KEY BATTLES

Joe Shaughnessy v Chris Kane

Galway boy Shaughnessy will relish the prospect of preventing his former club from winning both domestic cups this season.

The 28-year-old had four seasons at Mcdiarmid Park, qualifying for Europe twice, but it’s only since signing for the other Saints last summer that he’s shown the form which saw him compared to Richard Gough during his early days with Aberdeen.

This is shaping up to be his best-ever season since Kane (above) made his debut for the Perth club eight years ago.

His seven goals has already eclipsed his previous best tally for them, including strikes against Celtic at Parkhead and, crucially, the equaliser against Rangers at Ibrox in the quarter-final as well as a winner against today’s opponents in January.

Jamie Mcgrath v Ali Mccann

Along with playmaker Jake DoyleHayes, Mcgrath has arguably been Jim Goodwin’s most-successful signing for the Buddies.

He has made a huge contribution this season, with 16 goals from 41 starts from midfield and the former Dundalk star (below) is his team’s most-potent goal threat. Critics will point out that the majority of his goals have come from the penalty spot but his conversion rate (10/11 so far) says it all for the courage and composure of the 24-year-old.

St Mirren will do well to hold on to him this summer.

One-club man Mccann has been at Mcdiarmid Park since he was 12. Now, nine years later, he’s hoping for a second cup winner’s medal in three months.

The midfield powerhouse has become an automatic pick and his non-stop style has made him a fans’ favourite.

There’s more to his game than just energy, though. He faced up to Paris St-germain’s Marco Verrati for Northern Ireland in Italy in March and gave a good account of himself, although he could do with adding goals to his game.

Jon Obika v Jason Kerr

At 30, Obika is one of the senior statesmen in a youthful side. But the burly target man is also the club’s leading goalscorer from open play and his eight goals this campaign include a late winner against the Betfred Cup holders in January.

One of the most underrated players in the Paisley Saints’ squad, the former Spurs striker is a moreversatile front man than he’s given credit for and he does a lot of unselfish work for the benefit of the team.

Kerr, 24, didn’t make his debut for the Perth outfit until three weeks short of his 21st birthday in 2018, yet he replaced Shaughnessy as the skipper when he left the following year.

The 24-year-old claimed that beating Rangers in the last round felt like winning the trophy itself but won’t need reminding that St Mirren beat Steven Gerrard’s men in the last-eight of the Betfred Cup and didn’t make the final.