A day we'll never 4-get

It's the black-and-white army's day

- COLIN PATERSON

They marched on Hampden in their thousands for a moment in a million.

St Mirren's black-and-white army had been waiting years for Saturday night - but all good things come to those who wait.

Not since 2013, when Danny Lennon's team beat Hearts 3-2 to lift the League Cup, had Buddies watched their team at the sharp end of a national cup competition.

In 2021, Paisley punters stared agonisingly at the small screen as Jim Goodwin's group lost to Livingston and then St Johnstone in the semifinals of both the League Cup and Scottish Cup.

Covid ensured those ties were played behind closed doors.

Nothing was stopping them being there this time.

As darkness descended on Mount Florida, the chill in the air was the counter to fire in bellies and imaginations running wild.

Hampden would be half-filled but lacking in neither tension or excitement. Anticipation built ahead of the dramatic tifo displays.