St Mirren are set to kick off the Premier Sports Cup defence against Dumbarton this afternoon, with manager Craig McLeish close to sealing a deal for West Brom striker Eseosa Sule and trialists Stephen Mallan and Dylan Reid still training at the club.

McLeish arrived at the helm last season and has already guided the Buddies to a cup triumph. He told reporters that the squad feels "ready to scrap" for the silverware, emphasizing confidence over nerves. The manager also hinted that new faces - Jacob Chapman, Samuel Ramos, Ryan Carr and Chris Mochrie - could feature in the upcoming match, adding depth to a side that sits 10th in the Premiership with 30 points after 33 games.

Sule, a 20‑year‑old forward from West Brom, is described by McLeish as a player the club "think[s] really highly of". While paperwork isn’t final, the manager believes the deal is in its final stages, though it may not be completed before the cup tie. If the transfer goes through, Sule would become McLeish’s sixth summer signing, bolstering a forward line that has scored 27 goals this season while conceding 48.

Both trialists occupy positions that McLeish says are not a priority at the moment. He explained that budget constraints limit spending on non‑essential roles, and the club still needs to address a left‑sided centre‑back spot. Mallan and Reid have been kept informed of their status and are free to explore other opportunities if the situation doesn’t change.

McLeish stressed that the Buddies should aim higher than mere survival. "Why can we not finish top six? Why can we not qualify for Europe?" he asked. The cup match offers a chance to build momentum, test new signings, and prove that last year’s success was no fluke.

St Mirren travel to Cliftonhill, where Dumbarton’s ground is still under renovation. The Buddies will likely field a mix of seasoned cup winners and hopeful newcomers, hoping to keep the trophy in Paisley. With the league position precarious and a goal difference of ‑21, a win could spark a much‑needed lift in confidence.

As of 11 July 2026, St Mirren sit 10th in the Premiership, holding 30 points from 7 wins, 9 draws and 17 losses. Their recent form reads W‑D‑D‑W‑L.