What Stephen Robinson said after Ellery Balcombe stars on St Mirren’s European return
Stephen Robinson insists it’s all to play for after St Mirren’s hard-fought draw in Iceland on their long-awaited return to European football.
The Buddies welcome FC Valur to a sold-out SMiSA Stadium next Thursday evening with UEFA Conference League third round qualification very much alive.
However, the Paisley gaffer faces an injury sweat after midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce left Reykjavik on crutches on Thursday night and wearing a protective boot on his left ankle.
On-loan Brentford keeper Ellery Balcombe was Saints’ brick wall in the Icelandic capital as he made crucial saves in the opening minute and dying stages, from Jonatan Jonsson and Gisli Unnarsson, respectively, of an entertaining first-leg clash.
Robinson’s troops carved out enough good chances of their own but that killer touch proved to be elusive in front of hundreds of the black-and-white army who made the trip north.
Toyosi Olusanya and Roland Idowu were both denied by keeper Frederik Schram while Valur were reduced to 10 men late on after Aron Johannson saw red seven minutes after coming on as a substitute.
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