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How are Stubbs' St Mirren gearing up for their Premiership return?
Dave Burin | 02.07.2018
After a three-year wait, St Mirren fans saw their side secure a return to the Ladbrokes Premiership in April – breezing to the Championship title by an eventual 12-point margin.
It's been a summer of change since the Buddies picked up promotion. Jack Ross has departed, with Alan Stubbs taking the reins in early June.
The 46-year-old did good work as Hibernian boss in a stint from 2014-16, taking over a newly-relegated side and turning them into strong Championship contenders.
He'll be hoping to draw on that experience, and prove that his difficult stint at Rotherham United is just a blip in an otherwise promising managerial career.
The Buddies have brought in five players ahead of the campaign – a couple under Ross, and then three under Stubbs.
The new additions certainly add strength across the park.
Returnee Paul McGinn offers a solid presence at right-back, and has the experience of 90 Premiership games under his belt.
While McGinn knows the SPFL inside out, the other newbies have been plucked from south of the border.
Midfielder Cody Cooke has been a stalwart for National League South side Truro City, and chalked up 13 goals in England's sixth tier last season.
Two more have arrived from England's Non-League. Powerful young defender Josh Heaton arrives from Darlington, whilst James Kellerman was a bright spark for Aldershot Town.
Meanwhile, Jeff King is something of a coup having featured in the EFL Championship and Carabao Cup for Bolton Wanderers last season. At 22-years-old, the midfielder has a very promising future.
The step-up from Championship to Premiership is a big one, but the Buddies have made some smart additions and cleared out the deadwood from their squad.
There's reason for fans of the Paisley club to be upbeat ahead of the season.
Stubbs men face Dundee on opening day at the Simple Digital Arena, and it's 31/20 for a St. Mirren win.
Click here for the latest Ladbrokes Premiership odds.
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Dave Burin
Dave graduated with an MA in English Literature at Durham University, and worked in marketing before joining the Ladbrokes News team. A Man United fan and avid groundhopper, he's also an ardent follower of Rugby League. You can usually find him at a ground near you, clutching a big cup of tea.
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