Gus: It's a tough passage to cup final

Nov 10 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

GUS MacPherson last night admitted his Buddies face a difficult task if they are to book their passage into the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.

MacPherson’s side were paired with Csaba Laszlo’s Hearts in yesterday’s semi-final draw and they will play the Edinburgh side on either Tuesday, February 2, or Wednesday, February 3.

But many Saints fans will be left disappointed as the game is NOT expected to take place at Hampden.

However, no matter where the game is staged MacPherson is predicting an almighty battle with the Jam Tarts for a place in the showpiece final.

He said: “It really didn’t matter who we got because at this stage of the competition. There are no easy games. Some people will look upon this as a favourable tie because we’ve avoided Rangers but that’s not the way we look at it.

“We can compete with any team in the SPL over 90 minutes but we know we’ll go into this game as underdogs, given the resources Hearts have at their disposal. It’s a game to look forward to but there is a lot of football to be played between now and then.”

Yesterday’s draw took place in the Gorgie Suite at Tynecastle Stadium and was made by former Scotland, Rangers, Hearts and Greenock Morton defender Dave McPherson.

Saints are currently awaiting a proposal from the Scottish Football League over moving the tie.

Express Sports understands that one venue could be Easter Road in Edinburgh, although a more favourable option for Saints would be for the tie to be staged at Motherwell’s Fir Park.

St Mirren general manager Brian Caldwell added: “We are waiting on the SFL getting back in touch with us with their proposal.”

Boss MacPherson, though, would prefer the game to be staged at the National Stadium.

He said: “A decision will be made in the near future and that will be outwith the control of the football department at St Mirren.

“But everyone in the football department would like it to be played at Hampden.

“From a player’s perspective you want to play at Hampden because it’s the National Stadium and we are in the latter stages of the competition.”

St Mirren started out on the road to Hampden back in August, when five goals from Billy Mehmet and one from Stephen O’Donnell secured a 6-3 first round win over East Stirlingshire at Ochilview.

In round two, goals from Michael Higdon and Mehmet helped the Buddies to a 2-0 win over Ayr United at Somerset Park.

Saints returned to Ayrshire in round three to meet Kilmarnock at Rugby Park and Stephen McGinn and Andy Dorman made the difference that night as the Buddies ran out 2-1 winners.

That victory set up a quarter-final clash with Motherwell at St Mirren Park, a game MacPherson’s side won 3-0 thanks to goals from Michael Higdon, Jack Ross before Motherwell’s Stephen Craigan sent a shot into his own net.

The final is scheduled to take place at Hampden on Sunday, March 21.