Ross Stewart says he feels like he is already improving as a player just a few weeks into pre-season training.

The goalkeeper joined the Saints from Albion Rovers in May, penning a two-year deal. 

It's a move that sees the 22 year-old return to full-time football after leaving Motherwell in 2015. 

And he admits he's loving being back full-time.

I've thoroughly enjoyed it," he told stmirren.com. "Getting back in every day has been brilliant.

"The training has been brilliant with the gaffer and Langers.

"I feel like I am improving every day and I'm just looking forward to the season getting started."

The Buddies defeated East Fife in a closed door game on Tuesday night and make the trip to Inverness to face Inverness Clachnacuddin tonight and Nairn County on Sunday. 

Stewart enjoyed getting back to action against East Fife and is looking forward to the trip to the Highlands as the Buddies prepare for the Betfred Cup group stages in two weeks time.

It's good to get the first couple of minutes under your belt," he said. 

"The trip up to Inverness will be good for us all as well. There is a team bonding activity up there as well so I'm looking forward to it. 

"We've got the Partick game away on the telly and you always look forward to playing on the telly.

"I played against Livingston and Airdrie last season and they have good stadiums so they are good games to look forward to."

The goalie, one of eight recruits this season, says that he's joined a confident dressing room - one that has already boosted the new boys.

There's lot of confidence," he said.

"The gaffer has kept most of the boys that he wanted from last season and I think the confidence from those who were here last season has really rubbed off on us."

The club shop last night received an initial allocation of home and away jerseys for the new season. 

This is the first time in many years that the club shop has been able to sell the strip and shop staff worked late into last night getting what we had out and ready for sale today. 

However, this may not be sufficient enough to satisfy demand and we ask that supporters bear with us as we await our next delivery. 

Some pre-orders have been set aside and any that do not require shirt printing will be able to be collected from the club shop today. If your order is ready for collection or postage you will have received an email informing you. If your order still says it's processing then we haven't received it yet and it will come through with our next allocation. 

We are also awaiting delivery of shorts and socks so these will not be available for collection today, but if your order included a jersey you will be able to collect it.

If collecting from the shop please bring along your order number.

We understand some supporters may be left disappointed, but we will continue to do our best to keep supporters updated about the next delivery of kit. 

St Mirren can confirm that Lewis McLear has left the club following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract. 

The youth academy graduate made his Saints debut in a 1-0 defeat against Motherwell in December 2014.

McLear made 21 appearances for the Buddies but failed to become a regular feature in the side. 

The club would like to wish Lewis all the best for his future career. 

UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier
Scotland v The Netherlands
Tuesday, 5 September 2017, kick-off TBC
Paisley 2021 Stadium, Paisley

The Paisley 2021 Stadium will play host to Scotland’s opening UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier against the Netherlands on Tuesday, 5 September (kick-off TBC).

Scot Gemmill’s side will begin their qualification bid at home against the Dutch before a trip across the border to take on England and a home tie against Latvia in an October double-header.

Scotland will also play Ukraine and Andorra in Group 4 as they bid to reach the finals in Italy in 2019.

The nine group winners qualify directly for the final tournament, while the four best runners-up (not counting results against the sixth-placed team) advance to the play-offs.

Scotland warmed up for the qualifiers with a third-place finish at this summer’s Toulon Tournament.

An under-20 squad defeated Brazil, Indonesia and Czech Republic to earn a third-place finish at the prestigious 12-team tournament, with every player eligible to take part in the upcoming under-21 campaign for which players born in 1996 or later can be selected.

Ticket information will be announced in due course.

Scot Gemmill said:

“We’re really looking forward to the start of the qualification campaign and the Netherlands will provide us with a great challenge in our opening match.

“We have played matches at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in recent times and it’s a fantastic venue with a great pitch and facilities.

“I remember Scotland Under-21s played the Netherlands in Paisley back in 2012 and nearly 7000 supporters packed out the stadium – the atmosphere was incredible.

“I hope we can attract similar numbers in September to cheer on the team and help get us off to a good start in the group.”

The ticket office and club shop will both be open this Saturday from 9am to 12pm. 

Midnight on Sunday is the last chance for supporters to buy a season ticket at early bird prices. 

From Monday at 10am all unsold seats will be released for general sale and those who have yet to renew from last season must do so before Sunday if they wish to guarantee their own seat for next season.

The club has been delighted with the uptake of season tickets with sales up 16% on the close of the early bird offer last year. 

The club shop will also be open to sell the new home kit with an initial order due in time for sale tomorrow with more to arrive in the next few weeks. 

For more details on season tickets please click HERE.

St Mirren travel to the Highlands this weekend to face Inverness Clachnacuddin and Nairn County.

Both matches will be pay-at-the-gate with adult entry costing £8 at each match. 

Concessions at the Inverness Clach game will be £4, while concessions are £5 at the Nairn match. 

