Could cup success be next step for over-achieving St Mirren?
'We are capable of getting to Hampden'
It wasn't all that long ago that an unfancied St Mirren side overcame Celtic in a semi-final, then Hearts at Hampden, to win the 2013 League Cup.For the current generation, Mark O'Hara is the man dreaming of getting his hands on the cup in the year of its 80th birthday."Obviously there was success before in the cup and the boys that played that day are legends here and that's what we want to achieve," said O'Hara."We've had success with the top six and getting into Europe, but this group want to be successful in the cup."When you look in the stadium and see all the photos from last time, and the town coming together, it's something we would like to give to the fans.
"We've spoken and that's something that as a group we want to achieve - we want to get to Hampden and want that day out and we're more than capable of doing it."So we just need to make sure that we approach these games right, firstly, and give ourselves the best chance we can."Jim Goodwin wore the armband that famous March day in 2013."It brought the whole community of Paisley together," the Dundee United and former St Mirren manager Goodwin told BBC Scotland recently."The fans turned out in great numbers on the day at Hampden, but I don't think any of us would have anticipated the scenes back in Paisley town centre. "At one stage you thought 'there's nobody here', then you turned the corner and you saw thousands and thousands lining the streets and hanging out of windows."
Have your say
How optimistic are St Mirren fans going into the new season? Is a cup win achievable?Have your say
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
Montrose win 'steadies the ship' but 'an awful lot to do' for Dundee
Herald football writer Stephen McGowan thinks Dundee's 5-0 win over Montrose will help "steady the ship" at Den's Park, despite their League Cup exit. After a disappointing start to the group stage, Steven Pressley's side recorded back-to-back wins over Montrose and Bonnyrigg Rose but won't progress to the last 16 of the competition. "It's been a ropey old start for Stephen Pressley," McGowan told the BBC's Scottish Football podcast. "I think it was always going to be a really difficult time. "A lot of people felt that the sacking of Tony Doherty was pretty harsh, pretty unfair. That wasn't really Stephen Pressley's fault. "He just came into a slightly unenviable situation where people were dubious about him from the start and against that backdrop, the very last thing you want to do is go out the League Cup in the first couple of games."So five goals against Montrose will be welcome. It will help to steady the ship a little bit but I don't think there's any question that they have an awful lot to do."I think right now if you were looking at the teams people would expect to struggle in that Premiership right now, I think Dundee would be one of the main picks."
BBC News
41 minutes ago
- BBC News
Crichton set to becoming Rangers women head coach
Glasgow city assistant manager Leanne Crichton is the front runner to become the new Rangers women's head Ibrox club have held positive talks with the former Scotland player and she is expected to replace Jo Potter, who left to manage Crystal Palace last Ibrox side won the domestic cup double in both of Potter's seasons in charge and were third in the SWPL last 37, had three playing spells with City and also turned out for Celtic, Hibernian, Notts County and Motherwell, the latter where she also moved into coaching. She returned to Glasgow City to assist Leanne Ross in midfielder also won 72 senior international caps and has become a regular football television and radio pundit across BBC Scotland who travel to Italy on Monday for a pre-season training camp, open the new SWPL campaign away to Montrose on 17 August. More to follow.
STV News
43 minutes ago
- STV News
Shin Yamada embracing his early days as a Celtic player
Shin Yamada is embracing his early days as a Celtic player as the Japan international gets used to life outside his comfort zone. The 25-year-old forward had spent his entire senior career with Kawasaki Frontale in his homeland prior to joining the Hoops on a four-year contract just over a week ago. Yamada has been in Italy with his new team-mates over the past week training and competing at the Como Cup. 'I'm glad to be a part of this Celtic team,' he said, speaking through a translator, in a club interview. 'This is the first time I have moved to a different club, so I am enjoying that. The quality of the team is very high, so I'm enjoying the football side of things. 'The first league game is coming soon, and we'll play in different competitions, so I would like to score a lot of goals and share good moments with the fans.' Yamada made an eye-catching first appearance for Celtic in Como on Saturday night and scored the winning penalty as his new side defeated Saudi Arabian team Al-Ahli in a shoot-out following a 1-1 draw. 'I'm happy to score the last goal to win the game,' he said. 'I wish I could have scored during the game, but in the end I contributed so it's good.' Celtic captain Callum McGregor believes his side are in good fettle as they prepare to kick off their William Hill Premiership title defence at home to St Mirren next Sunday. 'Pre-season has been good,' the midfielder said before the Hoops flew from Italy back to Scotland on Sunday. 'Every season throws up different challenges of trying to get up to speed, trying to integrate new players and find the rhythm of the team. 'At times it's looked really good and there are always bits we can brush up on. 'It's been a good five or six-week block. The boys have worked really hard. Everyone knows the objectives and we're ready to go. The big test for us will be next week. 'We'll be ready for St Mirren. We know that they always give you a tough game. The start of the week will be nice and chilled, and then we'll ramp it up as we go. 'We've been here a million times, so we know what to expect. The players know what's expected of them as well, so come Sunday we have to be ready.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
