Stephen Robinson wants St Mirren to fight ‘tooth and nail’ for European place

Stephen Robinson insists St Mirren will continue to fight “tooth and nail” for a European spot as they prepare to host Aberdeen on Saturday.

The Buddies have achieved a top-six spot for three consecutive seasons and with four fixtures remaining are in sixth place, eight points behind Dundee United, who are vying with the Dons and Hibernian for third spot.

With five European places available for next season, the Buddies boss remains determined for his squad to get the passports out again at the start of next season.

“We have to win the game if we want to keep our hopes alive, and until it’s mathematically impossible to get to Europe then we’ll be fighting tooth and nail to try and keep it alive,” said Robinson, who revealed Saints are in negotiations with Middlesbrough to keep loan goalkeeper Zach Hemming in Paisley next season.

“I’m sure if you ask any of the players, they’ve probably worked harder in the last two days than they’ve worked in the last six weeks, because I’m a big believer that people pay their money to come and watch the football, and they deserve 110 per cent application and focus on making sure we do everything in our power to finish the season well.

“My players don’t down tools. As a football club, we work hard and that will be until the last ball’s been kicked in the season.”

Robinson expects defender Richard Taylor, out of contract at the end of the campaign, to leave the club along with “two or three” others in the same situation.

However, the Northern Irishman is keen to keep Hemming.

Robinson said: “Richard turned down the contract months ago, so I’ve been well aware that Richard wouldn’t be signing.

“I have no idea where Richard’s going but we wouldn’t be able to reach the levels of money that his representative suggested, no chance.

“So Richard will be 100 per cent committed to the cause until the end of the season. And then we’ll wish him all the best after that.

“I think there’s a strong likelihood (Hemming will be back for next season). That deal’s not done yet, but we’re in negotiations with Middlesbrough and his representatives to try and make sure he’s here next season.

“It seems positive, but we’ve been here many times with different clubs so it’s something we want to do. We’ve made it very clear.”