It would have been far more surprising had Shaun Rooney not written his name in the history books as St Mirren played their first European fixture in Paisley for 37 years.

The full-back, 28, became the first St Mirren player to score in continental football since Kenny McDowall against Tromso at Love Street back in 1987.

But there was expectation he could play a starring role having developed a reputation on the big occasion scoring in both cup finals for St Johnstone in 2021.

Rooney had been forced to watch the first leg against Valur from the stands due to a suspension from his time at St Johnstone but wasted little time in making his mark on his competitive debut for his new club.

"That happens everywhere I go to be fair," joked Rooney when asked about supporters singing his name following his 15th-minute opener in the 4-1 victory. "It's obviously brilliant hearing the fans singing your name and I enjoyed it.

"It's nice. It's good to get a goal and I think I make history everywhere I go! 

"It was a good night and scoring on my debut was a nice touch. I went over to Iceland last week and was gutted to be sitting it out through suspension.

"It is huge for the club. This is why I joined a club like St Mirren, for European success and stuff like that.

"Hopefully we can go through to the group stages and keep on going but we will take it one tie at a time. It's Norway next and we're looking forward to that."

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Rooney returned to Scotland this summer to sign a two-year deal in Paisley. The switch came as the defender left Fleetwood having previously turned down St Mirren to head down south.

And the decision has been vindicated already with Rooney settled at the club after a turbulent period with Fleetwood.

"I'm a lot happier being back up here beside my family," said Rooney. "I loved it at Fleetwood for the first season under Scott Brown then Lee Johnson came in and things weren't perfect.

"I was in the freezer but Charlie Adam came in and I started playing again. I had a few niggles here and there but I thought I performed really well."

A special week for Rooney - who celebrated his birthday last Friday - will be capped off by a visit from partner Heather Watson who missed the match as she travelled back from competing for Team GB at the Olympics.

"I know Heather," grinned Rooney when asked about the tennis professional. "I was gutted for her because they got beat in the Olympic doubles.

"She was on the train to come up on Friday. Since she didn't come up for my birthday I hope I have got huge birthday presents to open up!"