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Saints search for new assistant with O'Carroll set to depart

St Mirren are on the hunt for a new assistant manager, with current number two Diarmuid O'Carroll set for a move away from the Paisley club.

The 37-year-old has been Stephen Robinson's assistant since February 2022, having previously worked with him at Motherwell and Morecambe.

O'Carroll was not present for St Mirren's 2-1 win over Hearts on Saturday and has been linked with a role with Newcastle's Under-21s.

"He is speaking to someone else at an under-21 position," said Robinson.

"Obviously, we've shown that we've got that staff in place to step up if that should happen.

"(First-team coach) Brian (Kerr) has come in and done great for me. Him and Jamie Langfield were a big part of the set-play. Credit to both of them, they've worked on the set-plays all week."

Robinson also praised "talisman" Toyosi Olusanya, whose goal ended St Mirren’s run of seven games without a win against struggling Hearts, who have since sacked head coach Steven Naismith.

"I don't know what the stats are but everything he touches at the minute has gone in," Robinson said of Olusanya.

"He should have more to be honest with you. He's a handful and a completely different player than what he was (when he arrived).

"But credit to him. The staff have worked really, really hard on him hitting the target and his timing and his runs. We're starting to see the fruition of that. He's been a real talisman for us, he's been excellent. There's real competition for places in that area now."