St Johnstone can dare to dream of cup glory once again with magician McFadden in their ranks

Six months on from that unforgettable day at Celtic Park when St Johnstone beat Dundee United to lift the Scottish Cup, they will start their defence of the trophy next week against Ross County.

They will go into that game as firm favourites, especially after Saturday’s narrow but deserved victory over the same opponents at McDiarmid Park.

The Staggies felt they should have taken at least a point from the match but ultimately the difference between the two sides was the presence of James McFadden in the Saints ranks.

The 31-year-old provided that vital “X Factor” and was a class apart at times with his vision and composure to play in team-mates.

As one of the recipients of those skills Michael O’Halloran touched on afterwards, the best could still be yet to come from the former Scotland man, who only linked up with the Perth outfit at the beginning of last month and is edging his way back to full match fitness.

Saints will attempt to retain the Scottish Cup without two players who made the triumph possible, the injured Steven MacLean and the departed Stevie May.

However, with McFadden in their ranks, Saints can definitely dream of a return to the final in 2015.