Gillies said: "The deal was almost signed, sealed and delivered. However, John Coughlin and Gus MacPherson came back to me with an improved offer and a two-year deal which gives me even more security in the current football climate. Both John and Gus are extremely ambitious and have big ideas about what they want to achieve at this club. I quit once to try my luck in the top flight with Aberdeen and to be honest I came really close to leaving again. St Mirren have been a big part of my life and this contract will bring me up to 10 years at the club. That is an achievement I am extremely proud of as not many players stay with one club for that length of time. Hopefully next season we can emulate the team from three years ago and regain our place in the SPL."
These quotes indicate that Gillies is probably still on SPL wages, the only player at Love Street to be on them. It's interesting to note that the 2 year contract helped persuade him to stay. The board have offered several players a 2 year deal, and this tactic appears to be bringing in players we may not have managed to get.
Meanwhile, Partick Thistle site The Harry Wraggs reports that Saints are looking at Jamie Buchan, who they released a few weeks ago. Buchan is a versatile player and with Saints boss John Coughlin saying today he is after 2 strikers, a goalie and a centre back, Buchan would be a good player to have in defence.