FRANK McAvennie, the former Celtic striker, yesterday went back to his

roots at Love Street, Paisley, where his professional career began. The

Scottish internationalist, who scored twice for Falkirk during a month's

trial, agreed to join St Mirren in the first division after the

Brockville club made a late effort to persuade him to stay.

Falkirk had appeared to decide to let the striker go without renewing

his monthly contract or offering a longer one, but changed their mind

and asked 34-year-old McAvennie to carry on with them, but by then he

had been approached by Jimmy Bone, manager of St Mirren, and opted to go

back to the club who took him into the limelight in the first place.

''It is a tremendous thrill to be going back to the place where it all

started for me,'' said McAvennie.

He will bring the kind of experience that Bone wants to help his many

promising youngsters along at Love Street, starting today with a tough

home match against unbeaten Airdrie.

Dunfermline underlined their promotion ambitions by paying Brechin

#50,000 for Marc Millar. He is included in the squad which visits Ayr

United, who have been working hard all week in an attempt to stop

conceding goals.

Meanwhile, John McStay is on his travels again. Since leaving Raith

Rovers, he has had a spell with Falkirk and was on a one-month contract

with Hamilton. He now has signed a short-term deal with Irish club

Portadown.

Hamilton introduce youngster Steve Renwick to their top squad for the

meeting with Clydebank, who also have a new face with the inclusion of

provisional signing, central defender Gary Keane, of Calton, as Tom

Currie is suspended.

Dundee travel to Kirkcaldy hoping Gerry Britton and George Shaw can

continue their recent good form, and that the porous Dens Park defence

will not resume their previous indiscretions after having kept a blank

sheet last week.

Stranraer have Steve Cody, Darren Henderson, and Tommy Sloan doubtful

for the visit to St Johnstone.