It’s been a while, troops. These column inches haven’t been filled since the week of the last game of the season against Rangers.
I return to duty a married man, with my wedding thankfully going off without a hitch earlier this month.
As most married people can attest to, it was one of the most nerve-racking days of my life – but also certainly one of the best.
But while other people are just preparing for their summer holidays with most schools breaking up this week, the fun times for me are over and it’s back to business on the Paisley beat.
Thankfully, the Saints players have returned to pre-season training this week and now it’s time for the rumour mill to start spinning and the hectic transfer madness to properly begin.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn this week that one of the first serious bits of business the Buddies had pulled off was to persuade influential defender Charles Dunne to stick around for another season.
It looked all but a certainty that the speedy 30-year-old defender was destined for pastures new after not agreeing a new deal when offered one last month.
As it turns out, yesterday the club announced he would be staying in the stripes for another year – a huge boost for the Saints and boss Stephen Robinson as they look to maintain their spot in the top six in the coming campaign.
With former skipper Joe Shaughnessy having already left to join Dundee, the solid St Mirren backline – which played a huge part in making it into the top half last season – already needed some reinforcing.
However, with Dunne deciding to continue his career in Paisley, that’s at least one less hole to plug for the upcoming season.
It also appears the Saints have captured young Isreali striker Stav Nahmani on a one-year loan deal – subject to a work permit and visa being issued.
I’ll be totally honest, hold my hands up and say I’ve never seen a minute of action of the 20-year-old – and I’m sure I’m not the only one in that boat.
But Robinson and his chief scout Martin Foyle have already shown in recent windows they’ve got a serious eye for a player.
So, it will be interesting to see what attributes the Maccabi Haifa starlet can bring to the club, if his move to Paisley is confirmed in the coming days.
With powerful striker Curtis Main having already departed, the Saints’ frontline will certainly be an area that Robinson is targeting to strengthen ahead of the upcoming League Cup campaign.
One player Robinson will be desperate to hang on to is star Aussie Keanu Baccus, who played such a huge part in the club’s success last season.
At 25 and with growing international experience, it’s no surprise to learn that multiple clubs are still tracking the talented midfielder.
Keeping him in Paisley come the start of the season would be a huge coup in itself, although it’s one I unfortunately think is increasingly unlikely to play out.
Selfishly, I’d love him to stay at the club, because he’s been a joy to work with and cover since he joined from Western Sydney Wanderers last season.
His recent battles with my idol, Argentina ace Lionel Messi, have also been brilliant to watch, too.
It isn’t always easy to keep up with the incomings and outgoings during transfer windows, with agents and clubs all having their own agenda as they look to get the best deal for their players.
But here at the Paisley Daily Express we’ll do all we can to keep you informed, focusing on making sure we give you the correct information when we have it – not just rumours.
So, stick with us for what are sure to be an eventful few months off the pitch as Robinson and Co. form the squad they believe can repeat the feat and seal another top-six finish this season coming.
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