Saints boss Stephen Robinson insists he’s learned not to take it personally anymore when a player decides to leave the club.
The experienced manager is currently waiting to see if key players Charles Dunne and Curtis Main will stay in Paisley next season, with their contracts set to expire in the summer.
While he hopes the pair follow in the footsteps of the likes of Mark O’Hara and Trevor Carson and remain Buddies, the St Mirren gaffer won’t hold it against them if they decide to move on after giving their all for their badge during their time at the SMiSA so far.
Robinson told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “We have made offers to Curtis and Charles and that is still ongoing.
“The two of them have been fantastic for us this season. It is important to keep the core of players together.
“It means you might only sign four or five players this summer, instead of 11 or 12. Martin Foyle [head of recruitment] and I sat down over the international break and discussed things.
“We hope the boys sign deals, but sometimes you have to wish them well and they move on.
“We want to build on what we have done and keep that group together. It’s credit to boys like Carson, Marcus Fraser and Greg Kiltie who have signed new deals.
“They have all done well for us and they would have had other options. It’s great the boys want to commit.
“But the ones who haven’t yet have given everything they can to the club already.
“We are a club that still sells players so when we are speaking to boys, we tell them when they sign a contract it isn’t for life.
“I used to take things personally if players moved on, but I have matured and I understand the parameters in football.
“We can never change someone’s life in terms of money if they play here. The atmosphere we have here is incredible, but players at St Mirren won’t be financially set up.
“They probably wouldn’t be set up for three weeks, never mind three years. So they will have other opportunities.
“Some of the boys we have offered deals to are a bit older and it could be their last big contract to make money to look after their family.
“I understand people’s decisions and whether it is a handshake of ‘goodbye and thank you’ or them resigning a new deal, then I will be happy for them.”
As well as Dunne and Main, St Mirren have also looked to tie down talented academy products Jay Henderson and Lewis Jamieson on new deals.
Winger Henderson has shone in the Highlands for Inverness in the second half of the season, helping them reach the Scottish Cup semi-finals, while striker Jamieson enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Airdrie before being brought back to Paisley to help ease an injury crisis up front.
Robinson hopes the young duo will return and become first team regulars. He said: “Jay and Lewis have also been offered contracts as well.
“We took the decision to put both of them on loan. Lewis went to Airdrie early on and then we brought him back.
“We took a hit with Jay at Christmas to try to get him game time, because we don’t have a development squad.
“So we are hoping to get the rewards of his stint at Inverness. Hopefully he signs his deal and is ready to go for next season.”
While his contract doesn’t expire this summer, the Saints are already looking to extend Australia international Keanu Baccus’ deal in a bid to ward off any potential suitors after a magnificent first season in the stripes to date.
Robinson added: “Keanu is obviously someone we want to keep and his deal is up next summer.
“Players will have options whether they sign deals or not, but no matter what their contract situation they will be committed to St Mirren until the end of the season.”
READ MORE:
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
