St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Lee Hodson on a season-long loan. 

The Northern Irish international, who can play at left and right back, joins from Rangers until the end of the season. 

Lee began his career at English Premier League side Watford and had spells at Brentford, MK Dons and Kilmarnock before signing for Rangers in 2016. 

Speaking about the signing St Mirren manager Alan Stubbs said: "Lee brings the qualities that we are after.

He brings experience, a winning mentality and his own individual qualities. It's one we've been keen to do for the last few weeks.

"We're delighted that he is in and it is going to provide real competition for places which is what we want. As well as being a right back he can play at left back as well which is good.

"There's no issues with him in terms of fitness so all being well he will go straight into the squad for Saturday." 

PICTURE COURTESY OF RANGERS FC

St Mirren in the Community Football Centres return this coming Tuesday (21st August) for the new season. 

The classes will run from Tuesday to Saturday until June 2019, however, please note that centres will not run during the October, Festive and Easter School holidays.

Sessions may be subject to change due to events taking place within the centres throughout the term. Any changes will be announced ahead of time on stmirren.com. 

Schedule

Tuesdays
Arkleston Primary School, Renfrew - 3-5 years - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Arkleston Primary School, Renfrew - 6-12 years - 7:30pm to 8:30pm

Wednesdays
Ralston Primary School, Ralston - 3-5 years - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Ralston Primary School, Ralston - 6-12 years - 7:30pm to 8:30pm

Thursdays
Lochbarr Services, Lochwinnoch - 3-5 years - 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Lochbarr Services, Lochwinnoch - 6-12 years - 5:00pm to 6:00pm 

Fridays
Gryffe High School, Houston - 3-5 years - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Gryffe High School, Houston - 6-12 years - 7:30pm to 8:30pm

Saturdays
Airdome @ Paisley 2021 Stadium - 3-7 years - 9:00am to 10:00am
Airdome @ Paisley 2021 Stadium - 8-12 years - 10:00am to 11:00am

All sessions are £3.50, made payable on the day.

For further information about St Mirren in the Community, please call Ross Paterson on 07702287693 or email: ross.paterson@stmirren.com 

St Mirren Reserves get their season underway this afternoon as they host Dundee United at Simple Digital Arena. 

Kick-off is at 2pm and entry is free so come along and get a look at Allan McManus' side in league action for the first time this season.

Please note that only the main stand will be open to supporters at today's match. 

Alan Stubbs gives his thoughts on this afternoon's 4-0 defeat away to Aberdeen in the Betfred Cup.

PICTURE COURTESY OF AFC MEDIA

St Mirren's Betfred Cup campaign came to an end at Pittodrie this afternoon after a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Aberdeen.

Three goals in 10 first half minutes had The Dons in control, before a second half penalty kick put the seal on a frustrating day for Saints. 

Alan Stubbs named the same starting eleven that featured against Rangers with new signing Alfie Jones having to settle for a place on the bench.

The hosts signalled their intent early with just eight seconds on the clock when Craig Samson was forced into a smart stop at the near post to deny Stevie May. 

Samson made a great fingertip save on five minutes to deny Lewis Ferguson's header. It was Ferguson who went close from the resultant corner, and the teenager will have been disappointed he didn't hit the target. 

Saints had a glorious chance to take the lead on 13 minutes as Cammy Smith won a free kick on the left side, deep in the Aberdeen half. It was a nice free kick from Hayden Coulson which met the head of Nicolai Brock-Madsen, but the Danish forward headed over.  

Three minutes later, Aberdeen were in front. Lewis Ferguson bounded down the left and floated a cross to the back post. Gary Mackay-Steven waited for it to drop before volleying into the net via a deflection off Coulson. 

The Dons doubled their advantage just four minutes later with Mackay-Steven turning provider this time. The tricky winger sent a cross from the right to the back post where it met Graeme Shinnie who dived in ahead of Cammy Smith to bullet home. 

The home side further extended their lead on 26 minutes. Craig Samson's attempted pass for Cole Kpekawa was pounced upon by Scott Wright. The winger rounded the goalkeeper and laid the ball across to Stevie May with the striker tucking home into the empty net from all of 15 yards. 

Brock-Madsen was denied a first St Mirren goal after good play from Smith saw the on-loan striker go one-on-one with Joe Lewis. But the English goalkeeper saved with his legs with Matty Willock heading over from the resultant corner.

