Ross relies on recent Parkhead experience

JACK ROSS hopes facing Celtic at Parkhead with Alloa Athletic earlier in the season can help him prepare St Mirren for next month’s Scottish Cup quarter-final in Glasgow.

But the Buddies boss is under no illusions just how difficult it is going to be against the runaway Premiership leaders.

Before switching to St Mirren in October, Ross steered part-time Alloa to the last eight of the Betfred Cup and led them to a narrow 2-0 defeat against the Hoops just a few weeks earlier.

The Wasps won plaudits for their steely display before finally having their resistance broken by an 83rd-minute James Forrest strike and Moussa Dembele’s last-minute goal.

There was a sense of deja vu for Ross after St Mirren were paired with Celtic and he has confessed to cursing his luck at Sunday’s draw.

He said: “It’s the draw that everybody who has progressed to the quarterfinals wanted to avoid, simply because of the form Celtic are in this season.

“With it being at their stadium only makes it even more difficult.

“But I’ve got experience of going there this season, at the same stage of the League Cup, so I know first-hand how difficult it is. But I also know what can be achieved on the night.

“With the conversations I’ve had with some of the players already, I know how much they’re looking forward to it.”

Ross reckons his experience of taking Alloa to Parkhead can only help when it comes to the tie on March 4 or 5.

But, even though he believes he now has better players at his disposal at St Mirren, he knows Celtic have moved up the gears since that night five months ago.

He told the club’s website: “It’s different circumstances and a different competition. And I would suggest that Celtic are even stronger than they were then, because they’re into this flow of games and performances at the moment that is incredible.

“But it’s good that I’ve got recent experience of going there and seeing first-hand how the play.

“So, it will help on the preparation side.”