MacPherson warns sorry Buddies March 18 2008
St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson has warned his players they are now playing for their futures after crashing out of the Scottish Cup to First Division side St Johnstone on Tuesday.
The SPL side had been favourites to progress from the replay at Love Street to a last-four meeting with Rangers or Partick Thistle at Hampden next month.
But goals from Rocco Quinn, Andy Jackson and Peter MacDonald sealed the win for the Perth Saints despite a late rally from the home side, which saw Billy Mehmet pull a goal back from the penalty spot.
MacPherson has told his players they must do better between now and the end of the season in the league campaign.
He said: "There are now eight or nine SPL games and there are quite a few of them playing for their futures, there is no doubt about that.
"There is a lot of hard work to be done and we won't accept what we got tonight. The players know that.
"You have to give St Johnstone credit. The way they started the game and the quality of the goals was great but it was very naive defending from us."
Celtic were also sent crashing out of the tournament at the hands of Aberdeen and MacPherson is well aware the 3-1 defeat was a chance lost for his men.
He added: "I couldn't even tell you the other scores, I'm not interested in the other scores.
"It was an opportunity for these players to make a name for themselves and they are extremely disappointed in there.
"They know they have let a lot of people down, most importantly themselves, because they are the ones who get judged on those performances. Likewise, we've got to take responsibility as well."
St Johnstone reached the semi-finals of both the Scottish Cup and the CIS Insurance Cup last season and boss Derek McInnes was thrilled to see his players ensure another successful cup campaign this time around.
He said: "I'm absolutely delighted. The boys put so much into the game and the standard of the goals we got was magnificent and I felt we set about the game in the right manner.
"We had initiative and started the game on the front foot. We had a few chances after that if I'm being greedy and nit-picking.
"It was too frantic for my liking in the second half but in general terms I was delighted with the players' efforts."