As reported in the media this afternoon, defender Marc McAusland has left St Mirren to join Queen of the South. Saints manager Gus MacPherson had only learned this afternoon that Marc had signed for the Doonhamers but felt it would happen despite his efforts to try and keep the player with Saints.

He said, "I hear from reports that Marc McAusland has signed for Queen of the South.

"We did want to keep Marc here as we had offered him a two year deal but he chose not to sign it, which is every player's prerogative.

"I had known for some time that Queen of the South were interested in him but my only concern now is that Marc is no longer with St Mirren."

There was a bit of speculation earlier in the week about Saints playing a pre-season match against a Serie A side while in Italy at their training camp next month, Gus reckons it is too early to say that it will happen.

He said, "There have been some premature reports that we will be playing against Chievo while at our training camp week in Italy. The match is pencilled in but it is by no means certain to happen.

"It is very similar to last year when we played Mantova, it is there but it won't be confirmed one way or the other until we get over there."

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