Kilmarnock v St Mirren: Teams named for Premier Sports Cup quarter-final

Stuart Kettlewell and Stephen Robinson have named their Kilmarnock and St Mirren sides for the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final.

The 2012 and 2013 League Cup winners go head-to-head on Friday night in the first of the weekend’s last eight clashes and both have had encouraging starts to the season.

Celtic are the only side to defeat either side in the Premiership, and both progressed to this stage of the knockout competition as group winners, and then defeating other top-flight sides. Kilmarnock saw off Dundee United with a 2-1 win, while St Mirren won a penalty shoot-out against Hearts.

Now as they face each other, Kettlewell has named a strong side, with just one change from the one that narrowly lost to Celtic as Greg Kiltie faces his former club, replacing Rory McKenzie.

Max Stryjek is in goal and George Stanger, Lewis Mayo, Robbie Deas, Dom Thompson and James Brown in defence.

Greg Kiltie, Liam Polworth and David Watson are in midfield, with Marcus Dackers and Djenairo Daniels in attack.

St Mirren start with Shamal George in goal and a back three of Miguel Freckleton, Alex Gogic and Richard King. Declan John and Jayden Richardson are in the wing-back positions.

Captain Mark O’Hara, Keanu Baccus and Killian Phillips are the midfield trio, with Jonah Ayunga and Mikael Mandron up front.

Killie boss Stuart Kettlewell is anticipating an exciting clash, and he may have to adapt things to the flow of the game.

“I’m sure there’s going to be a few twists and turns from Plan A on Friday,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll probably get to B, C and D at some point because it will be two teams trying to have a real good go at trying to get to the national stadium for a semi-final because it means an awful lot.”

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson reached Hampden finals with Motherwell and feels those cup moments are missing from his successful time in Paisley.

“I’ve said to the players, you know, sometimes these opportunities come round once in a career,” he said.”I’ve been very lucky that it’s come round a few times. But that doesn’t often happen.

“So you have to grab these opportunities. We want to progress in any way possible. It doesn’t have to be the best performance in the world, but you have to find a way to win.”