The Irish Independent understands that the Scottish side were willing to pay a five-figure sum for the 26-year-old’s signature, but their bid was rejected last month.
In November, the League of Ireland champions announced that Boyd had penned a new deal at Tolka Park although it’s understood that news was about his one-year extension being triggered. Shels are planning to offer the Swords man a new deal and talks remain ongoing.
St Mirren announced the signing of ex-Waterford striker Owen Oseni (21) on New Year’s Day and it remains unclear if the club will make another attempt for Boyd before the transfer window shuts.
Boyd’s strong finish in Shelbourne’s triumphant campaign has attracted some interest from clubs across the water, including Scottish Premiership side St Mirren, after he hit 10 league goals last term – more than any other teammate.
Three of those strikes came in the Reds’ final three games of the season, as crucial wins over Waterford, Drogheda and Derry City saw Damien Duff’s men clinch a first Premier Division crown since 2006. Boyd won the Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month award for October, and also hit a purple patch last May with a run of five goals in six games.
St Mirren currently sit fifth in the Scottish top flight and already have two Dubliners on their books in Ireland U-21 cap Killian Phillips (on loan from Crystal Palace) and ex-Waterford and Bohemians midfielder Roland Idowu (on loan from Shrewsbury).
Ahead of his fourth season with the Reds in 2025, Boyd has hit 30 goals in 76 appearances for the Drumcondra side since signing from Finn Harps in November 2021.
Duff’s men kick off the 2025 campaign at Tolka Park on February 7 in the President’s Cup curtain-raiser against FAI Cup champions Drogheda, while their title defence gets underway at home to Derry City on February 14.
Meanwhile, five-time League of Ireland Premier Division winner Seán Hoare has moved to St Patrick’s Athletic from Shamrock Rovers.
It’s a return to Inchicore for the defender, who spent five seasons at Richmond Park before embarking on successful spells at Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers.
The 30-year-old will be reunited with Stephen Kenny, who signed him at the end of the 2016 campaign for Dundalk, where he won two Premier Division titles (2018 and 2019), two FAI Cups (2018 and 2020) and two League Cups (2017 and 2019).
Kenny’s presence in Dublin 8 played a major part in his return.
“St Pat’s has a soft spot in my heart, so I’m delighted to be back and I’m looking forward to getting going with the lads,” said Hoare, who has signed a multi-year deal.
“One of the reasons I’ve come back is to work with Stephen Kenny again. He’s the best manager in the country, he’s proven that at such a high level and he’s proven that he wins things in the League of Ireland.
“Things have aligned and I feel like this is the right move for me at this time and I’m really happy.”
Following the additions of Simon Power and Barry Baggley before Christmas, Kenny has now welcomed his third new signing of the off-season.
“Seán is a high-calibre player with an excellent attitude who will bring a lot to the dressing room and the club, and we’re delighted to welcome him back,” said Kenny.
