Cup run ‘can save season’

Oran Kearney believes St Mirren are underdogs for the Buddies’Scottish Cup clash with Dundee United, but feels a cup run can save the Saints’ season.

United have invested heavily in their squad over the transfer window and while the Buddies boss is wary of the threat United pose, he believes cup success can help rejuvenate his team in the quest to beat the drop.

When asked if United are favourites for Saturday’s fourth-round tie, Kearney replied:“I’d say so, yeah.

“It’s definitely not Premier League against Championship in relation to the personnel and what’s been constructed there.

“If you look at the type of money Dundee United are spending on players, we couldn’t compete on that level. They’d far outpay any of the players.”

The St Mirren gaffer is refusing to prioritise the league over the cup, by putting out his strongest possible team on Saturday.

He added:“I feel that because of the predicament we’re in at this point in time, a cup run could bring real energy to us.

“Say we can get through on Saturday and get a good home draw again in the quarter-final and somehow get through that – all of a sudden you find yourself with the focus of a big semi-final coming up which I think filters into your league form as well, along with competition for places.”