St Mirren celebrated European soccer in Paisley for the primary time in 37 years with a convincing 4-1 win over Valur to ebook their place within the UEFA Convention League third qualifying spherical.
Following a goalless draw within the first leg of the second-round tie in Reykjavik final week, Stephen Robinson’s facet confirmed their mettle at residence.
St Mirren’s stadium was near its 8,000 capability for the membership’s first foray into Europe since they competed within the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1987 and the resultant environment was inspiring.
Debutant defender Shaun Rooney scored with a trademark header after quarter-hour and the Scottish Premiership facet doubled their lead within the 51st minute by means of attacker Tayosi Olusanya.
Skipper Mark O’Hara fired in a beautiful third within the sixty fifth minute earlier than Tryggvi Hrafn Haraldsson diminished the deficit within the 74th minute from the spot however substitute Alex Iacovitti scored a debut fourth with three minutes remaining.
Saints will meet Norwegian outfit Brann who beat Go Forward Eagles 2-1 on mixture, within the third qualifier with the primary leg in Paisley subsequent week.
Kilmarnock Europa League hopes ended
Cercle Brugge’s Thibo Somers celebrates scoring in opposition to Kilmarnock
A defensive mix-up put paid to Kilmarnock’s Europa League hopes as they fell to a 1-0 defeat in opposition to Cercle Brugge in Belgium.
Liam Donnelly and Lewis Mayo each attacked the identical cross and the ball landed on the toes of Cercle captain Thibo Somers to drill residence from 10 yards halfway by means of the primary half.
Donnelly appeared set to take care of Abdul Ouattara’s cross till Mayo got here from behind to try a header in a communications breakdown.
Cercle Brugge’s Thibo Somers scores to make it 1-0
Killie improved after Robby McCrorie saved a 52nd-minute penalty from Kevin Denkey, final season’s high goalscorer within the Belgian high flight.
The save sparked Killie and their 2,500 followers into life however the guests couldn’t reap the benefits of a number of alternatives, and a 2-1 mixture defeat drops them right down to the Convention League to face Tromso within the third qualifying spherical.
The primary leg will likely be at Rugby Park subsequent week.
