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'Loud environment' read the volume warning on my watch ahead of St Mirren's historic triumph over Valur.

It's not necessarily a surprise for noise levels to surge inside a football stadium - but for it to begin around an hour before kick-off and not end until well after full-time - well, that's special.

There was something magical in the air in Paisley last Thursday. It was an unforgettable, you-had-to-be-there experience. One which many of us feared might never come. 

The procession through Paisley towards the stadium, the TIFO spanning the entirety of the stadium and the historic result. It was a near-perfect night.

Remove the sloppy penalty concession which robbed Ellery Balcombe of a clean sheet and you're looking at a truly flawless evening.

For St Mirren to progress beyond the third qualifying night they'll need to be near-perfect again with SK Brann a far tougher opponent than Valur Reykjavik.

And the Norwegians will be backed by a noisy band of supporters in Paisley - something which ought to only further enhance the atmosphere.

If the press presence is anything to go by then there is already a stark difference in anticipation and interest from St Mirren's Euro rivals. 

There were no Icelandic members of the press inside the stadium last week - on Wednesday there were upwards of ten Norwegian representatives inside the bowels of the stadium for the SK Brann pre-match press conference. And they were confident.

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The Eliteserien club sit second after 18 league outings this season. They're in full flow of the season and have already taken a scalp in Conference League qualifying by unceremoniously dumping Go Ahead Eagles out in the round previous.

The first-leg against Valur was afforded to be an exercise in finding full fitness ahead of blowing the club away at home - the circumstances could little be more different this time.

St Mirren certainly have the quality to compete with Brann but there will be less room for error as was the case in Reykjavik with the fallback of a second leg in Paisley.

On Thursday, St Mirren have one objective: Keep the tie alive. Anything more than that is a huge success.

The away leg in Bergen will be challenging in a raucous environment packed with opposition support - so, if possible, doing some damage at home will be crucial. But avoiding taking a beating even more so.

St Mirren looked fairly sharp against Hibs on Sunday and appeared to have quickly settled into the rhythm of the season.

Against Brann, that trend must continue. Fail to match the pace from the first whistle and the hosts could quickly be punished. 

Stephen Robinson has echoed his desire to not just make up the numbers in Europe. By defeating Valur, St Mirren have proven their credentials in taking the competition seriously.

But the club would earn some serious kudos - and cash - if a triumph over SK Brann can be earned in the next week.

That begins on Thursday night - and will require every ounce of backing present in the win over Valur, perhaps even more with the standard of opposition increased.

Last week was special, this week could be too. 

AND ANOTHER THING

Stephen Robinson has responded to transfer links to Celtic defender Yuki Kobayashi.

The St Mirren manager has been linked with a swoop for the Japanese centre-back in recent reports.

However, Robinson was tight-lipped when quizzed on the transfer speculation on Wednesday.

"I've been linked with every player in Scotland so I don't pay any attention to that," said the St Mirren manager.

"We're well aware that Kobayashi is a very good footballer.

"For me to talk about another club's player, apart from in a good light, I wouldn't do that; it's not the way I work."

St Mirren previously negotiated with Celtic to land Kwon on a loan deal last season with the player and both clubs pleased with the outcome.

Should there be genuine interest in Kobayashi, then you'd expect Robinson would be in with a chance to strike a deal given his glowing reputation with Celtic and working relationship with Brendan Rodgers.

AND FINALLY

Some major decisions have to be made by Stephen Robinson in his team selection against SK Brann.

Mark O'Hara's absence is a huge blow - but there is enough depth in the squad to avoid it being a crisis.

Let's consider the possible starting side beginning with the obvious; Ellery Balcombe will start in goal.

Elvis Bwomono can continue to count himself unlucky not to start but Shaun Rooney cannot be benched. Alex Gogic, Marcus Fraser and Richard Taylor have formed a decent defensive understanding this season with Alex Iacovitti in line for more time off the bench. There is no question Jaden Brown will begin at left-back.

I'd expect the same trio from Sunday's win over Hibs to start, unless there are any fitness concerns, with Caolan Boyd-Munce deep, Roland Idowu on the left and Dennis Adeniran on the right of the central three.

Up front, it seems unlikely Toyosi Olusanya will be benched given his recent form, however with Mika Mandron back fully fit he could start ahead of Jonah Ayunga.

PREDICTED XI: Balcombe, Rooney, Fraser, Gogic, Taylor, Brown, Adeniran, Boyd-Munce, Idowu, Olusanya, Mandron.