SAINTS READY FOR SCOTTISH CUP TEST IN LANARKSHIRE

After a break of some three and a half weeks, we’re back in action tomorrow and it’s a Scottish Cup 4th round tie away to Airdrieonians.

It’s a long time since Saints have visited the Lanarkshire venue – 2009 to be precise – when in the final match of our First Division championship season under Derek McInnes we finished the season with a flourish thanks to a 4-0 win which included Stevie May’s first ever goal for the club.

The winter weather which has affected most of Scotland this week has led to a change of training venue but Saints have been well served by the use of the facilities at the Regional Performance Centre for Sport in Dundee where the gym and indoor pitch facilities have proved a boon to Manager Craig Levein.

One player looking forward to tomorrow’s tie is Chris Kane.

The striker has been back in action in recent weeks following a very lengthy injury lay off and his return has given Craig Levein another option up front.

Chris knows the joy that the Scottish Cup can bring, having been with the club as a youngster back in 2014 and then involved directly in our 2021 success but he knows the flip side too and so is fully aware of what will be needed at the Excelsior Stadium tomorrow.

This morning, Kano told the Saints Official Website: “Being around the club when we’ve had those successes was just the best feeling.

“Obviously, playing the full 90 minutes against Hibs in the 2021 final was a career highlight for me and we all have to strive for more of those days.

“However, I’ve suffered the disappointments as well – I was involved at both Queen of the South and Kelty Hearts when we lost those ties and so I know what to expect tomorrow if I’m involved.”

Saints will go into the tie as narrow favourites but nobody involved at McDiarmid Park, including Chris, is complacent and will be wary of the sort of test the home side will provide

“Obviously we want to win” continues the 29-year-old.

“Airdrie are a good side and their manager has done very well with them and has them playing good football.

“However, if we go down there, apply ourselves in the right manner and do what we are capable of doing then we can get the win.

“The Scottish Cup is a competition where, if you can get past this round and the draw is kind, you can be in the latter stages quite quickly but that’ll only be a possibility if we get things right tomorrow.”

In terms of team news, we’ll be without Dan Phillips and Kerr Smith who are both nursing very minor injuries while it’s still too early for Drey Wright or Sam McClelland to be considered.

However, new recuits Benjamin Kimpioka and David Keltjens are available for selection.

It’s a 3pm kick off in Lanarkshire tomorrow and Saints have sold over 800 tickets.

PHOTO:  Chris Kane warms up this week along with Benjamin Kimpioka and Diallang Jaiyesimi (Courtesy Perthshire Picture Agency)