ST MIRREN defender Jack Ross is still smarting from his role in Saints' capitulation at Celtic Park last Saturday.

But as Gus MacPherson's side prepare to face down their demons by going toe-to-toe against the Hoops for a place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals this weekend, Ross is determined that the Saints won't be haunted by the 7-0 hammering.

Ross was forced to sit out the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen on Tuesday night following his red card at Celtic Park last weekend.

But he is back for today's game and is confident that psychologically St Mirren can put the demoralising defeat firmly to the backs of their minds.

Left gutted at the last-minute leveller that prevented them from taking all three points against the Dons midweek which would have been the perfect preparation for this weekend's game, Ross is nevertheless looking forward to squaring up against Gordon Strachan's side.

"It suits my style of play and it's actually great to have Celtic again so soon," he said.

"Facing talents like Aiden McGeady and Shunsuke Nakamura can only be good for your game, although I do have a fair bit of experience myself.

"I'd like to think I have been around long enough now not to feel the slightest bit overawed by them, but you do go away and prepare thoroughly when you know you'll be up against players like that.

"I won't prepare any differently than I would for any other game. I always try and do my homework regardless of which team we are up against and I know that I need to be on my toes against them.

"But, bizarrely enough, I don't think that we have been playing all that badly even though we haven't won at the new stadium yet.

"The bottom line is that this is a cup game and we are just two games away from a place in the final. That is the stuff we have to think about rather than anything else."

Celtic have yet to play at St Mirren's new home and Ross hopes the surface can contribute to a decent game. The defender knows that Celtic's players will relish the chance to move the ball around but it confident that St Mirren can match them.

"The great surface here could suit Celtic because all good players will like it," he said.

"I actually wasn't sure of the new place at first, just the sound from the stands and the atmosphere.

"But I really like it now and we feel lucky that we have such a cracking surface to play on, especially when you know what some guys are playing on every other week.

"It is up to us now to try and make our own little bits of history at the new stadium and games like this are a chance to do that.

"We have won here in the Scottish Cup against Motherwell but not in the league and maybe that can be an omen for us.

"We should have a big advantage in the cup match, because we have got used to the new stadium now and the surface is brilliant.

"Your only worry would be that it will also suit Celtic's wingers.

"But you can only feel inspired by the large crowd and the atmosphere their fans create, so we should all be looking forward to games like this."