St Mirren's Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone will take place on Sunday 9th May with a 2:15pm. 

The Saints will play in the Scottish Cup semi-final for the first time since 2009 after our dramatic quarter-final win over Kilmarnock. 

St Mirren will play St Johnstone in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Kilmarnock. 

Ilkay Durmus deservedly put Saints ahead on 24 minutes, but the Buddies were behind at half-time after goals from Zeno Ibsen Rossi and Greg Kiltie. Saints looked to be heading for the exit only for captain Joe Shaughnessy to bullet home a header with six minutes of normal time remaining. 

The game went to extra-time and despite being reduced to 10 men, Kilmarnock took the lead again with Ross Millen scoring from the penalty spot. The drama wouldn't end there as Saints were awarded a penalty of their own in the final minute of extra-time which Jamie McGrath scored to take it to a shoot-out.

McGrath, Cammy MacPherson, Collin Quaner and Shaughnessy all netted from 12 yards while Jak Alnwick saved from Rory McKenzie. That allowed Kyle McAllister to slot home the decisive spot-kick to send Saints through to the last four. 

Saints had started with intent and looked really up for it in the opening stages. The Buddies should have had the lead on three minutes when Lee Erwin drove into the box from the right side and sent a teasing ball across the face of the box where neither Kristian Dennis or Durmus could get a toe to it. 

But the pressure would tell when Durmus gave Saints the lead on 24 minutes. McGrath released the ball wide to Durmus who charged into the box from the right. The Turkish winger sent the ball across which Killie goalkeeper Colin Doyle attempted to gather but could only succeed in spilling into his own net. 

Kilmarnock took the lead in the final minute of the first-half with Greg Kiltie slamming home the cut-back from George Oakley after the Killie forward had beaten the offside track.

Kiltie could have put Kilmarnock 3-1 in front just two minutes after the break but for a brilliant last-ditch challenge from Shaughnessy. 

The home side had their tails up and again could have had the third goal only for McGrath to be in the right place to nod Ross Millen's header off the line on 52 minutes, while Alnwick made a terrific save to turn over a Kiltie strike five minutes later. 

Jim Goodwin reacted by making two changes with Quaner and Ethan Erhahon coming on for Erwin and Dennis. Quaner looked lively when coming on and laid the ball off to McGrath who curled just over on 67 minutes in what was the closest St Mirren came to an equaliser. 

Saints started pressing Kilmarnock in search of the leveller and it came with a little over five minutes to go. Skipper Shaughnessy rose the highest to bullet home McGrath's free-kick and ensure another 30 minutes of extra-time. 

Kilmarnock, who made their final changes at the start of extra-time when Rory McKenzie and Gary Dicker replaced Kiltie and Burke, were reduced to 10 men when Nicke Kabamba pulled up with an injury and couldn't continue. 

But despite their disadvantage they would take the lead on 102 minutes when Ross Millen scored from the penalty spot. The defender slotted home from 12 yards after referee Don Robertson judged that McAllister had fouled Mitch Pinnock.

Saints felt they should have had a penalty two minutes into the second period of extra-time when McGrath's strike was deflected wide and looked like it may have come off the arm of the Kilmarnock defender. All that was given was a corner which Shaughnessy met but Doyle was equal to the header. 

It looked like it just wasn't going to be St Mirren's night before Doyle fouled Jake Doyle-Hayes in the box in the final minute of extra-time. As he has done so often, McGrath rolled home to net his 15th goal of the season and take the game to penalties.

The Buddies were flawless from the spot and following Alnwick's save from McKenzie, McAllister slammed home to secure a semi for Saints.

Full-Time: Kilmarnock 3-3 St Mirren (St Mirren win 5-4 on penalties)

JIM GOODWIN REACTION

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser (MacPherson 106), McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait, Henderson, McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, Durmus (McAllister 72), Erwin (Erhahon 61), Dennis (Quaner 61)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Mason, Reid

Kilmarnock: Doyle, Haunstrup, Broadfoot, Ibsen Rossi, Millen, Power, Mulumbu (Tshibola 76), Kiltie (McKenzie 90), Pinnock, Burke (Dicker 90), Oakley (Kabamba 81)
Subs Not Used: Rogers, McGowan, Dikamona, Whitehall, Waters

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Kylie McMullan
Fourth Official: Greg Aitken

Jim Goodwin is hoping for another opportunity at Hampden as St Mirren get set to face Kilmarnock this evening in the Scottish Cup. 

Having already reached the semi-final of the Betfred Cup this season, the Saints manager is desperate for second shot with the national stadium awaiting the victors of tonight's quarter-final.

