Latest news with #ScottishFootball
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Could cup success be next step for over-achieving St Mirren?
Setting out with the ambition to bring home some silverware is a tall order for most teams these days in Scottish three teams other than Celtic - Aberdeen, Rangers and St Johnstone - have won a major domestic trophy in the past nine hope still springs eternal. And at St Mirren, it's easy to see fifth and sixth over the past three seasons, the Paisley outfit have become unlikely top-six regulars and continued to outperform their Saturday, Stephen Robinson's side start their competitive campaign away to Arbroath in the Scottish League Cup group stage (15:00).With Forfar Athletic, Annan Athletic and Ayr United to come thereafter, St Mirren have a decent enough draw and can realistically expect to be in the last could it get even better than that? '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 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
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Halliday a big fan of early League Cup group stage
Andy Halliday admits he "loves" the group stage of League Cup as the competition kicks off another season in Scottish begin their group campaign with a game against Clyde at New Douglas Park on Saturday and the midfielder is desperate to get into competitive action."I can't wait," said the 33-year-old. "It's funny, a lot of people kind of turn their nose up at the League Cup competition starting before the (league) season, but to be honest, I love it."I'm not a fan of friendlies, I never have been. There's nothing better than playing for something, playing for three points and playing with a crowd watching you as well, so I enjoy the cup competition coming early."You're not at maximum in terms of your squad, the numbers you're going to bring in and obviously your own personal fitness."But, I'd much rather get fit in competitive action than closed-door friendlies and playing in front of nobody."
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Listen: Kilmarnock 2025-26 season preview podcast
The BBC's Scottish Football Podcast has Kilmarnock in focus to preview the 2025-26 season for Stuart Kettlewell's Martin Dowden is joined by Callum Scott of the Forever and Ever podcast to discuss the campaign Kettlewell at the helm and a new-look squad to assess, the competitive action starts on Saturday for the Rugby Park side as they travel to Brora in their League Cup group here and don't forget to subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast on BBC Sounds.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Listen: Kilmarnock 2025-26 season preview podcast
The BBC's Scottish Football Podcast has Kilmarnock in focus to preview the 2025-26 season for Stuart Kettlewell's side. Host Martin Dowden is joined by Callum Scott of the Forever and Ever podcast to discuss the campaign ahead. Advertisement With Kettlewell at the helm and a new-look squad to assess, the competitive action starts on Saturday for the Rugby Park side as they travel to Brora in their League Cup group opener. Listen here and don't forget to subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast on BBC Sounds.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Listen: Hearts 2025-26 season preview podcast
The BBC's Scottish Football Podcast has Hearts in focus to preview the 2025-26 season for Derek McInnes' Martin Dowden is joined by writer Joel Sked of the Hearts Standard and Scott McIntosh of the Scarves Around the Funnel Lawrence Shankland back to spearhead the attack, the competitive action starts on Saturday for McInnes' men as they host Dunfermline in their League Cup group here and don't forget to subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast on BBC Sounds.
