Keanu Baccus eager to help St Mirren into European football as he opens up on Premier League dream

Keanu Baccus admits he owes St Mirren the world after the Buddies helped him live his dream at Qatar 2022.

Now the Australia ace wants to repay Stephen Robinson and Saints by securing a venture into Europe for the first time in 36 years. Baccus has barely had time to stop for breath on a stunning journey since swapping Sydney for Saints last July. The highlight came when the midfielder made four appearances for the Socceroos at the World Cup including a head to head with Lionel Messi and eventual champions Argentina in the last 16. The 24-year-old had been on the fringes of Graham Arnold’s squad before finally winning his first cap in September - three months after joining Saints.

And he knows there could still be more to come from a season that just keeps on giving with the Buddies sitting fifth and just three points off Aberdeen in fourth as the race for Europe hurtles towards the final straight. Baccus said: “St Mirren have definitely helped me reach some short term goals. But I have a lot more to do and prove in my career.

“Without coming here I probably wouldn’t have had that chance to play for my country. I’m super happy but hopefully I continue to get selected in the future. First I have to keep working hard here for St Mirren.

“I always believed in myself. As a player you have to right? Have faith the right things will happen for my career and future but it’s surreal and I’m super excited to see where this season can take us and push for that top six spot.

“Europe was the target for me before the World Cup as well. Coming here and doing my absolute best for the club, the World Cup was a bonus but first and foremost I want to do the best for my club, it’s my job.”

Baccus has found himself in the transfer spotlight