This piece is from yesterday's Buddies Briefing newsletter, which is emailed out at 6pm every Thursday. To receive our full, free St Mirren newsletter straight to your email inbox, click here.

'It's not about the destination, the joy is in the journey.'

Well, whoever first penned that phrase - apart from causing an Instagram caption epidemic - certainly never experienced the trials and tribulations of making the top six in the Scottish Premiership.

Alright, that's a niche experience, but they didn't follow a football club, that's for sure.

Football is a results business and for St Mirren, stock is up in recent seasons. This weekend presents the opportunity to confirm a spot in the top six for a second-year running.

Throw into the mix the legitimate hope of a European place and it's understandable that feelings in Ferguslie would be at a high.

That said, it's worth reflecting on the rocky road that has led to this moment. Just this week I stumbled across a post on X (thanks to the superbly named Andy Ballon d'Orman account) glancing back at very different emotions two years ago.

In the wake of a 4-2 defeat to Motherwell, there were comparisons made between Stephen Robinson and Alan Stubbs and wild accusations of a manager who had 'lost the dressing room'.

History proves both takes to be wildly inaccurate but also points to a fairly remarkable rise in results and growing expectations in Paisley.

It's fitting that we played Motherwell last weekend and left disappointed with a 1-1 draw. That's progress, that's the journey.

Of course, there will be the obvious - and largely correct - verdict that the finishing place is all that matters and performances, nearly-moments and horror shows mean nothing come crunch time.

It's taken a while personally to adopt the position of revelling in the journey - but once you do, wow.

It's exhilarating, it's exhausting, it's encapsulating. There is nothing like it.

Don't get me wrong, a European spot would mean the world to everyone associated with the club - but it's not the be-all and end-all.

The same goes for the top six, it is something to always strive for, but it certainly doesn't define following the football club.

Far more impactful are those journeys home after an inexplicable 5-2 defeat to Kilmarnock, the sheer elation of two stoppage-time goals against Aberdeen and the chaos in the stands that followed.

Don't forget those anxious moments watching scores trickle in around the grounds elsewhere to seal a top-half finish or being ridiculed as a TikToker strolled it in a cameo appearance in a Renfrewshire Cup tie.

Maybe the modern-day philosophers/wannabe influencers (delete as appropriate) do have a point. It's been some journey the last couple of seasons.

Perhaps soon I'll join them and share snaps of an adventure to far-off lands that no one asked for - I hear the Europa (Conference) League is nice this time of year.

AND ANOTHER THING

Ryan Strain's return brings another dimension to St Mirren.

Elvis Bwomono and Ryan Flynn deputized well enough but Strain is a phenom in the Buddies line-up.

Not only is he a more than adequate defender - he also causes endless troubles to opposition rearguards.

Even in the 45-minute showing at Fir Park, Strain was a handful.

The Australian international was the difference last time Hearts were in Paisley, and if St Mirren are to be successful once more then there's reason to believe he'll play a major role.

AND FINALLY

It's exciting to see the finishing touches made to the Mirren mile before being officially unveiled on Saturday.

One banner perfectly encapsulates the growing feeling at the club and local community that is imperative to our success.

"St Mirren is

Paisley

is St Mirren".