'Just as difficult as Rangers' - St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin lavishes Hibs with praise as he targets 'upset'

St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin is anticipating just as difficult a game as Rangers when his side travel to Easter Road this evening to face Hibs.

Jim Goodwin is looking to cause an upset at Easter Road. Picture: SNS

The Buddies have been in excellent form of late, defeating both Aberdeen and Rangers in the last month to reach the last four of the Betfred Cup.

Goodwin reckons Hibs will pose just as much of a challenge as the teams in third and first in the Scottish Premiership.

He has been impressed with the work of former St Mirren boss Jack Ross, who signed Goodwin for Alloa Athletic.

“Wednesday night’s game is just as difficult, in my opinion, as the Rangers game and the Aberdeen game,” the Buddies boss told the official club site.

“Hibs are flying high, Jack Ross has got them well organised, playing good football.

"I watched their game against Dundee United over the weekend, but for some heroics from big [Benjamin] Siegrist in goal, Hibs could have easily scored three or four goals.

“We know we are up against it on Wednesday night, but we’re going there full of belief and confidence that we are capable of causing another upset.”

‘No reason to fear’

After a difficult start to the campaign, including a 3-0 loss to Hibs at home when they were without the club’s three goalkeepers, St Mirren are unbeaten in 11 in all competitions.

Goodwin has been able to find a great consistency of selection with a better squad depth and versatility in terms of how he lines them up.

In Irish pair Jake Doyle-Hayes and Dylan Connolly, as well as goalkeeper Jak Alnwick, they have some of the most in-form players in the league.

“There's no reason why we should fear going to Easter Road on Wednesday,” Goodwin said.

“We just have to realise why we’re getting the results we’re getting. First and foremost it’s hard work, it's being organised, it’s doing the basics well but added to that we’ve got some real quality in the team, some players that are playing right at the top of their game at the moment.

"The three in midfield have been outstanding, the boys at the back have been excellent. My goalkeeper, in my opinion, is one of the best keepers in the league at the moment and we're now getting goals up front as well.”