The phrase “all we could ask for was a home tie” when a cup draw is made has become one of football’s cliches.
St Johnstone striker Steven MacLean has more reason than most to trot it out.
Because, had the Perth side been paired with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park rather than McDiarmid, he wouldn’t be playing.
MacLean’s history of serious knee injuries mean that he isn’t able to take part on artificial pitches, and the disappointment last season of having to sit out Saints’ Scottish Cup defeat at Queen of the South for that reason wasn’t easy to shake off.
“You always look for a home tie in the cup and I was just relieved we got Kilmarnock at McDiarmid,” he said.
“It would have been a nightmare if we had got Kilmarnock away because I can’t play on the artificial surfaces. And there are more and more of them popping-up unfortunately.
“Every time we get a cup draw I am just hoping we avoid astro turf. It’s a case of anything but astro for me.
“But I am far from being alone. I can understand why chairmen are keen on them but I don’t think many players share their enthusiasm.
“When you play on an artificial pitch your body aches for the next few days. I don’t envy lads who have to play their home games on them.
“And some of these pitches aren’t looked after properly, which doesn’t help. I’d have them outlawed and I reckon 90% of players would agree with me.
“Last season I had to sit out the game away to Queen of the South and that was a terrible day. I was stuck in the stand as we lost. It was a nightmare.
“The manager made the decision for me but it was frustrating missing out even if it was the right call.
“Being the cup holders from the previous season made that defeat in Dumfries even more disappointing.”
When Saints won the Scottish Cup it was on the back of doing well in the League Cup in the same season.
MacLean is hoping history will repeat itself.
He said: “We want to get going on another good cup run because we already have the League Cup semi-final with Hibs to look forward to.
“The year we won the Scottish Cup we also got to the semi-finals of the League Cup so there’s no reason we can’t do well in both competitions.
“Killie are near the bottom of the league but we have had two tough games against them and they beat us at their place.
“They have been a bit up and down this season but if they turn up they are a decent side. But if we play well we are confident of winning.”