ST MIRREN boss Gus MacPherson has always considered Old Firm managers Walter Smith and Gordon Strachan the perfect men to turn to for advice since joining the managerial ranks.

Now, having knocked Strachan's Celtic out of the Homecoming Scottish Cup in the previous round, the St Mirren manager is aiming to mastermind another shock to try and lead his side into the cup final against all the odds.

At Hampden Park on Saturday afternoon, MacPherson will pit his wits against the man regarded as the footballing godfather in this country in the shape of Gers boss Smith.

Although MacPherson has made great strides in his chosen profession, and is now considered to be one of the country's top young managers, he makes no secret of the fact the men who manage the big two are a massive influence on him and the way he goes about his business.

"Walter Smith and Gordon Strachan have been a fantastic help to me," said the Saints gaffer. "And I'm sure I'm speaking on behalf on most of the younger managers in the country when I say that.

"When you are the manager of Celtic and Rangers, every decision you make is analysed then analysed again and again.

"You are under the microscope, but Walter and Gordon have a wealth of experience.

"They have won countless titles in Scotland as well as domestic cup competitions, they been extremely successful in Europe and they have also managed in the English Premier League.

"However, I've always found the pair of them extremely approachable.

"I'm sure I speak on behalf of various managers in Scotland, and not only in the SPL, when I say they have been a huge help over the years.

"They are always on the other end of a phone if you need to ask them anything.

"I suppose when you are a football manager you can get wrapped up in everything that is happening at your own club, but the two guys are different class in the time they set aside for a chat, especially given what they have to deal with themselves on a daily basis."

As much as MacPherson has huge respect for the Old Firm bosses, that hasn't stopped him from inflicting defeats on the pair on them. And he craves more.

A shock 1-0 win over Celtic at New St Mirren Park ended the Parkhead club's involvement in the competition in March, and now he has targeted taking the scalp the other half of the Old Firm.

"Obviously most people expected Celtic to beat us in the quarter-finals," explained MacPherson.

"They had beaten us 7-0 the previous weekend, and you know it's such a big ask to beat them whether you are playing home or away.

"However, we worked ever so hard that day. We pressed them down very quickly and tried our best not to give them any space or time on the ball."

He went on: "We managed to get the goal from the penalty spot and defended particularly well thereafter.

"It was certainly a fantastic result for us, and one that has to give us terrific confidence going into a one-off game against Rangers this weekend."

The Ibrox club, of course, have also been put to the sword by St Mirren this season on SPL business, and it would be one of the greatest achievements in MacPherson's managerial career if he were to help St Mirren pull off another major shock.

The club, indeed the entire town of Paisley, still reveres the 1987 Saints cup-winning side that beat Dundee United in their most famous hour.

MacPherson and his men could emulate that this season if they beat Rangers and book a place against either Falkirk or Dunfermline.

But, as you might expect from the boss, he is refusing to get carried away. It's been business as usual this week as Saints prepare for the semi-final showdown.

"We won't be doing anything different in the build-up to the game," said MacPherson. "We'll spend the night before the game at a hotel, which we do on occasion.

"Apart from that, training will be pretty much standard. The closer we get to the game, the more you'll notice an edge in training. Everyone will want to impress as they focus on the task awaiting us.

"However, we are fully aware it's going to require a massive effort on our part. We are facing a team that is very much in the title hunt and a team packed with internationals.

"So, to have any chance, we'll need our players to hit top form at the National Stadium. I'm sure all of our boys are looking forward to playing at Hampden and taking part in a semi-final of a national cup competition.

"However, what I will be saying to them is to make sure they don't turn up and get blown away by everything.

"We are going there to compete as best we can and try to get ourselves into the final."