The 2023/24 season has been a stellar one for St. Mirren. For the first time in history, they have successfully secured a spot in the top six split and now, they seem intent on securing European qualification for the first time since 1987. They are currently in fifth place in the Scottish Premiership, just two points behind Kilmarnock who are in the final continental qualifying spot at present. The Killies recently secured a resounding 5-2 victory over the Saints thanks to a brace from Kyle Vassel, but with plenty more football to be played between now and the end of the season, there is no reason to think that the Paisley outfit can't bridge that narrow gap and secure a spot in the top four.
But despite their issues in the league in recent years – not including the current campaign of course – St. Mirren have constantly found solace in the Scottish Cup. In each of their last three Scottish Premiership seasons, they have constantly battled with relegation, finishing ninth, seventh and ninth again, respectively. However, it is in the cup competitions that they have shone. South of the border, the English FA Cup has been discussed prominently in recent weeks, with the High Press Podcast and other illustrious media outlets all discussing the final four teams remaining in the competition.
The Scottish Cup gets much less attention than its English counterpart, but that shouldn’t take the shine off of St. Mirren’s recent exploits in the competition.
Quarterfinals the Bare Minimum
This season, St. Mrren's Scottish Cup journey ended in the fifth round for the second straight year. However, with their elimination coming in a somewhat more spirited defeat against champions Celtic compared to their 5-1 drubbing last term, as well as their current Premiership exploits taking centre stage, the "early" exit can be somewhat forgiven. But in recent campaigns, the quarterfinals have been the bare minimum for the Saints.
Two years ago, victories against Ayr United and Kelty Hearts secured them a spot against Hearts in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, that would end in defeat at Edinburgh, but not before goals from Eamonn Brophy and Conor Ronan gave the hosts an almighty scare at Tynecastle. The year prior the Saints did manage to go one better. That time they met Kilmarnock in the last eight also away from home and they managed to come back from the dead not once but twice.
Firstly Joe Shaughnessy netted in the 84th minute to take the tie to extra time, before Jamie McGrath's 119th-minute penalty to take the contest to a shootout, which they went on to win. With the cup beckoning, they fell to St. Johnstone in the semifinals at Hampden Park, but not before giving their supporters a chance to dream.