Our record in this competition is not good. We got to the final in 1993 and were humped by Falkirk in terrible conditions at Fir Park. A semi final appearance and a few quarter final appearances are just about all we have to show for our efforts. Hamilton have won it twice, with Saints player/assistant Andy Millen and Hamilton boss Billy Reid playing for them on both occasions. By Sunday night, one of them will have a hat trick of medals.
For the past two seasons, the team that has won the competition has gone on to lift the first division trophy at the end of the season, and there's every chance that this could happen again, as Saints are currently top of the first division and Hamilton are second. Last month Hamilton humped us 3-1 at New Douglas Park, although we did beat them in the Scottish Cup in January.
Hamilton have a few injury worries ahead of Sunday's match. Ian Harty and Lee Hardy are both likely to miss out, which is good news for journalists who are worried about confusing their surnames. mark mcLaughlin is also a doubt. However, that means the rest of them are fit, including man mountain Pat Keogh and striker Bryan Carrigan. Both have caused Saints problems in the past.
Saints, on the other hand, have almost a clean bill of health. Ryan McCay looks likely not to make the squad, but everyone else should. Brian McGinty played in a reserve game during the week and could make the bench, whilst Kirk Broadfoot is likely to return to the starting lineup after patching up his differences with Saints boss Gus MacPherson. Hugh Murray and Ian Maxwell both picked up knocks last week but should be available for selection. MacPherson says that, barring fitness problems, he already knows the team that will start on Sunday.
So, prediction time. Saints have a record of disappointing on big occasions and when the pressure is on, so I think hamilton will win 1-0. However, I'd dearly love to be wrong.