on 13 September against Nottingham Forest and went on to make over 40 appearances for the side during the season scoring a career high total of 11 goals, including a 20-yard volley on 12 May in the 2–0 win over Reading in the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-final. His form led manager Owen Coyle to label him "the best free transfer of the season". In the 2009–10 season, with Burnley now in the Premier League for the first time in 33 years, Thompson's opportunities were mainly limited to cameo roles. Following Coyle's departure to rival Bolton and was replaced by Brian Laws, He scored his first Premier League goal for Burnley in a 2–1 defeat by Wolves on 13 March 2010. Despite Burnley being relegated, Thompson went on to score three goals in the remaining matches, against Sunderland, Birmingham City and Tottenham Hotspur. Thompson was offered a new one year-contract by Burnley, which he accepted. In the 2010–11 season, with Burnley back in the Championship after one season in the Premier League, Thompson again saw his opportunities limited. Thompson would score an equaliser against his former club, Cardiff City, in a 1–1 draw. Thompson said after the match: "It's important we kept up our momentum, going into these two bigs games at Watford and Cardiff, and taking four out of six points is a good return, on the back of our win against Norwich before that. We're building momentum and looking forward. This is the first time certainly I've felt we're really picking up a bit of speed here." After the 2010–11 season, Thompson was released by the club. Following his release, Thompson announced he would return to Scotland for the first time since leaving Rangers for Cardiff City. In addition, Thompson stated he enjoyed playing for the club. St Mirren Steven Thompson signed a two-year deal with boyhood heroes St Mirren on 1 June 2011. After the move, Thompson says his main objective at the club is to aim for to climb the SPL table. He made his home debut at St Mirren Park against Morton in the Renfrewshire Cup match, which St Mirren won 4–2. Thompson scored two goals in the match. Thompson won, and then missed, a penalty kick on his debut against Dunfermline Athletic on the opening game of the season. After the match, Boss Danny Lennon believes Thompson should remain as a penalty