Like most managers, Stephen Robinson watches his players jet off on international with a combination of pride and dread. As much as the Saints boss loves to see his club’s finest strut their stuff around the world, the experienced gaffer also knows there’s a risk they’ll return with an injury that could disrupt his in-form side’s progress in the league.That nightmare scenario almost played out during this international break.
When St Mirren winger Conor McMenamin was subbed at half-time against Kazakhstan, Robinson was frantically texting his assistant Diarmuid O’Carroll - who is also a coach with Northern Ireland - for updates about his talented forward.
Thankfully for every Buddie involved, the flying forward just needed a rest after putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Slovenia just a few days before.
That left Robinson breathing a huge sigh of relief, with the Saints hoping to pick up where they left off domestically this afternoon against his former club Motherwell.
Read more on dailyrecord.co.uk