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St Mirren’s hopes of finishing in the top four of the Scottish Premiership have been boosted by Marcus Fraser signing a two-year contract extension. This will see him staying with the club till late 2027. The deal includes a third-year option clause, based on Fraser’s appearances.
Manager Stephen Robinson commented that Fraser is a big part of the club’s current aim of finishing in the top four of the Scottish Premiership, which would promote them into the UEFA Europa League for next season. This will be a sterling achievement after the Saints’ recent exit from the UEFA Europa Conference League at the hands of SK Brann.
St Mirren currently sits in seventh place on the league table, but the competition remains tight. They share 12 points with Dundee, while Motherwell and Dundee United are tied at 16 points in fifth and fourth positions, respectively. This close standings situation means the Saints still have a realistic chance of breaking into the top four.
Betting sites in the UK have St Mirren at 17/10 to achieve this, with senior bookmaking editor Ian Bruce noting that online sports betting is continuing its growing popularity among football fans in Scotland. Many of them feel that the industry is over-regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, which has seen offshore betting sites benefiting. These can offer a wider range of bets and often have better sign-up bonuses and other promotions too.
In light of these almost 2/1 odds, Fraser’s commitment to the club will be crucial, especially given the interest from other clubs. Similarly, standout players like Toyosi Olusanya, Richard Taylor, Alex Gogic, and Keanu Baccus have all been offered extended contracts as the club aims to retain its top talent amid potential poaching by wealthier teams.
As the season moves toward its final stages, St Mirren faces critical matchups against the league’s top teams. This weekend they play Hibernian, who are last in the league. In the coming weeks, St Mirren’s fixtures will be particularly crucial as they are set to play against Aberdeen, followed by matches against Dundee United and Motherwell.
These encounters will be pivotal in determining if they can move closer to fourth place and bolster their European ambitions. While Robinson has downplayed the pressure on his squad, he is also acutely aware that the upcoming games are crucial for securing their European qualification goal.
St Mirren has shown resilience and tactical discipline this season, overcoming financial constraints to compete effectively with higher-budget clubs. Robinson has managed to assemble a cohesive team focused on hard work and determination.
Robinson’s leadership has been instrumental in driving this success, blending tactical versatility with an emphasis on work rate and positive attitude. St Mirren’s players have consistently demonstrated adaptability, switching formations and strategies to counter specific opponents.
Their defensive solidity and ability to transition quickly have been key elements of their success.
The morale within the team is high, as reflected by players’ comments on the club’s progress and future potential–even while embroiled in the Kevin van Veen controversy. Robinson has cultivated an environment where players feel valued and motivated to perform at their best—a sentiment that has contributed to their strong league position.
Robinson firmly believes his team has what it takes to qualify for Europe. If the club finishes fourth or even fifth (provided a top-three team wins the Scottish Cup), they could be on their way to European competition next season once again and will be hoping for a longer run through the stages than they had this year.
Given their current form, St Mirren’s European qualification hopes remain realistic. If they can improve their league ranking with steady performances, and if they can achieve more post-split victories, they could well surpass Dundee United. While finishing in the top four might be challenging, fifth place seems achievable, particularly if they capitalise on upcoming opportunities against close rivals.