Aberdeen continued to threaten before the end of the half with Shinnie instrumental for the Dons. He zipped a dangerous ball across the Saints box which just missed the toes of May on 35 minutes before heading over a Dom Ball cross two minutes later. As the game ebbed towards the interval it was Shinnie who went close again - denied by a good save from Samson.

The hosts almost had a fourth five minutes into the second half after strong play from Wright saw the 21 year-old get away from Jack Baird, but Samson once again denied the Dons with May unable to force home the rebound.

Gary Mackay-Steven got his second for the Dons a few minutes before the hour mark from the penalty spot to make it 4-0. As the winger looked to dance into the Saints box he was brought down by Coulson with referee Steven McLean pointing to the spot. Samson went the right way but couldn't keep the effort out. 

The game petered out with the contest over long before the final whistle. Saints are back in league action next Saturday as we play host to Livingston at the Simple Digital Arena. 

Full Time: Aberdeen 4-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, P.McGinn, Baird, Kpekawa (Jones 51), Coulson, McGinn, Magennis, Willock, Smith (MacPherson 63), Mullen, Brock-Madsen (Cooke 81)
Subs Not Used: Muir, Heaton, McShane, King

Aberdeen: Lewis, Ball, Devlin, Considine, Shinnie, Gleeson, Ferguson, Ross (Forrester 61), Mackay-Steven, Wright (Anderson 70), May (McLennan 79)
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Cosgrove, Campbell, Roscoe

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: David Doig
Assistant Referee: Michael Banks
Fourth Official: Alan Newlands

Attendance: 9,011 (361 St Mirren fans)

PICTURE COURTESY OF AFC MEDIA

It's Betfred Cup action for St Mirren tomorrow as we make the trip up the A90 to face Aberdeen in the last 16 of the competition.

HOW DID BOTH SIDES GET HERE?

The Buddies qualified from the Betfred Cup group stages for the first time since they began back in 2016 after Alan Stubbs' side finished second in Group H on nine points.

The campaign began with a trip to Rugby Park in mid-July to face Kilmarnock. Saints put in a good showing against Steve Clarke’s outfit but couldn’t find the breakthrough goal that would have given all three points. The game went to penalties with Paul McGinn, Hayden Coulson and Danny Mullen netting for The Buddies to earn a well-deserved bonus point.

Saints avoided a shock defeat at home to Lowland League side Spartans a few days later. The Edinburgh side scored either side of half-time to stun the home side. Captain Stephen McGinn, on as a substitute, pulled a goal back for Saints around the hour mark, with fellow substitute, Danny Mullen, scoring from the penalty spot with 15 minutes remaining to take the match to penalties. The Buddies scored all five from the spot to gain another bonus point.

A trip to Hampden was next for Alan Stubbs’ side to face Gus MacPherson’s Queen’s Park side. For the third game running Saints were taken to penalties following a 0-0 draw. A 5-4 win in the shoot-out gave St Mirren their third bonus point. 

The Buddies closed the group strongly and emphatically to secure their place in the last 16. Six goals were put past visitors Dumbarton at the Simple Digital Arena with Hayden Coulson, Cammy Smith (two), Ross Stewart, Stephen McGinn and Jim Kellermann on the scoresheet. The margin of victory was enough to see Saints qualify as one of the best runners up.

This will be Aberdeen's first match in the Betfred Cup this season after missing out on the groups due to European participation.

LEAGUE START

Saints got the Ladbrokes Premiership season off to a winning start with Danny Mullen’s double giving The Buddies a 2-1 win over Dundee at the Simple Digital Arena on the opening day.

The Buddies then made a trip to Ibrox last Sunday to face Steven Gerrard’s Rangers. The Light Blues ran out 2-0 winners courtesy of goals from Alfredo Morelos and Connor Goldson.

Aberdeen’s season began with a Europa League tie against English Premier League cracks Burnley. The Dons impressed over the two legs, taking Burnley to extra time only to ultimately be edged out 4-2 on aggregate.

Their Premiership season began with a visit from Rangers. The Dons found themselves 1-0 down at half-time after James Tavernier's 30th minute penalty. With the game deep in stoppage time, Aberdeen levelled through teenager Bruce Anderson to take a point.

Gary Mackay-Steven’s second half penalty gave Aberdeen all the points last week when they took on Dundee at Dens Park.

PAST CUP MEETINGS

Saints last visited Pittodrie in January of this year when we were drawn with Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup. The Dons ran out comfortably winners.

