St Mirren Manager Stephen Robinson to Expedite Alex Iacovitti’s Return Amidst Defensive Shortages

Stephen Robinson has acknowledged the necessity of expediting Alex Iacovitti’s return to play, indicating a lack of available time for a gradual reintroduction for the St Mirren defender. This urgency stems from the team’s current defensive shortages, with Alex Gogic suspended for Saturday’s match against St Johnstone and Charles Dunne sidelined by a hamstring injury. Iacovitti, who has been absent from play since August 31, has now recuperated from a hamstring tendon injury. His potential return is seen as a source of the “leadership and aggression” that Robinson believes the team requires, particularly after St Mirren allowed significant set-piece goals in consecutive weeks. The St Mirren manager stated, “Alex is very close to full fitness. We haven’t had the luxury of getting a game into him. He was on the bench last week, but sometimes needs must, and he’s a very professional boy, and he provides that for us.” He further added, “He might have to be thrown in long before he’s firing on all cylinders, with our injury situations and suspensions.” Robinson elaborated on Iacovitti’s qualities, saying, “Alex gives you that aggression and leadership. A real organiser, a guy who doesn’t want goals to go in the back of the net.” He continued, “Sometimes you get modern defenders who are more interested on the ball, but he’s a wee bit old-school, which we like. You need variation. We feel when he’s fully fit, he’ll provide that.” The manager also reflected on recent performances, stating, “We’ve lost two games now where we should have had points from last-minute goals and last-minute set plays.” He emphasized the need for certain attributes, adding, “You can do all the work in the world, but you have to have people that want to go and head the ball and dominate and do the dirty bits of football to gain them points, and we have to be better at that.” Robinson concluded by highlighting Iacovitti’s potential contribution: “Alex Iacovitti can give us that when he’s fully fit. We believe he can go and dominate that six-yard box, Mika Mandron when he’s on the pitch as well.”