testament to the coaching staff here that players keep coming back and wanting to pay for us. We treat people properly and that’s the way it should be.

“There are a lot of good Scottish managers and a lot of good British managers. But if you don’t have a sexy name it doesn’t sell as many newspapers or stimulate social media.

“British managers are every bit as good as any foreign manager who has come into the country.”

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