FIGHT SHOWN AGAINST CELTS CAN KEEP US UP

Gogic urges Saints to take heart from storming semi-final comeback and secure top-tier status

- COLIN PATERSON

Alex Gogic insists St Mirren can use their Hampden fightback as inspiration in the battle to secure Premiership status.

The Buddies will have full focus on the post-split league fixtures after their Scottish Cup journey was brought to an end on Sunday.

Saints lost their semifinal 6-2 to Celtic but the scoreline barely told even half the story of a dramatic afternoon.

Goals from Daizen Maeda and Anthony Ralston put the Hoops in the driving seat.

But a stunning second-half performance saw Mikael Mandron hit a double to force extra-time.

Celtic rallied, though, and scored four goals in the space of six minutes to take the tie away from Saints and seal a place in next month's final against Championship side Dunfermline Athletic.