St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson focuses ‘huge’ importance on domestic cups

Stephen Robinson acknowledged the “huge” importance of domestic cup competitions as he surveyed the collateral damage from St Mirren’s European exit.

Following a 1-1 draw with SK Brann in the first leg of their Europa Conference League third qualifying round tie in Paisley, the Buddies fell behind early in the return game in Bergen on Thursday night to a Joachim Soltvedt goal.

Substitute Alex Iacovitti levelled for Saints in the 74th minute but two late goals from Felix Myhre and Aune Heggebo made it 3-1 for the Norwegian side, who ran out 4-2 winners on aggregate.

The Buddies – who were playing European football this season for the first time in 37 years – return to the Premier Sports Cup for a last-16 tie with Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday.

Robinson told the club’s official website: “We are assessing everyone and will put out the fittest team we have available.

“We have a few knocks so we need to see how they react.

“They (cup competitions) are huge. It is a good game to come back to. It is a chance to get to the quarter-finals, one game from Hampden so they are massive.

“They are the chance for a club of our size to win something and we have to try to put out the strongest team possible in the best physical condition against a hard Dundee United side.

“I watched their game against Dundee (2-2) and (manager) Jim (Goodwin) has got them playing well.

“They are a big football club, they have a good manager and they have made some interesting signings in the forward areas as well.

“So they have a bit of quality up there and obviously players that we know like Declan Gallagher, a seasoned SPFL player and leader.

“So we have to be at the top of our game as you have to be in any game against top-flight opposition.

“It is going to be a hard, hard game and we have to go there positive that we can make it into the next round.”