St Mirren defence put stressed out boss Jim Goodwin "through the ringer" in epic Scottish Cup shoot-out win over Kilmarnock

Jim Goodwin doesn’t know how long he can face the stress of St Mirren’s never-say-die cup runs – but he’ll have to do it all again at Hampden next month.

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin at full time during the Scottish Cup Quarter Final between Kilmarnock and St Mirren at BBSP Stadium, Rugby Park on April 26, 2021, in Kilmarnock, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

The Saints edged a see-saw battle with Kilmarnock to seal the last Scottish Cup semi-final place of the season 5-4 on penalty kicks, after a third quarter final was taken to a shoot-out.

After equalising late on to force extra-time with the score 2-2 at 90 minutes, a last-gasp Jamie McGrath penalty took the match into a shoot-out where Kyle McAllister struck the vital spot-kick for a 5-4 victory.

It was the second successive quarter final that the Saints had left it late – with McGrath also hitting the injury-time winner against Rangers in the Betfred Cup.

KILMARNOCK 3 ST MIRREN 3 (aet): Andrew Smith’s match verdict

Now they are going back to Hampden with one eye on the final, but Goodwin joked: “I’ve got about six months to live after that and God knows how long I can handle this kind of stress and this type of career.

“But from a neutral point of view it was very entertaining and great credit to Kilmarnock and Tommy Wright for the way they went about it with ten men.

“We were all put through the ringer. We picked a helluva night to have a bad night defensively. Some of the goals we conceded were shocking but at the same time, great credit to the players for their character.

"I’m delighted for the group, players, staff, everyone connected with the club, the supporters - I’m sure some of them were watching the game from behind the couch at times - but we’re there and that’s all that matters.”

The Paisley side will form half of an all-saints semi-final after being drawn to face Betfred Cup holders St Johnstone, who also progressed to the penultimate stage with a penalty shoot-out win and late extra-time excitement against Rangers.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, Goodwin added: “St Johnstone might be favourites for the cup now with the way they are going, but we looking forward to it.”

Hibs and Dundee United was the other semi-final tie drawn by Livingston captain Marvin Bartley. The games will be played at Hampden on May 8 and 9.

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