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.
Take a look at the latest Scotland squad and regular faces Kenny McLean and John McGinn feature once more.
It brings immense pride to see two St Mirren youth graduates make it big for Scotland on countless occasions; the only slight gripe being a call-up wasn't forthcoming while they were in Paisley.
Both midfielders received call-ups to Scotland's top team within a year of moving on to Aberdeen and Hibs respectively.
McGinn and McLean are just two of a host of St Mirren youth products to help build the well-respected name of the youth academy; see Paul Lambert to Lewis Morgan.
There is no question over the tremendous work going on within the building already in producing the next batch of talented youngsters with Lewis Jamieson, Kieran Offord, Ethan Sutherland, Fraser Taylor and Luke Kenny all pushing for the first-team either at Ralston or out on loan.
However, less has been made over previous years of St Mirren first-team players being called to play for their country, perhaps unfairly at times.
Thankfully, that is something that is changing with no less than five St Mirren players headed out on international duty this week.
Alex Gogic will continue to play an instrumental role for Cyprus, Keanu Baccus and Ryan Strain again link up with the Australian squad, Alex Greive could add to his New Zealand caps and Conor McMenamin heads off for Northern Ireland duty.
Undoubtedly, the first reaction is that same pride for serving St Mirren players to be recognised for their country. But just as important is the unseen but crucially important impact it makes off the field.
With each Buddies player that heads out on international also goes the reputation of the club as a solid foundation or even proverbial launchpad for players' careers.
It's well-documented that players want to see a track record for development, success and international recognition when considering a new club.
For prospective players now there is a wealth of evidence of player development under Stephen Robinson and Diarmid O'Carroll, impressive recent league outings suggest another successful season and international recognition is blossoming with every call-up.
READ MORE: Why Stephen Robinson and St Mirren will continue to raise eyebrows
Baccus previously described himself as a bit of a gamble for St Mirren when he was jetted into the Paisley first-team from Western Sydney Wanderers. To an extent he was right.
It is, at least in part, a risk to put resources into signing players largely on footage - but it has paid off majorly with Baccus and Strain in particular.
The pair have been top performers for St Mirren throughout their time at the club and even if they both decide to move onto pastures new in the summer - contract talks have been ongoing with Buddies chiefs - then they will have proven their worth.
Sure, it might not tell in the bank balance if free transfers are agreed, but they would still be reference signings for the future.
Not only will they have contributed to at least one major success in breaking the top six last season, but they will also represent the immense opportunity presented when you join St Mirren.
That's why St Mirren must continue to explore international markets - it won't only serve to bolster the first-team playing squad but will also progress the reputation of the club and pay dividends in future player negotiations.
In Scotland, the transfer window is fiercely competitive but the advantage of having a reputation of a club held in high regard - in all aspects - can make that crucial difference for a player with offers on the table.
I'm not for a second suggesting Robinson and Co rip up the working formula of players the manager has worked with previously or totally ignore the vast market in Scotland and England.
Rather, when the opportunity arises - in reasonable measure - to bring in players from elsewhere with a view to putting them in the limelight - and shop window - to perform at club level with the ambition of an international call-up, then that should be seriously considered.
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