by Stuart Gillespie

If things had gone a little differently last week it would have been St Johnstone that St Mirren would be facing in next month's Co-operative Insurance Final, rather than Rangers. Like ourselves, the Saintees had made it as far as the last four in this season's League Cup, but a disappointing display at Hampden saw them knocked out by Walter Smith's side. It was a fine achievement from them to make it that far and their first season in the SPL since 2002 has so far been a success.

After Derek McInnes led them to promotion last season, they are currently eighth in the league and sit six points above the drop zone. They are slightly closer to a top six spot than that and the fact they have games in hand over the likes of Hearts and Aberdeen could allow them to make a shock run for a place in the top half of the league. St Johnstone have been playing attractive football at times and McInnes' stock is rising - he was linked with the manager's job at former club Dundee United a few weeks ago and also the one at Burnley, which had recently been vacated by former St Johnstone boss Owen Coyle. However, he missed out on both jobs and is free to continue the good progress he has been making in Perth.

Murray Davidson has been one of the stars for St Johnstone this season, having arrived in the summer from Third Division Livingston. The winger has wasted no time in adapting to SPL life and has even been linked with a call up to the Scotland squad in the near future. Fellow wide player Filipe Morais has also done well after being brought in from relegated Inverness Caley Thistle, with Dave Mackay doing well in defence. Jody Morris has had a fantastic couple of years since arriving in Perth in 2008 and his experience of the big stage from his time with Chelsea must surely help some of the younger players in the squad. He has recently been joined at the club by another former Chelsea player in the shape of Michael Duberry. The former Leeds defender was available after being released by Wycombe and should be a good addition to the squad.

St Johnstone have had the upper hand in the battles of the Saints this season, taking four points out of a possible six. Three of those were won just before Christmas at McDiarmid Park, former Morton player Chris Millar scoring the only goal of the game before Michael Higdon was dismissed for St Mirren. Earlier in the season in Paisley, Billy Mehmet had looked to have sent the Buddies on their way to victory by scoring a penalty after Stephen McGinn had been brought down inside the box, but Jody Morris equalised almost immediately and the visitors were unlucky not to take victory. Their last victory in Paisley was a 3-1 success in Love Street's last ever Scottish Cup tie in March 2008, while their last league win was on the final day of the season in 2006. You have to go back to the start of that season for the last time St Mirren beat their Perth namesakes as they won twice at McDiarmid Park in the space of a few days, Kevin McGowne proving the unlikely goal hero when he scored winners in both the league and League Cup. The last time St Mirren beat St Johnstone in Paisley was in August 2006 when they won 2-1 on a crazy day that saw the visitors end up with just eight men!

St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson will probably change things around for this game. With a hectic schedule showing no signs of ending and tiredness beginning to creep in after two fantastic performances against Hearts and Rangers, squad rotation will be essential in the league and cup games over the coming weeks and months. Garry Brady, Steven Robb and Stephen O'Donnell have all been kicking their heels in recent weeks and at least one is likely to start due to Steven Thomson's suspension.

Although the 3-5-2 formation has worked well, it is likely that changes could see 4-4-2 return and Graham Carey could be handed his first start since signing on loan from Celtic while one of John Potter, Lee Mair and Chris Innes could be forced to give way in defence. Billy Mehmet will continue up front, but Michael Higdon could be rested meaning a chance for Craig Dargo or on loan Rangers youngster Rory Loy, who was not allowed to play in Saturday's game against his full time team. With Allan Johnston back fit, Chris Smith and Tom Brighton are the only players out injured.

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