Latest news with #Robbo
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Whoever comes must knock him out of the position, not the other way round'
[Getty Images] We asked for your views on what Andy Robertson's future as a first-team regular at Liverpool is, amid links to Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez. Here are some of your comments: Robert: Robbo has been a fantastic player for the club but his recent mistakes have led to goals conceded and this would be a problem in what I expect to be a tougher season. Advertisement Callum: Robbo has been a great player for Liverpool, a real legend. Last season it was mistake after mistake at times and I think it's down to his game being all about high intensity and his age creeping up on him. His minutes need to be managed now, but he definitely still has a place in the squad. Jimmy: Looks like Robertson's time as the number one left-back at Liverpool could be coming to an end. Robertson might have to get used to being the back-up for Kerkez. AnfieldRed: Robbo is our left-back. Whoever comes in has to knock him out of the position and not the other way round. He's got nothing to prove. Always need a Scot in the team. Neil: Move him on given his contract status. Tsimikas is an able back-up.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
'St Mirren's season was a success,' says Stephen Robinson
The Saints gaffer has reflected on a special season as he hails his players' for making the top-six for the third consecutive year. Stephen Robinson reckons St Mirren's season was a success as he took a final look at an action-packed campaign. The Buddies boss believes his side rose to the challenge in the second half of the season by breaking into the Premiership top six for a third successive year. At the beginning of 2025, Saints fans would have been forgiven for glancing over their shoulders and fearing a battle to beat the drop following four straight defeats. However, a 3-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie was a shot in the arm for a top-half spot. And wins over Rangers, Kilmarnock and Ross County got them over the line as Hearts fluffed their lines in a 0-0 draw at Motherwell in the final round of pre-split fixtures. Robbo's men then went on to have the best form of anyone in the top half after going unbeaten against Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United. Saints just missed out on making it back-to-back European adventures on the final day – but taking the fight that far was a measure of how much things turned around. 'From the second part of the season, I thought we were very, very good,' Robbo said in an interview with the club's media team. 'We played some really good football and had some pace and energy about the side. 'Our results are mirrored by the last five games in the top six where we managed to get nine points and remain unbeaten which was a very good achievement.' The Northern Irishman says it wasn't just a smash-and-grab in how they managed to pick up the points playing attractive football. He said: 'I alluded to the fact that the level of football – and standard – we were playing at to get into the top six at that stage was good. 'Overall, when you reflect on it, it was a hugely successful season and the consistency was the bigger thing. 'We are always trying to get to that stage [of playing nice football]. When you are winning games, and people are playing with confidence, that is easier.' By the season's end, St Mirren improved in many areas they were hoping to with the club ending the campaign with more points, touches in the opposition box, shots on target and goals scored compared with the last two seasons. New signings helped, with keeper Zach Hemming arriving back on loan from Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough. Ryan Alebiosu was a loan recruit from Belgium while free agent Declan John committed his future to the SMiSA Stadium. The Buddies even survived the late-season loss of top goalscorer Toyosi Olusanya – who joined MLS side Houston Dynamo in the United States for an undisclosed fee – thanks to Mikael Mandron and Jonah Ayunga finishing with a flourish. Robbo added: 'The personnel that we added and the people that started to come to form helped. 'Caolan [Boyd-Munce] was excellent in the last six months of the season. 'Ryan and Deccy gave us a different profile in the wing-back areas as they were more like wingers. 'And we played with real pace and energy with some of the one-touch football around the box which was very pleasing on the eye and good to watch; with it being something we will continue to do.'
