27-05-2025
St Mirren youth structure is key to success says Stephen Robinson
Robinson and academy director Allan McManus have been working to bridge the gap between youth and first-team football
Stephen Robinson says overhauling the youth structure at St Mirren will allow the club to create more players like Ethan Erhahon.
The Buddies boss said he is working with academy director Allan McManus to ensure youngsters have all the attributes required to break into the first team.
And for those who show real promise, such as Erhahon did during his time at the club, he believes they can generate significant revenue for Saints moving forward.
Robbo, who fielded youngsters such as Evan Mooney and Luke Kenny this season, says it is crucial the club bridges the gap between the youth academy and the Premiership side.
'When I came here in 2021, the kids weren't fit enough and they weren't strong enough,' he told Express Sport.
'Their talent wasn't shining through because they weren't able to do the basics.
'That takes a little while. Myself and Allan have tried to put things in place at Under-16 and Under-18 levels so that we are bridging the gap.
'There's still a long way to go, but kids have to be good enough to go into the first team.'
Robbo's approach to developing the youth teams has seen him put a number of players out on loan to gain game time and experience.
This season, players such as Shay Kelly (Dumbarton), Gallagher Lennon (Bonnyrigg Rose), Lewis Jamieson (Raith Rovers), Callum Penman and Fraser Taylor (Arbroath) have all gone out on loan, with the latter pair having all helped Arbroath to lift the Scottish League One title.
That approach worked for Erhahon, who was loaned to Barnsley in 2020 before being sold to English League One side Lincoln City in January of 2023.
Now, the 24-year-old is being touted for a move to a potentially higher league, with the Saints set to get a percentage of any deal.
Robbo added: 'If you look at Ethan Erhahon, he's on the verge of another big move.
'I don't know the exact figures, but we've got sell-ons that will be massively beneficial to us.
'Ethan was a boy that, I believe, everyone wanted to release before I came in here.
'But the staff here did a great job to get him to the level to get that move. And then he's kicked on from there — he's been excellent.
'And it shows that model of developing your own players does then bring in money, like Ethan will.'
Looking to the future, Robbo has already identified Evan Mooney as a player who could follow a similar path and generate income for the Saints should he leave the Paisley club.
'Evan Mooney could be one that goes for big fees and does really well for us,' he said.'
The 17-year-old had a fantastic breakout year at the Saints after making his debut against Hearts in October.
Since then, fans have been eager to see more of him, with the youngster impressing and playing pivotal parts in crucial games this campaign, helping the Buddies make it into the top-six for a third time.
And while proceeds from any sale of Erhahon this summer would be a welcome boost to the Saints' coffers, Robbo is quick to temper fans' expectations of a buying spree during the transfer window.
He said: 'Everything is going up with the cost of living, so you're getting the same players for more money.
'We believe we've got a really good squad going forward but there are certain bits I want to improve, to change and to add to.
'That's difficult in this market, but agents know St Mirren are a decent club to work with now — and the board will do everything the can [financially].'
