McGinn apologises after cup struggle

St Mirren skipper Stephen McGinn admits the fans were right to get on the side’s back following their disappointing display against Spartans.

The Buddies laboured to a 2-2 draw with the Lowland League champions on Tuesday night – requiring penalties to grab the bonus point in the Betfred Cup.

McGinn was introduced with the score sitting at 2-0 and the Saints facing a cup shock. However, the captain grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck as he netted his side’s first as they fought back to earn a share of the spoils.

There was some discontent among the fans at the full- time whistle and McGinn conceded he shared some of the frustration.

He told Express Sport: “It’s hard to say whether or not it is better to play like that before the season starts. It is never nice.

“We have got a real demand and we have set the tone the last 18 months of winning games here. It is not nice to come away from this place without that feeling.

“When we come here we don’t want the fans to accept not winning games. Winning games is something that we have done for the past 18 months and we want them to demand that from us.

“I wouldn’t ask for patience from them after that – as a St Mirren fan sitting at the side I was getting frustrated.”

McGinn was at a loss for a reason why the Buddies struggled following an impressive display against Kilmarnock last Friday.

Many had tipped Saints to storm to victory over their lower league opponents and McGinn conceded it should have been easier than it was.

He added: “It shouldn’t have been tricky. It should have been a lot easier than we made it for ourselves.

“It was a really frustrated dressing room and it was perhaps a reminder of how tough it can be to win games. We can’t just expect to turn up and win.

“It wasn’t a surprise because these guys are still good players. I have played with some of them at youth international level with Scotland and if you let them play then they can punish you.

“If you don’t respect the opposition and get in their faces and move the ball quick enough then these guys can bite you. They came through the same academies as the rest of us so they can play.

“But I couldn’t put my finger on what was wrong.

“There was quite a lot wrong as we weren’t clinical and we lost some really soft goals.”