St Mirren kept Craig McLeish as head coach after ensuring top-flight status through the play-offs.
St Mirren have confirmed Craig McLeish as their permanent head coach after securing Premiership survival. The club retained their top-flight status through a play-off victory against Partick Thistle, with Marcus Fraser’s goal sealing a 2-1 aggregate win.
McLeish took over temporarily in March following Stephen Robinson’s departure to Aberdeen, overseeing nine league matches with three wins. Despite his efforts, St Mirren finished second bottom before climbing to safety in the play-offs.
McLeish has now signed a three-year contract, ending speculation over his future. His appointment comes after a strong spell under Robinson, who led the team to the League Cup triumph in December—their first trophy in 12 years.
Robinson left in February when St Mirren sat 10th, three points clear of safety, paving the way for McLeish’s interim role. St Mirren’s return to the Premiership in 2018 marked a turning point, with three consecutive top-six finishes before this season’s struggles.
The club’s survival under McLeish highlights their resilience, though questions remain over their long-term stability. The new contract signals confidence in his leadership, despite the recent dip in form.
With Stuart Taylor set to join as assistant coach, McLeish now has a full staff to rebuild the squad. The focus shifts to strengthening the team for the upcoming campaign, aiming to avoid another relegation battle.
Fans will expect progress after the narrow escape this season. Looking ahead, McLeish must address the squad’s weaknesses to secure consistent top-flight football.
The play-off win buys time, but the challenge remains to build a competitive side capable of challenging for European spots once more.