Adam Rooney opening the scoring from the penalty spot after just eight minutes before Ryan Christie doubled their advantage 12 minutes later. The Buddies pulled a goal back through Gavin Reilly, but Christie netted before half-time to restore The Dons’ two-goal cushion. Less than two minutes after the break, Gary Mackay-Steven scored a screamer to give Aberdeen a 4-1 win.

However, St Mirren’s last visit to Aberdeen in this competition was a memorable for those of a Black and White persuasion. 

Saints looked to be heading through to the 2012/13 League Cup semi-finals with Sam Parkin and Kenny McLean scoring either side of a Scott Vernon goal having the visitors ahead. But in time added on, the Dons equalised through Josh Magennis. Neither side could grab a winner in extra-time and the game went to penalties.

As he has been so often for Saints, Craig Samson was the hero as he saved a then 16 year-old Cammy Smith’s penalty to send Saints on their way in a competition we would ultimately win that season.

TEAM NEWS

Danny Rogers is unavailable for Saints tomorrow as he can’t play against his parent club.  New signing Alfie Jones could be given a debut, while Adam Eckersley, Gary MacKenzie and Jordan Kirkpatrick all remain sidelined. It was also announced that Jim Kellermann has joined English side AFC Fylde on a season-long loan.

Aberdeen have had to deal with the loss of important players such as Adam Rooney, Anthony O’Connor, Greg Stewart and Ryan Christie. But McInnes has managed to bring in the likes of Lewis Ferguson, Chris Forrester and Dominic Ball, while James Wilson has joined The Dons on loan from Manchester United.

St Mirren Football Club can confirm that Jim Kellermann has joined English side AFC Fylde on a season-long loan.

The midfielder joined Saints on a two-year deal in the summer and made four appearances, scoring once. 

Everyone at St Mirren would like to wish Jim all the best during his loan. 

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce that Ethan Erhahon has signed a three-year contract extension with the club. 

The 17 year-old made his Saints debut last season against Raith Rovers in the IRN-BRU Cup at just 16 years-old. 

St Mirren Chief Executive, Tony Fitzpatrick said: "Everyone knows the importance our club places on youth and we are delighted to have Ethan signed up on a long-term deal. 

"In recent times we've seen the likes of John McGinn, Kenny McLean, Stevie Mallan, Lewis Morgan and so on get big moves and capped for Scotland. We've also seen Kyle Magennis make himself a fixture in the first team as has Jack Baird.

"Ethan has been in and around the first team and it's great to have him signed up."

Tomorrow afternoon (Saturday 18th August) St Mirren head north-east to face Aberdeen in a 2nd Round tie in the BetFred Cup at Pittodrie Stadium.

The info on Travel Clubs heading to Pittodrie Stadium is as follows:

North End Travel Club

The bus to Aberdeen will leave The Sneddon at 9:30am.

Bus tickets are on sale in The Brewer's Tap - members £5; non-members - £10

Chivas Travel Club

The bus for Aberdeen will leave the Court Bar at 9:00am.

Bus tickets are on sale now from the Court Bar.

Tile Bar Supporters Bus

The bus for the cup tie in Aberdeen departs at 9:30am.

Bus tickets are available from the bar.

Cockles Wilson Supporters Bus

We will be leaving at 9:00am for Aberdeen.

Please note that we will be making our usual stop in Stonehaven.

There are a limited number of seats remaining on the bus. Anyone wanting a seat on the bus should message Fraser Burns through Twitter or Facebook.

Entry is by cash turnstiles, which will be open from AT LEAST 1 HOUR PRIOR TO KICK-OFF.

Aberdeen FC have asked us to pass on the following info for fans who will be travelling through to Pittodrie Stadium tomorrow:

Flag Policy

No surfing flags are allowed in the away section. Flags on 1.2 metre canes are allowed and any large flags, which must be fire retardant, can be displayed over the unoccupied seats of Section P or immediately behind the disabled section.

Delays coming into the City

There are no roadworks scheduled for traffic coming into the city other than the usual hold ups in the harbour area. Please allow plenty of time to get to the ground. The turnstiles will open one hour prior to kick-off and persons should be at the ground at least 25 minutes before kick-off to ensure that they see the start of the game.

Smoking Policy

Pittodrie Stadium is a non smoking stadium. If a person wishes to leave the ground to smoke, he/she can do so but they will be treated as leaving the stadium and will not be allowed to re-enter.

Additional Information for Travelling Fans

The referee for tomorrow's BetFred Cup tie against Aberdeen will be Steven McLean and he will be assisted by David Doig and Michael Banks. The fourth official will be Alan Newlands.