Stephen Robinson insists he hasn’t given up hope of retaining Australian internationals Ryan Strain and Keanu Baccus at St Mirren.
The Socceroos duo have both been offered new deals by the Buddies but have yet to sign.
Saints gaffer Robbo is braced for summer departures as his top-six heroes attract admiring glances from other clubs.
Strain and Baccus will both have their suitors and Robinson conceded there’s not much room left when it comes to thrashing out terms.
He affirmed, “Both have been offered contracts, but neither has signed as of yet.” And there’s not much more that we can do. Hear me out: things could change at any time.
“I have found both boys at this football club to be fantastic.” When they arrived, no one knew who they were, so for both boys, the football club has been amazing.
“We have given them the platform and they have certainly taken that. We haven’t lost all hope yet – we still might surprise a few.
“Keanu at the minute hasn’t been in the team because of the performances of others. He was also away and ill at the same time which took away a bit of his momentum. But he’s been a fantastic player for me and he’s a fantastic boy as well.”
When it comes to the business end of the game, Robbo is aware of the situation, but he is convinced that the Saints—who on Friday announced Elvis Bwomono’s one-year contract extension—are a compelling offer when it comes to negotiations.
If Dundee loses to Hearts at Tynecastle, the flying Buddies might guarantee their spot in the Europa Conference League for the following season with a victory over Kilmarnock tomorrow.
“Money dictates a lot of things in life, and rightfully so,” the employer declared. Players’ careers are brief. However, I believe we have a lot to offer when there is not a significant financial difference between the proposals. We’ve now placed in the top six twice.
“People are able to observe the level of both our staff and players. The players seem to like coming to work here. The quality of our teaching team has helped us build a solid reputation, and athletes seem to feel like they are becoming better.
However, Robinson believes that because St. Mirren is now a top-six Premiership side, he has managed to hold onto star player Alex Gogic.
The 30-year-old signed a new three-year contract at the SMiSA Stadium on Tuesday, and the Buddies manager is thrilled about it.
Robbo said: “He’s been a huge player for us this season – one of many – and it’s been great to get it over the line. I had been speaking to Alex for a long time.
“He has known my intentions and what I think of him since he first came to the football club. He was initially on loan and had seen things evolve and can see where we want to go.
“I think he was quietly excited about it when I spoke to him about the players we want to bring in to keep becoming better—and Goga never gets too happy! Other clubs in Scotland and England expressed interest in him and made larger financial offers.
But he made the decision to stay because we made it obvious how essential he was to us. He wouldn’t have signed if we weren’t a top-six team, in my opinion. Even though we’re not in Europe yet, it’s clear that we have the possibility right now, and it drew Goga to sign.
