We can’t let the disappointment get the better of us

St Mirren defender Gary MacKenzie insists there is plenty for Saints to be proud of after reaching the Irn-Bru Cup final.

MacKenzie cut a gutted figure following the clash with Dundee United, but he concedes that it is paramount that the Buddies don’t let the disappointment of losing get the better of them as they bid to beat the drop.

And the former Dundee and MK Dons man says that the tie could have gone either way as he rued his side’s missed opportunites.

He said:“I think in the first half we had by far the better chances and we should be taking at least one of them.

“To be fair, Tony Andreu scored a cracker to put them ahead, but the response from our boys was good to get us level straightaway.

“We continued to make a game of it but the match got a bit stretched in the second half.

“We were a bit thin on the ground, with regards to our squad, because folk were cup tied and had a few injuries, so maybe that played a part in the latter stages of the game when they had the fresh legs which we maybe didn’t.

“It was disappointing, but I think we have proved yet again that we are a better side than our league position shows.

“We have matched them toe-to-toe and we want to win the cup.

“But, I think we can be proud of the way we played.”

The St Mirren supporters stayed long after the final whistle to applaud their side from the park after watching Dundee United lift the trophy.

And MacKenzie thanked the fans for the support and effort they have put into getting behind the side in recent weeks, adding that it helps to drive the team on.

He said:“They appreciate the effort that we have put in and I don’t think you can question any of us to a man for our commitment and desire to try and win the cup.

“The part that they play in lifting us through the tough period is crucial.

“For the past couple of months, they have been brilliant. They have turned out in their numbers both home and away.

“They want to see boys going out there, wearing the jersey and giving everything that they have

We have proved that we are a better side than our league position shows Gary MacKenzie

got to keep the club in this division.

“We don’t seem beaten now, so to get a goal back straight away and to claw ourselves back into the game and have really good chances shows that.

“The game could have gone either way, but I think our overall performance was very good. Obviously, there is disappointment but we need to take the positives from the game.

“We got to a final, competed against a team that is near the top of the table and proved there isn’t much of a gap between the two sides.”