SCOTTISH CUP MATCHES
St Mirren 0-0 Celtic
Dunfermline v Aberdeen
Inverness CT v Falkirk
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MY SPORT: DEBATE
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By Martin Conaghan
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1242: "This looks like being a really tight contest." BBC Radio Scotland commentator David Begg
Beggie also just mentioned the "St Mirren Park" swirl. We're not too sure what he's talking about, but we think it has something to do with the unique architectural structure of Paisley's newest landmark and how the wind is affected by the design.
1242: "Dear Gordon Strachan, If you don't want or won't use Willo Flood or Barry Robson, can we have them back please? Yours, Dundee United." emmagadgie. A letter from Tayside on My Sport.
1241: Still no scoring here at St Mirren Park. A few early chances for both sides, and Scott McDonald even managed to put the ball in back of net but the ref rightly ruled it offside.
1239: Celtic find themselves under a bit of pressure for the briefest of moments there, with Nakamura having to track back to the goal-line in an attempt to clear the ball. I get the impression St Mirren are keen to avoid a thrashing. They're certainly taking the game to the visitors.
1238: "Any chance of a Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink goal today?" asks Nicky Nicholson, via text on 80295
1237: Re 1229: "People care. Just a shame that the quality of the league has deteriorated markedly over the last few years. And that includes both sides of the old firm. It's as poor as it has ever been." DavidAttenborough on My Sport. Surely not THE David Attenborough? Shouldn't he be off in the Galapagos Islands studying the migration patterns of puffins?
1233: "The game has settled just for a moment and it had to, it was playing at some pace." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds
1232: The pace slows down a little as Celtic's Darren O'Dea gets something in his eye and he receives treatment on the sidelines. The Celtic physio skooshes water over the young man's coupon in an attempt to wheek it out. I think he'll live.
1230: Scott McDonald puts the ball in the back of the St Mirren net with a glancing header from a Shunsuke Nakamura cross, but the ref waves for offside. No complaints from the diminutive Antipodean goal specialist for that decision.
1229: "Does anyone care. Rangers or Celtic win everything. Be good for Scottish football to take these clubs out of the cup." DrFossie. Have your say on My Sport or send your thoughts via text on 80295
1227: Jack Ross scythes down Scott Brown in the centre circle after the Celtic midfielder breaks free with a long ball. Ross better watch himself this week after getting sent in for an early bath last week and costing his team a 28th minute penalty at Celtic Park. He'll end up in wee Gus MacPherson's bad books if he doesn't behave himself.
1226: St Mirren look like they've been working hard on the training ground this week to exorcise the ghosts of last week's nightmare 7-0 demolition. They look sharp, determined and eager. I reckon this one is going to be a cracker today.
1222: Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink skies a chance over the bar from a tight angle on the left-hand side just three feet away from the St Mirren goal. He looked like he was trying to kick the neighbour's dog. Just seven minutes played, and it's blistering stuff already here at the new St Mirren Park.
1221: "Crosas is a gem of a midfielder, he's really coming good of late and I expect a big performance from him again today." EmmDee57. Have your say on My Sport
1219: The match has barely started and Garry Brady has a pop from the edge of the penalty area, but it's well beaten away by Celtic keeper Artur Boruc. Looks like St Mirren are off to a flyer and mean business.
1218: So big Jan is back for Celtic. Will the big Dutchman break his duck and put the ball in the back of the net?
1217: TEAM NEWS: St Mirren: Smith, Ross, Potter, Haining, Camara, Dorman, Murray, Thomson, Brady, Mehmet, Dargo. Subs: Howard, Wyness, Hamilton, Barron, McGinn.
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, O'Dea, Nakamura, Crosas, Scott Brown, McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink. Subs: Mark Brown, Samaras, Hartley, Loovens, Conroy.
Today's referee is Charlie Richmond.
1214: Three more fab stats from my colleague Andy Campbell: Saints last reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup in 1987, the year they went on to win the tournament. Celtic have won the Scottish Cup more than any other club with 34 tournament victories. And, Celtic boss Gordon Strachan is gunning for his second Scottish Cup triumph with his side having won the trophy in 2007. Beat that Statto!
1208: St Mirren last beat Celtic during the 1989/90 season. The Buddies recorded two victories over the Hoops, including a 3-0 win at Celtic Park. Post us your crazy Scottish Cup stats at My Sport or send them via text on 80295
1205: So folks, we're getting geared up for the first big match of the afternoon here at BBC HQ in PQ. Do you think St Mirren goalie Chris Smith got a decent night's kip last night, or was he up all night wrestling with his pillow? Exactly a week ago, he conceded seven goals to the team he faces today - one of which was an own-goal from John Potter. That's enough to give you nightmares for a month.
1155: Welcome to one and all for Scottish Cup Saturday. Celtic face St Mirren in the early kick off at 1215 GMT, while Aberdeen travel to Dunfermline, and Inverness face Falkirk in the Highlands for places in the Scottish Cup semi-finals at Hampden.
I want to hear what you think of today's games as they unfold, so feel free to offer your pearls of wisdom here: My Sport and via text on 80295
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