Steven MacLean believes Scottish League Cup glory would usurp St Johnstone’s historic Scottish Cup final victory of 2014.
In a never-to-be-forgotten day for the McDiarmid Park club at Celtic Park, the 33-year-old striker scored the second goal in a 2-0 win over Dundee United which saw a major trophy paraded in Perth for the first time in the club’s then 130-year-history.
Saints are within 90 minutes of the League Cup final after their 3-1 quarter-final win over Ladbrokes Championship side Morton at Cappielow on Tuesday night.
MacLean levelled from the spot after Denny Johnstone fired the home side into the lead just after the break and goals from in-form Michael O’Halloran and substitute Chris Kane eased Tommy Wright’s men into the semi-final draw.
Asked how he felt about the prospect of completing a cup double, MacLean said: “It would be probably even better than winning the Scottish Cup.
“For St Johnstone to go and win another cup so quickly, it would be fantastic for the group of players, the staff, the supporters, the whole club.
“It would even top the Scottish Cup. But if you get ahead of yourself you are just going to shoot yourself in the foot.
“I think you just have to play the games. But we went to Ibrox and won against Rangers so why can’t we win in a semi-final against whoever?
“We have proved on our day that we are a match for any team.
“It was a tough game against Morton and we are delighted to be in the next round.
“We will look forward to the draw and see what the semi-final brings.”
St Johnstone’s 3-1 win at Ibrox in the third-round suggested that Championship leaders Rangers, making their way back through the leagues after re-emerging in the bottom tier of Scottish football following their financial problems in 2012, still have a bit to do before they can compete with top-flight teams.
In the meantime, MacLean, who started his career at the Govan club, before spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff City and Plymouth, among others, believes that other clubs have a better chance of winning silverware.
“With what’s happened to Rangers, it has given other teams a chance,” he said.
“And it is important that other teams try taking their chance when it comes along.
“Rangers are getting stronger and stronger. Every year they will improve and it will get harder and harder (to win trophies) and every year that Rangers improve, Celtic will improve.
“I think they will invest a bit more money so it is going to be harder and harder so when the opportunity arises I think you have to try to take it.”