For Saints
As another season nears completion it could be another story of changing faces down at Greenhill Road.
Seven games are all that remain in a St Mirren season destined for the history books.
With a trophy well within sights, it has never been a better time to be a Saints supporter, let alone player, in recent years.
But with every summer comes the annual clear-out of players out of contract, or simply moving on to pastures new.
Jack Ross faces some big decisions in the coming weeks and months over who to keep and who to move on.
And with 13 players seeing their contracts coming to an end, Express Sport runs the rule over those set for talks.
STEPHEN MCGINN Age 29. Appearances 37. Goals 1. For all the plaudits that Lewis Morgan has received this year, for outsiders it would be easy to brush over the rest of the St Mirren midfield.
But skipper Stephen McGinn has been the glue that has held the side together, not just this season, but over the past year.
McGinn’s play in the middle of the park gives the likes of Morgan, Kyle Magennis and Cammy Smith the freedom and license to rampage forward in the unstoppable manner which has put countless Championship defences to the sword.
And although it is the youthful trio that might hog the limelight, you won’t see McGinn complaining.
Jack Ross has already made it clear that McGinn will be offered a new contract come the end of the season.
HARRY DAVIS Age 26. Appearances 17. Goals 2. The impact Davis has made on the St Mirren defence since his return from a horror knee injury cannot be understated.
Having persevered with a number of makeshift partnerships over the course of the season, with the likes of Jamie McCart and Gregor Buchanan both serving their stints in defence, Davis’ return solidified the backline.
Prior to Davis coming back into the side, St Mirren had managed to only keep two clean sheets in 12 games. But since his return, Saints have kept eight in 15 league outings.
Davis does have a clause built into his contract that would automatically extend his stay with the side if he was to play 25 games. But with seven games remaining, it is impossible for Davis to reach that total.
Boss Ross is a massive fan of Davis, who he has regularly described as playing at a level below his ability. There will be no second thoughts about putting a new deal on the table for the former Crewe defender.
GAVIN REILLY Age 24. Appearances 37. Goals 22. Saints’ top goalscorer, it would be easy to assume that Reilly will be dealt a new contract come the end of the campaign.
The striker openly spoke about his situation three weeks ago, hoping that he could get something sorted in the coming weeks.
However, he has found himself out of the team in recent weeks following the emergence of January signing Danny Mullen.
Ross faces a decision to see whether he believes that Reilly is ready to make the step up to the top flight... should St Mirren wrap it up.
GARY MACKENZIE Age 32. Appearances 13. Goals 1. Last season’s player of the year has had a topsy-turvy campaign to say the least.
A slow start to the season was compounded by injury woes which ruled him out until December and it hasn’t been until the past month that he has finally wrestled his starting spot back from Jack Baird in defence.
He insists that he is ready for a crack at the top flight and has already urged Jack Ross to give him another season.
STELIOS DEMETRIOU Age 27. Appearances 28. Goals 1. The Cypriot has struggled to nail down a starting spot this season after losing his spot at left back following the return of Adam Eckersley.
However, he has proven to be a capable backup for slotting into the defence when required having been reduced to little more than a sub.
A fans’ favourite, Ross may believe he could still play a role as a squad player but Eckersley appears to have made the starting position his own.
GARY IRVINE Age 33. Appearances 11. Goals 0. Another victim of St Mirren’s success this season, Gary Irvine has rarely kicked a ball for the Buddies since October.
Time appears to be fast running out for the former Dundee and St Johnstone defender.
JOHN SUTTON Age 34. Appearances 17. Goals 2. Looks destined to be a member of two St Mirren promotion-winning sides – but is also certain to be heading for the exit door.
Sutton netted his sole league goal in October’s 2-0 win over Dumbarton but has done little of note since. Rejected the opportunity to leave in January but has had to settle for a spot on the bench ever since.
JOSH TODD. Age 23. Appearances 3. Goals 0. The former Dumbarton winger has been unfortunate with injuries throughout the season having twice dislocated his shoulder.
Surgery was required to fix the problem and by the time of his return Saints were rampaging clear at the top of the table. The additions of Myles Hippolyte and Danny Mullen have pushed him further down the pecking order, leading to him being loaned to Queen of the South earlier this month.