Envious Samson craves cup glory

Goalkeeper Craig Samson is desperate for St Mirren to sample Scottish Cup glory after watching two of his previous clubs battle for a place in the League Cup final last weekend.

The former Kilmarnock and Ayr player was pleased to see both clubs enjoy their big day at Hampden but now wants to experience the later stages of a cup competition himself.

St Mirren host Division One leaders Ross County today, hoping to reach the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

“Everybody wants to do well in the cup, it gives the whole place a lift,” said Samson.

“Kilmarnock have done brilliantly to reach the League Cup final and Ayr had a great run to make the semi-final, having won at our place to get there.

“We are looking to ensure there is no repeat of our defeat to Ayr on Saturday though, we are looking no further than Ross County. It is a massive game for us and will be very tough.”

Samson has been an ever-present in Danny Lennon’s starting XI this season. The 27-year-old is enjoying a prolonged run of first-team football, after a spell of worrying if he had a future in the game.

He added: “I spoke to the manager at the beginning of the season and he told me it would be between myself and Graham [Smith] to play and luckily for me I got into the team and managed to stay there. I am happy with how things are going, no player wants to be sitting on the bench or in the stand.”