Stephen Robinson 'embracing' the challenge of European football with St Mirren

Stephen Robinson says that he and his St Mirren players have to “embrace and enjoy” the challenge of European football rather than being fearful of the outcome.

A sell-out crowd is expected in Paisley for the second-leg of the Saint’s Conference League qualifier against Icelandic side Valur on Thursday.

And the manager is excited for the game as he looks to continue their European journey further following last week’s 0-0 draw in Reykjavik.

He also wants his team to use the energy of the crowd who he insists are just as important to the way the game will go as the players.

Speaking on Wednesday, Robinson said: “I said before the first game that we wanted to make sure we were still in the tie and we certainly are, we could have been a couple of goals up with the chances that we created but that is a positive that we created so many chances.

“The first leg was very open and we aim to make this game not quite as open in terms of our defensive errors, but we are confident going into the game and we face a big test but it’s one we feel confident about.

“We allegedly had 200 people over there and they certainly made a lot of noise, so if there’s going to be 6,000 St Mirren fans at this one then it will be fantastic.

“I have repeatedly said that it’s a credit to the staff and the players here that the fans are turning out in their numbers because we’ve given them something to cheer about, and they are obviously enjoying what they are seeing.

“There is no point in downplaying it, it has been nearly 40 years in the making so we want to embrace it, we want to go and enjoy it, not fear it.

“The players have earned the right to be here and earned the right to be in the tie from the first leg, so we are going to play our game, get the crowd behind us and take the game to Valur.

“Everyone will be given everything they have to get to the next round, and the crowd are just as important as the players in terms of patience because we can’t win the game in the first five minutes, it’s going to be over 96 minutes and maybe even longer, so it’s important everyone stays together and realises that we are playing a very good side as well.”