Winning cup with Saints? I Hudder to think about it
Collin wants repeat of promotion glory... but didn’t know Saints had KO’d Rangers before he arrived
ST MIRREN new boy Collin Quaner had no idea about the Buddies’ Betfred Cup giantkilling of Rangers before he arrived in Paisley last week.
But the German striker knows all about the sweet taste of victory as an underdog after playing a part in Huddersfield upsetting the odds to win the Championship play-off final four years ago.
Quaner lapped up glory with David Wagner’s side after emerging as a sub at Wembley in the nail-biting penalty shoot-out win over Reading.
Now, just days after arriving in Paisley, the 29-year-old frontman is already targeting a similar shock with Saints.
Quaner is desperate to force himself into Jim Goodwin’s thoughts with a semi-final against Livingston just over a week away.
Ahead of this today’s trip to St Johnstone the striker said: “I didn’t know much about Scottish football before St Mirren came in for me.
“I wasn’t aware they’d beaten Rangers to get to the semi-final.
“But then when the interest came I looked into it and saw the result and what is ahead for the team.
“Having a semifinal so early in my time here is great. It’s a real bonus for me and will be a good experience. Cups are always special and I have a feeling already that it’s big for St Mirren. “Kicking Rangers out of the cup was a great achievement and now we want to get to the final. “We will see if I am a lucky mascot or not. I would be happy if I am. “I have always had that feeling in my career that the underdog can do well. “But getting promoted to the Premier League with Huddersfield showed how important it is to have characters and spirit. We had lads who believed in each other and lifted us up.
“That’s the main reason why we were so successful at Huddersfield and the gaffer David Wagner made us believe in each other.
“That showed me what is possible in football. In fact, anything is possible.
“Why can’t St Mirren do the same in the cup? I see the same character in our dressing that I did in Huddersfield’s. We can definitely win the cup and that would be brilliant.”
Quaner hasn’t kicked a ball since last summer’s loan switch to Ipswich ended but kept in shape by training with Schalke and insists he’s ready to hit the ground running.
Former Buddies hero Aaron Mooy was a pal at the Terriers and helped sell him on the switch to Paisley.
Quaner said: “When I joined, Aaron sent me a jokey message and said, ‘You trying to play for the same clubs as me?’
“He is a good guy and we had a great time together. I heard he is a bit of a legend at St Mirren. It’s a good sign for me that Aaron had a good time here.”