THE NEW SAINTS

Robinson excited by showing against champions Celtic after losing halfoffirst-team squad last year

- TAYLOR MURRAY

Stephen Robinson insists the players St Mirren bring in are never a “like-for-like” replacement for class acts on the move.

The Buddies appear to be at the beginning of a “new cycle” following a number of high-profile departures.

Richard Taylor, Caolan Boyd-Munce and Toyosi Olusanya are among those who have been brought in, with potential realised, success enjoyed and big deals secured.

Now the Northern Irishman is hoping to do it all over again after a busy summer which has seen nine new arrivals and 11 put pen to paper in total. And the early signs are promising with Premier Sports Cup qualification secured and a hardworking performance in the 1-0 Premiership defeat to Celtic delivered.

“We've lost almost 50 per cent of our first-team squad that was here last year, including Toyosi, who left slightly before that,” boss Robbo said.