Toyosi Olusanya eyes St Mirren Euro repeat as he mulls over new contract

Toyosi Olusanya eyes St Mirren Euro repeat as he mulls over new contract

Toyosi Olusanya insists he is firmly focused on football after being offered a new contract by St Mirren.

Buddies boss Stephen Robinson has offered the strike star fresh terms after an impressive 18 months in the black-

and-white stripes.

The Londoner – who has previously been with Middlesbrough and AFC Wimbledon – is a free agent in the summer

so has plenty to ponder. But he has assured Saints fans that he won’t take his eye off the ball – with his attention

entirely on firing the club back into Europe.

“I just want to work hard every hard and score as many goals, and win as many games, as I can to try and take the

club in Europe again. I want to focus on all the important stuff in training and in games and leave everything else to

sort itself out.

“I think every decision when it comes to contract time is important, regardless of the journey you have had. I’m

enjoying my football here. I enjoy my football here and I love the fans, the team and the staff.

“The gaffer brings out the best in us and regardless of whether you have a new contract or not, every game is

important and you set up to do your best.”

Another player mulling over a new deal is Olusanya’s pal Richard Taylor who netted the winner against the Dons –

his first goal for the club.

“I’m buzzing for Richard,” Olusanya added. “He was robbed of one earlier this season and I think the season before

he scored one but it was disallowed. He is such a threat from corners, his leap is impeccable and his connection with

the ball is always good.”

Olusanya has netted seven times so far this season and now wants to hit new heights. He said: “A lot of the boys are

creating chances for the strikers and so things are going well.

“I could have had more goals when I think of the chances that I’ve missed and I’m very critical of myself. I just want

to be better than I was last season.

“I’ve managed to match my tally from last season so it’s just a case of keeping on getting better and focusing on being

an important player for the team.”

Saints travel to Tannadice to face Dundee United in the Premiership tomorrow on the back of two 1-0 defeats to Jim

Goodwin’s men so far this term.

“Nothing is personal,” Olusanya added when asked if the team owe the Tangerines one this weekend. “They’ve had

the upper hand in the last two games but we will focus on wnat we know we can do on Saturday.

“To get this win [over Aberdeen] after picking up seven points from nine is really positive. The boys are starting to gel.

“I feel like we have generated some momentum. We’ve gone back to our old selves – setting our press and not giving

teams a minute – been hard to beat and we’ve shown our quality.”

Meanwhile, Saints gaffer Robinson reckons Peter Urminsky has what it takes to be St Mirren’s No 1. The big Slovak

stopper has been a back-up since joining from Spartak Trnava almost four years ago.

The 25-year-old’s last appearance came in a 3-0 defeat at home to Rangers on the final day of the 2022-23 campaign.

However, Robbo insists there is a first-team future for Urminsky who has signed a contract extension keeping him at

the club until 2027.

Urminsky is behind on-loan Brentford custodian Ellery Balcombe in the Saints pecking order but hones his skills

under the guidance of goalie coach Jamie Langfield. Robbo wants him to play more matches and feels he can

compete for the top job as early as the beginning of next term.

“We believe Peter is a really good young goalkeeper,” the manager said. “Our challenge now is that we need to get

him experience.

“He’s pushed Ellery all the way this season and now we’re looking to get him game time, whether that’s in our first-

team or a loan option, because we believe at the start of next season he’s a real viable option of being our No 1.

“We want to develop him but we also feel he is very close to being a first-team starter. We believe he’s got a big future

in the game.

“Credit to Jamie. He found him and has developed him. Peter’s confidence has grown naturally as he’s trained with

the first team and we believe he has all the attributes to be a top-class goalkeeper.”

Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk/