STEPHEN MALLAN admitted the dressing room was buzzing after yesterday’s 4-1 victory over The New Saints in the IRN-BRU Cup semi-final.
The Buddies came from behind against their Welsh rivals to set up a final with Dundee United at the end of March.
And Mallan insists it’s the least they deserve after a strong second half showing. He said: “There’s a really good atmosphere in the changing room. The gaffer went through us a bit at half-time and rightly so but you can see in the second half it changed straight from kick off and we ran out rightful winners.
Our opponents had came into the game a wee bit more when it went 2-1 but we kicked on and thankfully grabbed a couple more goals which helped settle the nerves and allow us to enjoy the game.”
The 20 year old grabbed his fifth goal of the season but he was just as pleased to set up team-mate Rory Loy: “I’m delighted to have grabbed the goal after practicing my free-kicks during the week in training with the gaffer and Fowler.
I was also pleased to set up Rory. At first I was just looking to shoot but there was no-one near him and it was a nice tap-in for him. I’m glad to help get his goal tally up and give him some confidence going into next week.”
Focus has already turned to that match on Saturday away to Ayr United and yesterday’s result along with booking a place in the Scottish Cup quarter-final last weekend will be seen as ideal preparation, something which Mallan goes along with:
We wanted to go out and win the two cup games which gives us a good boost ahead of the Ayr United game and we’ve done that. Scoring four at home today was important and takes us nicely into next week – which will be another cup final.”
The midfielder also praised supporters for their backing yesterday and hopes they can carry the feel good factor into Saturday’s match.
You can’t fault the fans," he said. "They came out in their numbers even with the game being on tv and the timing of kick off.
“Everywhere they go they always follow us. Even the game last week they were singing non-stop and it was obviously a delight to hear. Hopefully they come out in their numbers at Ayr next week and I’m sure they will.”
