Stephen Robinson sets St Mirren European target as he draws on Motherwell success

Stephen Robinson swept back into the Premiership as St Mirren boss - and immediately targeted ending a 35-year wait for European football in Paisley.

The former Motherwell boss makes his Buddies dug-out debut against Dundee at Dens tomorrow knowing victory will catapult his new side into fourth position and the Euro spots.

And that’s where he wants them to stay.

The Northern Irishman shook hands on a two-and-a-half year deal after a whirlwind 24 hours that began with him preparing his Morecambe side to face Rotherham.

But after Saints agreed a six-figure compensation fee with the Shrimps Robinson was heading back to Scottish football.

Robinson took Well to a third-place finish in the Premiership two seasons ago and then into Europea League qualifying victories against Glentoran and Coleraine from his homeland before bowing out to Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

And he said: “We are one of four or five teams who will be thinking we can get European football.

“We have put ourselves in that position to compete for that fourth spot.

“It would be fantastic for the football club. Competing against top, top teams – it was an incredible experience for us when we got into Europe with Motherwell.

“We had the tie in Israel which was the pinnacle of it but we did it without fans. There were a minimal amount of fans.

“It would be brilliant to do it in front of a full stadium here and maybe abroad as well.”

St Mirren have only ventured into European competition four times - and the last of those in 1987-88 European Cup Winners’ Cup after Alex Smith delivered the Scottish Cup to Paisley.

But the Europa Conference League has opened up extra opportunities for smaller clubs.

And Robinson said: “It’s another slot to get qualified.