St Mirren use relegation scare as 'fuel' to win opening Premiership matches
St Mirren beat St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership on 8 August 2026, Killian Phillips' second-half penalty securing successive opening wins for the club.
The start of a new season has allowed St Mirren to reset, and they sit top of the table after two opening Scottish Premiership victories, having defeated Falkirk and St Johnstone without conceding. That contrasts with last term when the Paisley side flirted with relegation and had to come through a play-off to retain their top-flight status. Craig McLeish is in his first full season in charge and the team also enter the campaign as last seasons' League Cup winners.
McLeish said the club are using last season's play-off experience as motivation and focusing on fundamentals. "I'm still using that as fuel," he told BBC Scotland. "We've got a massive journey ahead of us and we have to keep building. Six points out of six is a great start."
The manager highlighted belief and confidence within the squad and the importance of defensive resilience. "It helps with the belief in each other. I've said to the boys I have confidence in them," McLeish said, adding: "Last season, we had two horrendous play-off games - even the emotion about it, there were so much nerves when we stepped on the pitch. We have to be horrible to play against. Two clean sheets sets us up well for that."
Goalkeeper Jacob Chapman credited team defending for setting the tone after his penalty save early in the second half paved the way for Phillips' spot-kick. "Defenders throwing their bodies on the line; [Alex] Gogic throwing his head here and everywhere," he told BBC Scotland. "Even the attackers coming back and helping defend. It sets the tempo for the season. It doesn't mean you're going to win every game or even have a great season, but it definitely helps. And it's what a great season looks like at the start. We've started well. A bit scrappy in some areas and we need to clean that out, but there was still some really nice football getting played in certain areas."
McLeish reiterated St Mirren's transfer model of developing players for potential moves while praising Phillips' impact this season. He described the 24-year-old midfielder as a central figure after Phillips scored all three of their Premiership goals so far. "He's at the stage right now where he's round about the 100-game mark for the club," McLeish said. "He'll be looking for the next step in his career. If he attracts interest, then great. We're doing our job. I'm doing my job. I believe that the longer he stays and plays with me and with us, I'll get him the best move he possibly can. And if that's this window then fine. If it's in January, if we get him to the end of the season, it's part of it and we have to be prepared for any outcome. But we're just delighted to have him as part of our group. He's a massive part of it. And, if he keeps playing like that, his future takes care of itself."
The two victories have yielded six points from two matches and two clean sheets, leaving St Mirren atop the Scottish Premiership table after the opening fixtures of the season.