He’s not been here for long, but it would appear as though St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has been well and truly swept up by the romance of the Scottish Cup. No shame in that, it happens to the best of us.
Speaking after his side’s 3-1 defeat Premiership defeat to Rangers at Ibrox last weekend — a result which left the Saints nine points adrift at the foot of the Premiership table — the Finn (pictured) insisted he was excited about the ‘beautiful week’ which was set to come ahead of today’s fourth-round tie against Motherwell in Perth.
Having just moments earlier described their current predicament as ‘catastrophic’, it was an unexpected moment of misty-eyed wonder from a man who is searching for a ray of light in what has so far been a miserable season for all associated with the Perth club.
While a repeat of the glorious run which ended with them lifting the famous old trophy back in 2021 is nothing more than a pipe dream at this stage, progression at the expense of their fellow Premiership opponents at McDiarmid Park would at least give fans something to cling on to as they stare down the barrel of what unfortunately looks likely to be an almighty uphill struggle between now and mid-May.
The good news, at least, is that they are facing a Motherwell team who at this rate will be lucky to even field a team given their scarcely believable injury issues.
Paul McGinn — only just back in the fold following a long-term absence — suffered a heartbreaking recurrence of his thigh problem against Hibernian last Saturday. He’ll now miss the rest of the campaign, making it nine players manager Stuart Kettlewell must now do without for the foreseeable future. Bleak indeed.
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari is looking forward to putting Premiership woes to one side
St Johnstone have gone nine games without a win and sit bottom of the top-flight table
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell is facing an injury crisis ahead of the trip to Perth
Buddies are wary of tough trip to Dumfries
With replays sadly a thing of the past, extra-time and penalties will likely be required for some to book their spot in the next round. St Mirren must be praying it doesn’t come to that.
Stephen Robinson’s men travel to Dumfries to take on Queen of the South this weekend amid a horrid run of four straight defeats which have followed their impressive Boxing Day victory over Rangers in Paisley.
Since then, it’s been pretty grim stuff from the Buddies, who just can’t seem to find any consistency this season in their efforts to once again be in the mix for a top-six finish.
The Buddies seemed ready to stop the rot after being awarded a late penalty against Dundee United last time out, only for Toyusi Olusanya to pass up the opportunity, taking their tally of missed spot-kicks for the season up to four.
And having failed to net from open play or otherwise in any of their previous three matches, today’s visit to the League One side could prove to be a tad problematic.
Toyusi Olusanya missed from the spot in St Mirren’s defeat against Dundee United last week
Opportunity knocks for Sons
After edging past Alloa Athletic in the previous round, just days after being thrust into administration, Dumbarton would have hoped to be rewarded with a much-needed money-spinning trip to one of the big boys in round four.
Alas, it wasn’t to be. Yet there’s no doubt they have an excellent opportunity to do just that by booking their place in the last 16 of the competition.
At home to an Airdrieonians side with just one Championship win to their name all season, the Sons will fancy their chances of getting the job done.
Having been hit with a 15-point penalty which has left them facing up to the prospect of relegation to the fourth tier, the Scottish Cup has become something of a life raft as they bid to secure their short-term future.
A potential tie at Celtic Park or Ibrox will provide plenty of incentive to a club fighting for their lives.
Dumbarton were placed in administration in November and are now fighting for their future
Fans are expected to turn out in force for today’s Scottish Cup tie against Airdrieonians
Brown hopes to avoid another major setback
Scott Brown will be aiming to avoid another cup exit to lower league opposition as he takes his high-flying Ayr United team to Broxburn Athletic.
Brown’s men were dumped out of this season’s Challenge Cup back in November by East Kilbride, but have bounced back from that disappointment in style, winning seven of their last nine since.
Now just two points off Falkirk in the second tier, The Honest Men are one of the form teams in the country.
With promotion a realistic possibility, it will be interesting to see if Brown opts to ring the changes against the part-timers.
But having already upset the odds by dumping Stranraer out of the tournament earlier this season, the Lowland League outfit will aim to repeat the trick.
