One step away from Hampden

They might have left it late, but the St Mirren faithful didn’t care a jot come Friday night after their club booked a place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

After a highly entertaining tussle with the Caley Jags, Jim Goodwin’s side eventually came out on top thanks to their perseverance and a little slice of fortune.

It could have been oh so different if Scott Allan’s late strike had drifted just inside Jak Alnwick’s post as the clock ticked down in Paisley.

Thankfully for the Buddies it sailed wide, paving the way for Marcus Fraser to slam home and secure a spot in the last eight.

Now only a Monday night fight with Kilmarnock stands between the Buddies and another trip to Hampden for a cup semi-final.

Almost every Saints player I’ve spoken to since that Betfred Cup defeat to Livingston has revealed they wish they’d put up more of a fight against the Lions during that narrow 1-0 defeat.

And last week Goodwin opened up on the subject, revealing he was desperate to get back to the national stadium so he could put out a more expansive, attacking line-up.

That’s what makes the prospect of a second trip to Hampden even more tantalising for the Saints.

There’s a real sense that all the club’s staff have taken huge lessons from that last trip to Mount Florida.

If they can safely navigate past Kilmarnock, who knows just how far this talented and determined group can go.