There was a time when Stephen Robinson would look out the same suit or shoes which had brought him perceived good fortunes in the past – but that won’t be the case when Celtic visit Paisley on Sunday.
By his own admission, Robinson used to fully buy into superstitions whether it be wearing the same socks or even using the same hair gel.
Now, however, Robinson has ditched superstitions but admits it would take a bit of luck for St Mirren to repeat the feat of beating the otherwise unbeaten Celtic this weekend.
"I used to be ridiculously superstitious,” said the St Mirren boss. “I used to wear the same socks, same suit, same shoes - whatever had worked previously.
"Then I realised if my goalkeeper drops the ball at a key moment, it's nothing to do with what socks I'm wearing.
“If my player doesn't pass to the right player, it doesn't matter what hair gel I've put on that morning.
"My missus gave me a lucky feather and she still believes that works. I'm going to maybe try that on Sunday!
"I've become a bit more pragmatic, I think, over time. There are plenty of people here that still believe in that stuff. They'll wear the same bit of kit, the same hoody or same boots. You see footballers going out the tunnel last and I was the same as a player. At Luton I'd always try to go out last and touch the sign above the door.
"As you get older you get a bit more cynical and think it's all a load of rubbish. You win or lose if you play well, or don't play well."
While Robinson won’t be following the same pre-match routine or setting out the same kit from the 2-0 victory in Paisley back in September, he’s more than happy for players to do whatever it takes to mentally prepare for the major challenge.
He added: "If players can mentally get themselves one percent better then they can do whatever it takes. Those small differences when you play big games can be massive.
“If it makes a difference to their mental state going into the game then 100 percent do it."
There has been little luck involved in St Mirren’s standout home form this season but with referee and VAR decisions often pivotal Robinson admits sometimes it might pay to have fortune on your side rather than managerial nous.
"I think I'd rather be a lucky manager than a good manager,” he said.
“I might not be either, I have to say, but a little bit of luck along the way certainly helps in these games."
St Mirren confirmed Jonah Ayunga has gone through an operation for the knee injury he suffered in January.
The striker - who played a key role in the first-half of the season - is set for a lengthy lay-off. However, Robinson has been boosted with Keanu Baccus, Scott Tanser and Alex Greive back in training. Joe Shaughnessy did pull up after the St Johnstone draw with a minor injury.
Discussing squad fitness, Robinson said: "The squad is a bit healthier. Joe Shaugnessy pulled up after the game on Saturday so we’ll see where he is. Hopefully we can get a few back but they need to train.
"Keanu, Scott Tanser, Alex Greive all need to get through training (on Thursday) then see if they have a reaction. Hopefully our bench will be a little more experienced than it’s been the last two games.
"You get periods like this. We knew when through finances we let people go in January if we got a couple of injuries in the same position we’d be in a bit of a crisis and lo and behold we had Jonah and Alex.
"It does become a problem but we’re getting through that. To get four points from the last two games and remain unbeaten with those injury problems is fantastic.
"People wanted us to go and roll St Johnstone over but that’s not an easy task at the best of times and on the surface so we’re very happy with the four points."