A narrow defeat to Livingston in the Betfred Cup semi-final in January still rankles with the Buddies boss and he hopes his side can grasp the opportunity to have another go at glory.

I think it would be a good achievement from the group [to reach Hampden twice in one season].

"We're still a little bit sore after the semi-final against Livingston. We didn't really believe that we gave a true reflection of the team we are capable of being.

"As I said after that game, I take responsibility for that because I set the team up in a certain way. I would love to get back there and try to make amends and be a bit braver and be more on the front foot if we get the opportunity.

"There's still some really top teams left in the competition there's no doubt about that. If we get through this one against Kilmarnock then we give ourselves a great chance and that what we're hoping to do.

"Two semi-finals in one season for our club would be great but we want to get to the final this time round. We want to finish seventh in the league and we want to go and win the Scottish Cup."

It's Tommy Wright's Kilmarnock who stand in Saints' way of reaching the last four.

The manager knows how difficult a task it will be this evening with Ayrshire side hitting form over the last number of weeks winning four of their last five matches. 

Key to that form has been the goalscoring exploits of Kyle Lafferty who has scored eight goals in those last five. 

And while the Buddies will have to be alert to the threat Kilmarnock possess, Jim hopes that his side can go with confidence in their own ability. 

Kyle Lafferty is a top player and played at a really high level throughout his career but I have every faith in my defenders that they'll be able to manage him on the day. We need a big performance against Lafferty there's no doubt about it, but we also have to stop the supply to him from the likes of Chris Burke and those around him. 

"Lafferty is the only real change that Kilmarnock have made since Tommy Wright came in. He's been very influential to the recent success that they've had. They've won four of their last five games and they are scoring at will at the moment as well. 

"But I'm not going to overly concern ourselves with Kilmarnock. We have to concentrate on what we are good at and the things that have been a success for us this season. If we go there in the right mindset, confident and full of belief then we give ourselves a great chance of progressing."

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin was delighted to get Jay Henderson on a new contract after the 19-year-old agreed a two-year extension with Saints.

The academy graduate was handed his first-team debut at the start of April as a substitute in our Scottish Cup win over Hamilton Academical. That was followed up by another substitute appearance, this time in the Scottish Premiership, against Motherwell before making his first start in Wednesday night's win over Ross County. 

Jay, who has been with St Mirren since the age of 10, then put pen-to-paper on a deal until summer 2023.

As well as Jay, the Saints boss has given debuts this season to academy players Dylan Reid and Lewis Jamieson, while academy graduates Ethan Erhahon, Cammy MacPherson and Kyle McAllister have all played major roles in the first team this season. 

The academy, headed up by Allan McManus, plays an important role at St Mirren and the manager affirmed his commitment to giving young players a chance if he feels they are ready for the first team.

Young players get an opportunity at St Mirren," he said.

"It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t matter how old they are, if we believe they’re old enough we’ll throw them in. We’ve proved that already this year. 

"People will be sick of me saying it but I want to be recognised as a young manager who gives young players opportunities.

"I’m really pleased to get Jay tied down. The wee man has been training with the first team since I came in really.

"We sent him out on loan to Clyde at the start of the season but it didn’t quite work out as well as we’d have liked in terms of his game time

"We brought him back in January. He’s trained really, really well and has earned the opportunity to make his debut and first start on Wednesday. We’ve been talking to him for a little while about his contract situation. We see Jay playing a big part in the future and I’m delighted he’s agreed.

"We’ve had a number of success stories from our academy in recent years – hopefully Jay will be another one."

St Mirren are back in Scottish Cup action on Monday as Jim Goodwin's men travel to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock.

The Buddies will take on Killie in the last eight after wins against Hamilton Academical and Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the third and fourth rounds. 

Kilmarnock reached the quarter-finals after wins over Stenhousemuir (4-0) and Montrose (3-1). 

Both sides come into the match on the back of wins in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night. Saints won 3-1 away to Ross County while Kilmarnock defeated Dundee United 3-0 at home. 

This is the third time in the last five seasons that Saints have reached the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup with our last semi-final appearance coming in 2009.

Match Details

Kilmarnock v St Mirren
Competition: Scottish Cup
Date: Monday 26th April 2021
Kick-off: 19:45pm
Venue: BBSP Stadium Rugby Park

How to watch the match

Monday night's match will be shown live on the BBC Scotland channel.

International subscribers can watch on tv.stmirren.com as part of their subscription.

Previous

St Mirren have faced Kilmarnock three times this season with each side boasting a win.

Saints were victorious in the last meeting of the two in the Scottish Premiership. Goals from Kyle McAllister and Jon Obika gave the Buddies a 2-0 win over the Ayrshire side at the SMiSA Stadium in February.

