Mikael Mandron inspired by 2013 League Cup winners as St Mirren aim for Hampden
Mikael Mandron insists his Buddies would love to lead the black-and-white army back to Hampden.
St Mirren have enjoyed their best spell in almost 40 years after racking up a hat-trick of top-six Premiership finishes and playing in Europe.
But the one box to be ticked in this special chapter in the club's history is going to the national stadium in either the Premier Sports Cup or Scottish Cup.
Saints are top of their League Cup section after two games thanks to Tuesday night's 2-1 win at Forfar Athletic. Goals from Jayden Richardson and Mikael Mandron proved to be enough in Angus despite a late Kieran Inglis strike.
Saints lifted the League Cup back in 2013 after a thrilling 3-2 win over Hearts. That team is immortalised and Mandron believes it can motivate the current crop who want their own moment in the Hampden spotlight.
'Yes it is,' the 30-year-old said when asked if a good cup run culminating in a trip to Hampden was at the forefront of the players' minds this season.
'We talk about it every year. You want to do well in the cups but we haven't been able to do that in the last few years. We come into these games with high pressure and high expectation because we do want to do so well.
'It would be so good for the lads and the club to have a proper cup run and get to Hampden. Of course, the team that won the cup can inspire us. When you see pictures of success the club has had in past years, that is something to be inspired by.
'We have had relative success in the last few years in the league but it would be great to do it in the cup as well. I don't know if it is the one thing that is missing but it's something that would be great to add, for sure.
'It's really difficult to win trophies in football and that's why they are so special. When you see teams going far in cups and people winning trophies, it means so much.
'It might only happen once in a career. It's why we work so hard to give ourselves the best chance.'
Mandron was delighted to open his account for the new campaign against the Loons – but he insisted it was never going to be a Station Park stroll.
He added: 'These guys might be lower down the leagues but they are good players and they are playing for their lives. When you are a striker, you are always looking to score. The ball kind of bobbled in but I managed to keep it on target.'
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