The Clach game takes place at their Grant Street Park stadium on Friday night with a 7:45pm kick-off and Sunday's match against Nairn at Station Park Nairn kicks off at 2pm.

Tickets for Tuesday night's match against Dundee are on-sale at the Ticket Office with season ticket holders going free.

Season ticket holders have until 2pm on Monday 3rd July to secure a seat for this match. 

St Mirren have been drawn to face East Kilbride in the first round of the IRN-BRU Cup. 

The match will take place on Tuesday 15 or Wednesday 16 August 2017 at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Last season the Buddies reached the final of the competition after seeing off Albion Rovers, Hibernian, Ayr United and The New Saints. 

Ticket arrangements will announced in due course. 

St Mirren Football Club this morning announced the signing of Dale Hilson on a six month deal.

The forward, who left Queen of the South at the end of last season, impressed during a week stint on trial. 

The 24 year-old began his career at Dundee United before several loan spells at Forfar Athletic. 

Hilson was then snapped up by the Doonhamers in 2015 where he scored seven goals in 38 appearances.

On the move Hilson said: "St Mirren is a big club and as soon as there was a chance to come in and train I was more than happy to come in and prove myself.

"I'm happy I've managed to do that and I'm happy it is done. 

"I'm looking forward to getting games now. The boys have been brilliant, the training has been good and it has been good to get involved. Hopefully I can train well, stay healthy and force my way into the manager's plans. 

"I'm probably the fittest I've ever been. The injuries last year weren't good so I made sure wherever I was going that I was going to be very fit.

Saints assistant manager James Fowler took the forward to Queen of the South during his time as manager in Dumfries.

He said: "He's an all action player. He's an intelligent one that makes good runs, can link play and can score and create goals. 

"We've had him in over the last week and he's looked sharp and really impressed the other players." 

David Clarkson says he is making steady progress as he works to get back to fitness following an injury.

Clarkson injured his anterior cruciate ligament in a training ground accident back in February.

It was a blow that was expected to keep the 31 year-old out for up to a year. 

And while the striker is still following the initial timeframe set, he believes he is making good strides.

I feel good," he told stmirren.com. "I'm doing a lot more functional stuff now so it's a step forward for me and I'm progressing nicely really.

"The time given was 9-12 months so that's what I'm aiming for. Hopefully everything goes to plan." 

Jack Ross admits that the club had a moral obligation to Clarkson after his injury, but also believes that his attitude around the training ground made it an easy decision to keep him around in some capacity. 

The striker will continue to work on getting back to fitness while helping out in terms of performing scouting duties. 

It's something the manager says will help him, while Clarkson is looking forward to giving as much assistance as he can.

The club have looked after me," he said.

"I'm potentially going to do some work behind the scenes and watch opponents games to do some reporting and stuff. I've done my A Licence so that ties in with that.

"The club have been brilliant and I spoke to Tony and the chairman to thank them.

"It wasn't ideal with my contract being up. It was a worrying time for me but thankfully the club have looked after me. 

"I want to help out as much as I can. I would love to be playing but as long as I'm here I will try and help out with anything I am asked to do."

Andy Webster has returned to do some coaching with the U20s and Clarkson says it something he'd be keen to help out with if asked.

I do some work with the Motherwell U15s just now and I think that's the road I want to go down.

"I'd love to do some work with the U20s here if that came about. I'd love to try and pass on some experience and tips."

Saints first competitive games get underway in just over two weeks time when Jack Ross' side take on Stranraer in the Betfred Cup. 

Clarkson hopes that his Buddies teammates can push on from the extraordinary end to last season. 

He said: "You could always see the change in the team and the confidence there.

"I think it shows the character there to get out of the situation we were in last season.

"I was at the last game of the season and it was nerve wracking.

"The core and the structure are there to go and hopefully build on that. It's a club that should be in the Premiership.

"I'm sure the boys will knuckle down and try to get a good start and see where we go from there. 

"I think the gaffer is probably still looking at a few players and I'm pretty sure when he has the squad he wants there will be a discussion of where we want to aim for this season and everybody has to be on board."

On Saturday 15th July, St Mirren kick-off the new season with a trip south-west to face Stranraer in the Buddies' first group match of the Betfred Cup campaign at Stair Park.

The latest info we have on Travel Clubs heading to Stair Park for the match is as follows:

North End Travel Club

The bus to Stranraer will leave the Sneddon at 11:00am.

All seats on this bus are £8 each. Bus tickets for NON-MEMBERS are now on sale in The Brewers Tap.

Would MEMBERS please get in touch with Jimmy or Gilly or come into The Brewers Tap on Saturday 1st or Saturday 8th July and let us know if you plan to go to this match.

Chivas Travel Club

The bus for the cup tie at Stranraer will leave The Court Bar at 11:00am.

Bus tickets will be on sale at the pub from 28th June.

Any Saints fans wishing to join the Travel Club for next season should contact The Court Bar and leave their name and a contact number.

Please note that we will not be running a bus for the Partick Thistle game on 22nd July.