Daily Record
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Stephen Robinson reflects on 'three seasons in one' after St Mirren drama
The Buddies gaffer didn't have his troubles to seek in the early part of a campaign which had a happy ending. Stephen Robinson insists he has come through the hardest season of his career. The St Mirren manager had multiple problems to deal with during the campaign but still guided the club to a top-six Premiership finish. From training ground issues which forced the squad to prepare for crunch European games at Neilston's Brig O'Lea and the Garscube complex in Glasgow to the sheriff court appearances of three players, there was a lot of adversity. Behind-the-scenes documentaries are all the rage in football just now from Salford City's Class of 92 films to the Netflix hit 'Welcome to Wrexham' and Buddies boss Robbo knows there would have been plenty to keep the cameras rolling after 'three seasons in one'. 'It has been the hardest season I've ever had to deal with,' the Northern Irishman admitted. 'The things that have happened make it feel like it's been three seasons in one! 'To a board and a playing staff, these things don't really happen once in your career. For it to happen three times in such a short space of time, it was a lot to deal with. 'All the issues we've had throughout the season as well with training pitches not being available, losing staff and all the things that go with that, it's been really, really difficult. 'The lesson from that is that people kept believing. The players kept believing, the staff kept believing and the board kept believing. 'My wife was asking me, 'Can you believe you're in the top six again? That you're unbeaten in the top six?' And I have to say, back in September, I couldn't see that happening. 'So, that's testament to the players and the staff that we've not only come through all of that, but come through it flying. We've played brilliant football and been an exciting team to watch.' When times were tough, Robbo knew he had to provide the direction. He added: 'You have to come in on a Monday morning and be the one that puts things into perspective. Sometimes I have to put a brave face on.' Meanwhile, the Buddies' Premier Sports Cup group stage fixtures have been confirmed. Saints will travel to face Arbroath at Gayfield on Saturday, July 12 and then are back up to Angus on Tuesday, July 15 for a date with Forfar Athletic. On Saturday, July 19, Annan Athletic make their first-ever visit to the SMiSA Stadium which also hosts Scott Brown's Ayr United on Sunday, July 27 for a televised clash. ■Saints hero Stephen McGinn has left his academy role to become first-team coach at Premiership new boys Falkirk. The club have announced that Craig McLeish will head a new Under-19s set-up.
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Fans are 'brilliant' says Stephen Robinson as he praises the Saints faithful
Robbo praised the crowds for turning out in force this season, especially considering that two of the country's biggest clubs, Rangers and Celtic, are their neighbours. St Mirren fans have been applauded by their gaffer for sticking with the club through hard times and turning out en masse when players have needed a lift. This season saw a mix of emotions sweep through the stands. A return to European football saw the Buddies start the season on a high, but their fortunes soon turned and it looked like the club was on the brink of a relegation battle. However, a late surge in form ultimately saw the Saints make the top six for the third year in a row. Robbo praised the crowds for turning out in force this season, especially considering that two of the country's biggest clubs, Rangers and Celtic, are their neighbours. 'I don't know what the average crowds were when we first came in but they're really good now. I think 6,200 is our average crowd,' the Paisley chief said. 'That's brilliant for a small club when you've got two huge football clubs on your doorstep as well. 'That's credit to the fans, credit to the players because they're not coming to watch them if they're not playing well. 'The stadium has been full most weeks and the atmosphere has been fantastic. I'm humbled by the reaction that I got [when the fans thanked him with a banner at the Ranger match] and the support that I've got.' The top six finish came despite a number of challenges both on and off the pitch. The team had to contend with a non-playable surface at their Neilston training ground and the dismissal of three key players who all appeared in court on separate matters. Robinson said strength and resilience to get through those hard times will always pay off for both players and management. He added: 'When there were tough times — and you do at a club like St Mirren always go through tough periods — and the character of the group showed. 'The staff and myself, I hope we showed that we can deal with pressure, we can deal with hard times. 'I always say to the boys that bad times don't last forever. The good times always come back, and tough people always last, not the bad times. 'That's a little phrase we use all the time. Bad times don't last forever, tough people do.' The 50-year-old continued: 'And they've proven what a tough and talented group they are, and they've continued to do it. 'The bigger thing is the consistency. Teams can do it once every five or six years. 'But we've done it three years in a row and as I said, success is relative and that's a huge success for us.'
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
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].'
