St Mirren’s season is riding on dream of Scottish Cup glory
It might only be a fourth round tie, but tonight’s clash between St Mirren and Inverness has something of a cup final feel for the Buddies.
That’s because tonight’s result will have a huge bearing on whether the Saints season is deemed to be a success or not, especially in the eyes of the supporters.
While the club’s board will rightly see comfortably regaining their Premiership status for the first time in years – in a pandemic – as hugely successful, the Paisley side’s fans’ expectations have yet to ultimately been satisfied.
That’s because, as much as football fans can understand the financial significance of cup runs and staying in the top flight, it’s not something that will ultimately be remembered in 20 or 30 years’ time.
I am in no way playing down the incredible Betfred Cup run that saw Jim Goodwin’s side pull off two memorable upsets against Aberdeen and Rangers.
That dramatic comeback win against Steven Gerrard’s men sealed by Conor McCarthy’s late strike will certainly live long in the memory.
But, ultimately, the semi-final loss to Livingston was the club’s most significant game of the season so far, in footballing terms at least, and, unfortunately, the Saints put in a performance well below the standards they’ve shown they are capable of over the last year.
I have huge respect for the candid comments Goodwin made this week about wishing he could return back to Hampden and be more brave in his team selection and tactics.
It takes guts to admit you got something wrong and, at the end of the day, that trip to the national stadium was Goodwin’s first as a manager.
He’s still young and he’s still learning the ropes in the dugout.
Nevertheless, that was a shot at glory for the Paisley club that ultimately went begging.
Arguably, St Mirren’s other most important game of the current season was the decisive trip to Hamilton in the last game before the split.
Yes, the Buddies could have had a top six spot sown up well before their trip to South Lanarkshire, but, eventually, it all came down to that last game.
While Goodwin’s team selection wasn’t as passive as in the Betfred Cup semi-final, his side’s main defect - scoring goals - ultimately came back to haunt them.
And so the club’s mission to reach the top six ended in heartbreak, just as their Betfred Cup dreams did in
January.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, by any stretch of the imagination.
There is still a chance to finish seventh in the league which, while not quite as sexy as a top six finish, would still be the club’s best top flight ranking since 1989.
And, of course, there’s the chance of savouring Scottish Cup success.
Goodwin and his players have been very professional and respectful in playing down the excellent draw that St Mirren have been handed.
But there’s absolutely no denying that to be handed a home tie against Championship opposition in the fourth round was a blessing.
The cherry on top was still to come, with a trip to either Kilmarnock or Montrose in the quarter-finals awaiting tonight’s victorious side.
To be handed a passage to the last four of the Scottish Cup that avoids playing any of the current top six teams in Scotland is a dream ticket.
If St Mirren give up this golden opportunity and lose tonight, their season will be over in the eyes of many of the club’s supporters.
Fingers crossed the Buddies can utilise all the lessons they’ve learned from their tough experiences this season and give the fans the Hampden finish they’re all dreaming of.