Neither side could be separated when St Mirren travelled to Kilmarnock for their first game of 2021. Danny Whitehall had given Killie an early lead before a 90th minute own-goal from Kilmarnock goalkeeper Danny Rogers earned Saints a share of the spoils.

Kilmarnock were 1-0 winners at the SMiSA Stadium in the first match between the two this season back in September. 

The officials

Don Robertson is the referee on Monday night. He's assisted by David McGeachie and Kylie McMullan. Greg Aitken is the fourth official. 

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce that Jay Henderson has signed a contract extension until summer 2023. 

The Saints Academy graduate made his first-team debut in our Scottish Cup win over Hamilton Academical at the start of April before a further substitute appearance in our Scottish Premiership match away to Motherwell the following week. 

The 19-year-old was then given his first start on Wednesday night as the Buddies defeated Ross County in league action.

Speaking on the new deal, Jay said: "I'm absolutely delighted to extend my deal at the club. 

"I've been at the club since I was a young boy and just happy to have my future here sorted.

"It's been great being amongst it in the first team and I'm absolutely loving it."

Manager Jim Goodwin said: "I'm delighted for Jay to be rewarded.

"He's a player that I've been excited about since I came to the club and we've had him in training with the first team since then.

"He got a taste of things against Ross County with his first start and hopefully there will be plenty more to come in the future."

Injury-hit St Mirren picked up three Premiership points after a 3-1 win away to Ross County.

Second-half goals from Lee Erwin, Ilkay Durmus and Jamie McGrath saw the Buddies come from behind to win at the Global Energy Stadium for the second time this season and move the Buddies back into seventh. 

Jim Goodwin was without a number of first-team regulars due to injury and handed St Mirren Academy graduate Jay Henderson was handed his first start for the Saints and almost got it off to the perfect start when he touched just wide in the opening two minutes. 

The Buddies dominated the opening proceedings - having the bulk of the possession and playing some tidy stuff. A neat passage of play on 12 minutes ended with Erwin bringing the ball in well before laying off for Marcus Fraser who drove over from distance. 

But it was the home side who would take the lead with 18 minutes played. The Saints defence couldn't clear their lines from a free-kick which allowed Jordan Tillson to head back into the box where Jordan White flicked beyond Jak Alnwick. 

Alnwick was called into action 10 minutes later when he was down quickly to get two strong hands on to a low Michael Gardyne strike from the edge of the box.

County really should have made it 2-0 just after the half-hour mark when ex-Saint Jason Naismith sent a dangerous low cross along the face of goal. Billy McKay was sliding in but couldn't get anything on it to divert it home.

But at 1-0, Saints were still very much in the match and brilliant play from Henderson on the right wing saw the 19-year-old beat his man before sending a wonderful cross on to the head of Kristian Dennis with County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw at full stretch to save.

With the clock ticking away at the end of the first-half, Alnwick made a wonderful one-handed stop to keep the deficit at one heading into the interval. The goalkeeper was at full-stretch to tip Tillson's strike over.

McKay was a whisker away from doubling County's advantage three minutes after the break. The striker was slipped in by Gardyne and flashes inches wide of the far post. 

It was a miss that County would be left to rue as St Mirren levelled two minutes later. Richard Tait's cross from the right was perfect for the onrushing Erwin to bullet home a terrific header to equalise. 

Conor McCarthy almost gave St Mirren the lead on the hour mark when he flick from a corner was cleared off the line.

Saints made two changes with a little over 20 minutes to play as Kyle McAllister and Collin Quaner were introduced in place of Henderson and Dennis. The impact told within three minutes as the Buddies would take the lead. A quick counter attack saw Quaner drive forward before sliding a perfect pass across the area to Durmus who slotted low into the far corner. 

The win could have been more comfortable for Saints in the end with MacPherson's knocking into the side-netting and curling just wide either side of McAllister cracking the post. But the points were sealed in injury time when McGrath netted his 14th goal of the season from the penalty spot after a handball in the box. The Irishman sent Laidlaw the wrong way to ensure the points. 

Full-Time: Ross County 1-3 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait (Finlayson 90), Henderson (McAllister 68), McGrath, MacPherson, Durmus, Dennis (Quaner 68), Erwin
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Mason

Ross County: Laidlaw, Naismith (Spittal 77), Watson, Iacovtti, Hjelde, Tillson, Draper (Shaw 82), Vigurs (Charles-Cook 67), Gardyne (Hylton 67), White, McKay (Paton 67)
Subs Not Used: Hilton, Donaldson, Kelly, Lakin

Referee: Bobby Madden
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: Andy Milne
Fourth Official: Steven McLean

Jak Alnwick believes the competitive nature in the squad will drive Saints to end the season on a high.

