Season 2020-21

With uncertainty still surrounding the sporting world due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Jim Goodwin began rebuilding his squad with the addition of Goalkeeper Jak Alnwick from Rangers and defender Richard Tait from Motherwell.

The squad was further boosted by the arrival of defenders Marcus Fraser and Joe Shaughnessy. The loan market brought in Nathan Sheron (Fleetwood Town) and Isak Thorvaldsson from Norwich City. Unfortunately, Thorvaldsson failed to settle and left after just two matches. The season started well with 2 wins in the first three matches.

With the Covid pandemic still affecting daily life, Saints were thrown into turmoil when their two first choice goalkeepers were tested positive for the virus meaning that all three registered keepers had to isolate and were unavailable for selection. Despite other teams having games cancelled in relation to the pandemic, Saints were told that their game was to go ahead and had less than 24hrs to find another keeper. They signed Zdenek Zlamal from Hearts on an emergency loan.

The January transfer window saw Eamonn Brophy arrive from Kilmarnock, initially on loan, after signing a three year pre-contract agreement with Saints. Also coming in was German forward Collin Quaner.

Saints managed to progress to semi-finals at Hampden in both the League Cup and Scottish Cup, losing 0-1 to Livingston and 1-2 to St. Johnstone respectively. However the highlight in the cups had to be the despatching of league champions Rangers in the Scottish Cup quarter-final at St. Mirren Park, being the first team to beat Rangers in a competitive match. Taking the lead early into the second half and holding out til the 88th minute when Connor Goldson fired home Rangers' equaliser, Saints pushed forward for one more attack before extra time, with Conor McCarthy rifling home a last gasp winner in the 93rd minute.

Ultimately the season ended with Saints pushing for a place in the top six, only to be denied on the final day before the split on goal difference. Saints finished seventh, our highest league finish since the 1980s.