ST MIRREN defender Ian Maxwell says the Buddies are desperate to put the heartache of last season's Scottish Cup quarter-final loss to Gretna behind them by going as far as possible this time.

Gus MacPherson's side head for Tannadice tonight hoping to get the better of Dundee United for the first time this term, with a trip to Inverness Caley awaiting the winners.

But Maxy reckons the Saints couldn't be heading north at a worse time.

He said: "In the mini- bus on the way back from training yesterday, the boys were all saying how the defeat by Gretna still really hurt.

"We feel that was a real missed opportunity, what with them getting past Dundee in the semi-final and going to Hampden to face Hearts.

"You do wonder if that was an opportunity that may never come your way again. But, if anything, it has added to the determination to go as far as we can this season.

"Dundee United away is not the best draw and then the winner has to go to Inverness, so we certainly have had no favours from the luck of the draw."

United boss Craig Levein was furious after his team's capitulation at Ibrox and 30-year-old Maxwell - who has been frustrated by his lack of games following a hamstring injury - believes that will make things tougher for the Saints.

He said: "Craig Levein was pretty scathing in his comments and that means only one thing - he is after a reaction in the cup against us.

"Given the fact we haven't played for a fortnight, with the SPL fixture with Motherwell called off at the weekend, we could be going into this one in better shape.

"However, there is a positive side to that in that after the busy festive card a rest isn't necessarily a bad thing. So we are going into this one fresh and raring to go."