St Mirren manager Craig McLeish expressed satisfaction with his team’s 2-0 victory over Falkirk on the opening day of the Premiership season but emphasized his expectation for sustained high performance. The Paisley club secured the win with two goals from Killian Phillips, setting a positive tone for their campaign.

McLeish acknowledged the strong start as a benchmark for the squad but insisted that he will continue to push his players to maintain and exceed those standards throughout the season. “It’s just one game, it’s just day one, we have to build on it,” he said. He also noted the crucial role played by the club’s supporters, praising the vocal backing from what appeared to be a sold-out away section. "The support from the fans was magnificent... we need that this season," McLeish added.

Having narrowly avoided relegation last term by winning the Premiership play-off final, St Mirren had been predicted to struggle again this season and face challenges at the lower end of the table. Despite this, McLeish voiced strong confidence in his squad’s potential and urged his players to develop a greater sense of self-belief.

“There will be doubt, there’s uncertainty,” he acknowledged, “but even saying that to the players, they need to start believing in themselves as much as I do.” McLeish highlighted his commitment to the group, stating, “I love them, I love working with them, I’ve got so much confidence in them.” He added that with increased confidence, the team could "try and achieve something really special" over the course of the season.

The victory and McLeish’s message set ambitious tones for a St Mirren side looking to improve on last season’s survival, signaling a determined approach as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the Premiership.