Stephen Robinson in St Mirren keeper search as Zach Hemming set for Middlesbrough role

Stephen Robinson yesterday stepped up the search for a new goalkeeper after confirming Zach Hemming won’t be returning to St Mirren.

The Buddies boss had hoped to bring the 24-year-old back to Paisley from English Championship side Middlesbrough for a second loan following a stellar campaign.

But the manager admits he will be looking elsewhere with the Teessiders set to give the highly-rated stopper, who has made 100 appearances in Scottish football, a chance to be part of their first-team set-up next season.

Hemming, who has two years left on his contract at the Riverside Stadium, has spent the last three seasons on loan in Scotland. He had back-to-back campaigns with Kilmarnock which included being part of the team which won the Championship in 2022.

A difficult second year followed but he has been revitalised by the Buddies and progressed under goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield.

However, it looks almost certain that Hemming’s showing against Celtic in the Premiership on Saturday was his final game for Saints.

Robbo is now planning on recruiting a new custodian with his side kicking off the 2024-25 campaign in the UEFA Conference League at the end of July.

In an end-of-season interview with the Paisley Daily Express, he said: “We’re obviously looking at the goalkeeping position and we’re very close to doing something in the coming days.

“We’ve tried very hard to get Zach back but it won’t happen. He is a Middlesbrough player and will be going back to Middlesbrough. He’s got the chance to be the No 2 there and he’s developed massively since he’s been with us.

“That’s credit to Jamie, all the coaching staff and to Zach himself. He’s going back to a very good club. He’s also going back to a very good goalkeeping coach in Alan Fettis.

“They want to see him, they want to look at him and we can’t wait that long. When we have our first game, we have to make sure we are ready to go.

“These things happen. We thank the boy immensely. Zach has been tremendous for us, as have all the boys who are leaving. He goes with nothing but our best wishes to him and his family.”

Robbo is also looking at signing two midfielders – following the departures of Keanu Baccus, who has joined Mansfield Town, and on-loan Celtic ace Hyeokkyu Kwon – and potentially recruiting another forward.

“There’s obviously going to be a lot of wheeling and dealing as the new season moves closer,” the manager acknowledged. “I think we need three more players – a keeper and two midfielders. We may look to add a bit more pace in the forward positions.”

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