Stephen Robinson’s biggest Christmas wish this year is to stay off Rightmove and finally bag himself a long-term stay in Paisley.
The Buddies boss has been an estate agent’s dream, living in 16 different houses in the last three decades since his playing days began in London at Tottenham Hotspur.
Having endured the nomadic lifestyle that football often demands, the Saints gaffer insists he’s determined to lay down a solid foundation now he’s back in Scotland.
And the 48-year-old hopes success with St Mirren will see him stay put at the SMiSA Stadium for years, not months, to come.
Robinson told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “It’s hard for your family because you’re going where you want to go to and you think it’s the right career move, but they have to traipse along with you and it’s very difficult for them.
"This is the 16th house I’ve lived in since I started out as a professional player 29 years ago, so it would be nice to be settled and call somewhere home.
“We can’t really complain because we choose this lifestyle and we’re stupid enough to do it, I suppose. I’ve just bought a nice house and we’re very happy with it, so I definitely don’t want to be somewhere else next Christmas!
“Having said that, given the precarious nature of the job, it’s hard to say that with any certainty in football.
“With the Premiership being such a small division, you’re two defeats away from being involved in a relegation battle and two wins away from being the best manager in the world.
“So that’s tough and it’s also really hard on your family life so, yes, it would be nice to stay here and build something.
“We’ve had to strip St Mirren down since we came here and now we need to rebuild the football club to a level where we can make it really sustainable while continuing to grow.
“I’m in this for the long haul and I think the people above me at the club believe that. We have a plan which we need to stick to.
“We also need stability, which St Mirren hasn’t had for a long time. Hopefully, I’m part of that.”
While Robinson has always distanced himself from speculation, that hasn’t stopped the bookies touting him for other roles already this season.
Saints fans were relieved to see Luton Town and Nothern Irelend hire Rob Edwards and Micheal O’Neill respectively after Robinson was heavily linked with both jobs.
And when asked about being linked to other positions in recent months, Robinson explained: “There’s nothing I can do about that. I don’t go on social media, so most of that stuff passes me by, unless one of my sons calls me to tell me about it.
“They ask me if I’m going here or going there and I just laugh at them, because they’re thinking ‘where are we going to visit him next’.
“But I haven’t spoken to any club or any national association since I came here. I’m linked to other jobs because of my previous playing or coaching history and there’s nothing I can do about that.
“I was mentioned in connection with the Hearts job years ago, but I never spoke to them so it’s just speculation. It’s nice to be mentioned, but there’s no truth in most of these things.
“You have to ignore it and stay totally focused. If you take your mind off the job and your eye off the ball then you can end up struggling. So I pay no attention to that kind of thing.
“I know what we’re trying to achieve here and anything else is irrelevant to me, to be honest.”
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