Having reached the semi-final of the Betfred Cup this season, the 27-year-old hopes the Buddies can go one better in the Scottish Cup and reach the final. 

Saints travel to Rugby Park on Monday night to face Kilmarnock in the quarter-final. But before that comes around, Jim Goodwin's men will face relegation-battling Ross County in Scottish Premiership action. 

While many would assume that all focus for Saints is now on the cup, the goalkeeper says the aim is to wrack up wins to finish as high up the league as possible as well as success in the cup.

We want to win every single game until the end of the season," he said.

"We want that seventh spot, there is no doubt about that and we want to get into the semi-final and ultimately the final of the Scottish Cup.

"I wouldn’t say there is priority, we are professionals, we want to win every game in front of us and I hate losing, whether it is training or a game and you see that in the whole squad.

"You can see the competitive edge in training, in everything, the head tennis is competitive, so we will be trying to win every game until the end of the season.

"It is nice that we have a quarter-final to look forward to and some tough league games against teams fighting for survival.

"They are going to be lively games against team scrapping for their lives, Ross County this Wednesday being one of them.

"It is obviously a difficult place to go and a lot of teams have struggled. But we know what we are capable of.

"Now it is results-based between now and the end of the season and try to pick up as many points as possible for that seventh spot."

SPFL Premiership clubs will be able to broadcast all 228 matches to season ticket holders after a major new deal was struck between the league and broadcaster Sky Sports for next season.

As was the case this season, all SPFL clubs will be allowed to make available ‘season passes’ of their home matches, to season ticket holders, through online club channels. In addition, all clubs will be allowed to sell any home game not broadcast live by Sky, on a pay-per-view basis next season.

With discussions still ongoing between football authorities and the Scottish Government to allow supporters to attend matches in person, the new deal for season 2021/22 season gives certainty to fans and clubs alike on the ability to watch games live on TV.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "For the past few months, there have been intense, detailed discussions between ourselves, Sky Sports and our clubs to give fans certainty that they will be able to watch their heroes playing live next season, irrespective of when supporters are allowed back into stadia. Today’s announcement is a major boost for everyone involved in the game.

"Obviously, we are all desperate to get supporters back into grounds on a safe and sustainable basis and are making good progress in our discussions with the Scottish Government, especially given the pace of the vaccine roll-out. 

"In a normal season, almost five million fans attend SPFL games, the highest per capita attendance in Europe, and the current broadcast deals have been an absolute lifeline for clubs and supporters alike as they battle the enormous financial pressures caused by Covid-19. The television viewer numbers for Scottish football this season have been magnificent and this was one of the key reasons behind our agreement with Sky Sports to extend our current arrangements. 

"Sky Sports have been enormously supportive and, in the UK and Ireland, will continue to screen up to 48 live Scottish Premiership matches, as well as the Premiership play-off finals. In addition, the new deal enables Premiership clubs to broadcast on a pay per view basis every home  SPFL game not selected by Sky Sports."

St Mirren get set for the long journey to Dingwall as Jim Goodwin's side get ready to face Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

The Buddies go into the Wednesday night's match having qualified for the last eight of the Scottish Cup with a 2-1 win over Inverness on Friday night.

Relegation-threatened Ross County sit in 10th place in the Scottish Premiership - a point above Kilmarnock who are in the relegation play-off spot. John Hughes' men have won just one of their last five matches - a 3-2 win over Kilmarnock in March. 

Ross County v St Mirren
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Wednesday 21st April 2021
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Venue: Global Energy Stadium

How to watch the match

The match will be shown live on Ross County's PPV channel at a cost of £15.

International subscribers to St Mirren TV can watch as part of their subscription on tv.stmirren.com. 

Previous

Saints have faced County three times in the Scottish Premiership this season.

A Jamie McGrath penalty kick secured the points in a 1-0 win for the Buddies when the Dingwall side visited Paisley in February.

Marcus Fraser and Kristian Dennis were on the scoresheet on Boxing Day as the Saints picked up a 2-0 win at the Global Energy Stadium.

The first meeting of the two sides in the 2020/21 season was at the SMiSA Stadium in August. Jon Obika gave St Mirren a first-half lead before a Nathan Sheron own-goal gained County a share of the spoils.

St Mirren are unbeaten in their last four against County. Ironically, Marcus Fraser was the man who scored the winner when Ross County last beat St Mirren back in 2019.

Who are the officials?

Bobby Madden is the referee on Wednesday night. He'll be assisted by Alan Mulvanny and Andy Milne. Steven McLean is the fourth official.