McLeish vows rivals must claw Scottish League Cup from St Mirren

St Mirren’s campaign to retain the Scottish League Cup hit a setback when they were beaten 1‑0 at home by Dunfermline Athletic in their final group‑stage match, a late penalty costing them a seeded place and setting up a daunting last‑16 draw away to Rangers.

Samuel Ramos saw a goal ruled out when Eseosa Sule was judged to have fouled goalkeeper Aston Oxborough. Craig McLeish said he "didn't see how our goal's been disallowed in the first half" and added that such a decision "changes the game".

The decisive moment came in the second half when a late penalty gave Dunfermline the only goal of the game. The 1‑0 loss meant St Mirren failed to finish with enough points to be one of the seeded teams, even though they still topped their section.

Because of the points shortfall, the draw paired the Paisley side with Rangers away in the last‑16, a tie McLeish described as the "most difficult draw". He lamented that the team had "thrown away the opportunity" to secure a seeded position.

McLeish also criticised the team's own pressure, saying they "brought pressure on ourselves when we don't need to" and that they must be "smarter in our decisions at that stage of the game". He stressed that the holders will fight and that defending the trophy requires beating big teams, as they did last year.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, the manager expressed his frustration with the ending and reiterated the club's resolve. The comments came from the St Mirren camp based in Paisley, Scotland, underscoring their determination to retain the Scottish League Cup.