ROBBO THOUGHT FERGIE TRIBUTE WAS A WIND-UP!

STEPHEN ROBINSON was "humbled" to receive a congratulatory message from his most famous predecessor as St Mirren manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, following the club's Premier Sports Cup triumph.

- BY GAVIN MCCAFFERTY

Robinson is being lauded by fans as St Mirren's greatest manager after clinching their fifth piece of major silverware on top of three consecutive top-six league finishes and ending a 37-year absence from European football.

Ferguson led the Buddies to the First Division title in 1977 with an exciting young team and made contact with Robinson after the club's 3-1 Hampden triumph over Celtic last Sunday.

"I thought somebody was winding me up, but Sir Alex sent me a message, which I couldn't believe," said Robinson, whose side host Livingston today.

"Actually, my boy was in the next room and I was shouting: 'Son, are you sending me messages, messing about?' But, no, Sir Alex sent me a brilliant message.