St Mirren’s attention on Hampden final after draw

The sides shared the points in an SPL stalemate in St Mirren’s last league outing ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final against Hearts at Hampden.

Defender McAusland said: “We were pleased to keep a clean sheet, especially after Wednesday [a 2-1 loss at Dundee]. I felt that, if we did, we could maybe produce a goal. It wasn’t to be but we’re happy coming away with a clean sheet.

“I stuck to my job and tried to do the best I can and got the ball on a few occasions. The cup final is massive. Since we got there, you’re just trying to keep yourself injury-free and keep the performances ticking over, but now the days coming up to it are massive.

“It’s a great occasion for the town as well as the club, and you can see it already with posters and flags about the town. It’s massive for the players and the fans who’re looking forward to it, and it’s going to be at the forefront of our minds all week.

“Hearts will come out and be feeling the same, that they can win it but, if we go and play the best we can, I’m sure we can win.”

Dundee United substitute Michael Gardyne had his side’s best chance, shortly after his second-half introduction, but was denied by a Craig Samson save as his side sought three points to help them move up into the top six.

Gardyne said: “It dropped quite nicely for me. I actually hit it too well as they’re the ones that, if you mis-hit it into the ground, they end up going into the roof of the net, but I don’t want to take anything away from Craig, as it was a good save.

“Stuart Armstrong had a decent header and I had a turn and shot on the edge of the box as well, so we had chances to win the game.

“We needed the three points but we just have to go on and win the next game now. There are only a few games until the split so we want to win all our matches.

“The new manager has been brilliant: he has new ideas on the way he wants to play football, and it suits the players we have at the club.”