St. Mirren has wasted no time in signalling what their intent is for next season as they make decisive early moves in the transfer market. The permanent signing of midfielder Roland Idowu off the back of his promising loan spell, along with the important contract extension for the dependable Luke Kenny, shows a reaction to losing six players this summer market.
Getting business done early in a market with some eye-watering prices is going to be important. This early squad building provides a good foundation as Stephen Robinson looks to build on recent progress, but ultimately to push beyond the 5-6th spots that he’s been sat on since taking over.
Early business is often flattering in the eyes of the bookies. As punters will soon begin to place their 25/26 predictions, platforms like NetBet are adjusting their St. Mirren outlook positively.
Idowu's permanent arrival – A statement of intent
Securing Roland Idowu on a permanent deal is an important moment for the stability of St Mirren’s midfield. The 22-year-old showed flashes of his dynamic brilliance during his loan stint from Cardiff City, even if the goals didn’t really come. Most important, perhaps, was the bundle of energy and a directness of his attacking play, which is always a concern for the defending team no matter where he is on the pitch.
His ability to drive with the ball and break lines will be well needed next season, particularly as Robinson looks to increase the speed of attacking transitions and fill the gap left by Boyd-Munce. While still developing, his commitment shows that he sees Paisley as the right place to develop and push for Europe. With a full pre-season ahead of him, Robinson's faith in Idowu could see his impact next season grow to be more than what it was this season just gone.
Kenny commits – Securing experience and reliability
Luke Kenny’s decision to extend his stay feels, to many, like a new signing. The defender’s versatility and age shows that he’s capable of providing the much-needed depth across the backline. Being reliable whenever called upon, Kenny will be looking to push for more minutes next season, particularly with the departure of Richard Taylor. Retaining a reliable player in the spine of the team keeps continuity and a strong understanding of the tactical demands within the squad.
Do these moves bolster the European challenge?
These early pieces of business have been a positive sign for St. Mirren's capacity to challenge for European qualification, but perhaps only in response to losing some key players. Fifth isn’t always enough, and so St Mirren will be looking to once again break the top four. After losing some squad depth with the recent departures, Robinson must continue with this early business to make sure the squad isn’t left too thin come August, particularly with the number of games demanded each season. But, it does provide him with an opportunity to build the squad he wants, and coming into his fourth full season, this will be the case by the end of summer.