St Johnstone v Motherwell: Stephen O'Donnell gunning for Saints in cup rematch

The Steelmen head to Perth looking to reach the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup

Stephen O’Donnell is gunning for St Johnstone on Saturday – but it has nothing to do with last season’s cup disappointment.

The Wishaw ace was part of the side that lost 1-0 at McDiarmid Park in the Scottish Cup fourth round in January, and 2-1 in the Premiership seven days later.

But the defender insists he simply wants to progress to the quarter-finals and try to get a gala day at Hampden this season.

Motherwell reached the semi-finals of this competition last season before bowing out to beaten finalists Rangers, but injury robbed O’Donnell of his day at the national stadium.

When asked if ‘revenge’ is on his mind, O’Donnell said: “If that’s what needs to motivate you, that’s what needs to motivate you!

“I want to win every game, I want to compete in every game, and this is going to be no different – I want to play every game.

“We’ll see what the team is, come Saturday, and hopefully whoever is in it, we can win the game.

“We all loved it last season when we went to Hampden, and I was obviously disappointed not to be involved in it. I would love to change that this season.

“I would love to be involved and get to taste that atmosphere with the fans – it was amazing to be a part of it in the stand, and hopefully I can be part of it on the pitch.

“But definitely it’s a big game against St Johnstone, hopefully we can win that and go from there.”

Motherwell’s double defeat in Perth last January contributed to boss Stuart Kettlewell’s decision to step down, but O’Donnell reckons both sides are in a better place, now.

Motherwell are finding their way under Jens Berthel Askou, while Saints were relegated last season, but are top of the Championship with two straight wins.

O’Donnell said: “It was a difficult period, and certainly in the second game I thought we played really well.

“I don’t want to say ‘capitulated’ because that’s a strong word, but we fell away in the last five or 10 minutes.

“We’re a different side, they’re a different side, and I watched their game against Ross County on the Friday night. They played some really good stuff and got a good result up in Dingwall, so they’ll be full of confidence.

“I don’t see any reason for us to go up there and fear them. I hope it’s a good game for the neutral, and more importantly, I hope we can come away with the win.”