Who is likely to pose Saints the biggest threat?
St Mirren kick- start the competitive action this evening with arguably their hardest fixture of the Betfred Cup group stages.
It is a competition the Buddies haven’t exactly fared well with in recent seasons, with success been hard to find since they famously lifted the trophy back in 2013.
The addition of the group stages in 2016 has also seen Saints fail to successfully navigate the opening round of fixture for the past two seasons, however they once again hold out hope of making an impression this time around.
Standing in their way this year are a host of former Buddies aiming to halt them in their tracks.
Kilmarnock - Tonight (A) Killie boss Steve Clarke will be hoping to mastermind the downfall of his former Buddies tonight as the two sides go head-to-head.
The former St Mirren right back began his career with the Paisley side in 1982 and would rack up over 200 appearances before signing for Chelsea in 1987.
His coaching career needs no introduction having worked alongside some of the world’s best managers at Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United.
He has since forged a formidable reputation as a manager in his own right having dramatically changed the fortunes of Killie since taking over last season.
Spartans – Tuesday, July 17 (H) Former Saints kid Jack Smith has been Spartans marquee signing of the summer having been snapped up by the Lowland League champions.
Smith has carved out a career as a reliable goalscorer in the lower reaches of the ladder since leaving St Mirren as a youngster in 2013.
Spartans last trip to Paisley ended in a heavy 5-1 defeat 18 months ago, where a Kyle McAllister wonder strike stole the show in the Scottish Cup clash.
Queen’s Park – Tuesday, July 24 (A) Before Jack Ross, Gus MacPherson was the last man to mastermind a St Mirren promotion.
Seven years in charge of the Paisley side means he needs no introduction. MacPherson would consolidate the side’s spot in the top division over the course of five years at the top table. That run included the famous 4- 0 win over Celtic, and a 1- 0 victory at home to Rangers.
MacPherson has done an excellent job with no budget over the course of his four years at Hampden, where he will welcome the Buddies next week for the first time since his departure.
Dumbarton – Saturday, July 28 (H) Rory Loy will probably never have to buy a drink in Paisley again having struck the goal that kept the Buddies from dropping to League One in 2017.
Having been drafted in by Jack Ross with the side rooted to the foot of the table, Loy quickly found the goal trail as he scored in a number of crucial games for St Mirren. But his strike at Easter Road is the one that will go down in history
He turned down a permament move to Paisley in favour of a return to Falkirk but things turned sour and he dropped down to part-time football with Dumbarton.