St Mirren and Dundee go head to head tomorrow afternoon for the first time in two years as they meet in the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup at Dens Park.
The side from Dens Park had a rocky spell from mid August till the end of October that saw them at the wrong end of the Premiership table, but a haul of sixteen points from the last thirty available has seen Paul Hartley’s side pull themselves away from the relegation zone and a bit closer towards the top six of the Premiership.
Saints and Dundee last met on 24th January 2015 when Saints were fighting a losing battle against relegation from the Premiership. Kenny McLean’s opener five minutes before half-time was overhauled by second half strikes from Gary Irvine and Iain Davidson. Four weeks earlier St Mirren recorded their last win to date against Dundee when a brace from Kenny McLean and a terrific goal from Stevie Mallan made Gary Irvine’s 85th minute goal nothing more than a consolation at Dens Park.
The sides last matched up in the Scottish Cup on 25th January 1998. Steve McCormick and James Grady gave Dundee an early two-goal lead before Saints keeper Alan Combe was red carded. Lee Maddison added a third for Dundee before the change of ends and Grady got on the scoresheet again fifteen minutes into the second half. Saints did mount a mini fightback with goals from Steve Watson and Chris Iwelumo but it was too little too late.
It has been a pretty quiet transfer window thus far for Dundee but Jack Ross has been a busy man with the signings this week of Josh Todd from Dumbarton and goalkeeper Billy O'Brien on loan from Manchester City. On loan Aberdeen man Craig Storie made his debut last week at Dunfermline so Pål Fjelde will be hoping to do the same tomorrow but Rory Loy will have to sit out this tie as Saints face the loan player’s parent club. One familiar face missing tomorrow will be Jason Naismith who played his last match for Saints last weekend with the big defender having since signed for Ross County.
This is Dundee’s first outing in this season’s Scottish Cup tournament but Saints ran out 5-1 winners against Lowland League side Spartans in the last round at the end of November thanks to a brace from Lawrence Shankland and further strikes from Stevie Mallan, Kyle McAllister and John Sutton.
History may be against the Buddies as Dundee have won six of the Scottish Cup match-ups to Saints two but while the Paisley side haven’t faired that well so far this season in league competition they have done exceptionally well in the cups having won seven of the eight ties they have played in this term so they will no doubt be looking to add to that record tomorrow.