Let’s leave them in the dark
Reilly’s ready for Lothian
Gavin Reilly insists Saints won’t let the lights go out on their cup campaign – despite being in a rush to finish Saturday’s match before it gets dark.
St Mirren’s clash against Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale has been brought back to the earlier kick-off time of 1pm, due in part to a lack of floodlights at the East of Scotland side’s Saughton Enclosure.
A standard 3pm start would have been impossible to complete at this time of year.
The striker revealed that he has past experience of playing at the ground, following a spell on loan at Gretna 2008 earlier in his career – and he admits that the ground is a lot different to what a number of his teammates are accustomed to, following years at a higher level.
“We have got to get the game played before it gets dark, basically, so good job that it’s at an early stage of the competition,” Reilly joked.
“Thankfully, it doesn’t need to go to extra time or penalties because then we would have a problem.
“I have played there a couple of times myself, it’s a tight wee ground, but hopefully we have got the quality to go through.
“I went there when I was on loan at Gretna 2008 in a few cup games and it is a bit different.
“It is old fashioned, with no floodlights and just a running track around it, so it won’t be what some of the guys here are used to.”
Reilly has been in blistering form since swapping Hearts for the Buddies over the summer.
Topping the side’s scoring charts, he revealed he is hopeful of adding a few more to his tally come tomorrow in a bid to fire Saints through to the second round.
He added: “We are looking forward to it.
“We will give them the respect that they are due, but we are going there wanting to win.
“It will be like a World Cup final for them. Any of those lower league teams, regardless of who it is, it is a cup final for them and they will be doing everything in their power to not lose the match.
“Being at a club like St Mirren that is what you have got to expect regardless of who you are playing.
“We have got to use our strength to our advantage going to their place.
“Whatever game you play in you are just looking to score as many goals as you can as a striker.
“Saturday is no different.”