Setting out with the ambition to bring home some silverware is a tall order for most teams these days in Scottish football.
Only three teams other than Celtic – Aberdeen, Rangers and St Johnstone – have won a major domestic trophy in the past nine seasons.
Yet hope still springs eternal. And at St Mirren, it’s easy to see why.
Sixth, fifth and sixth over the past three seasons, the Paisley outfit have become unlikely top-six regulars and continued to outperform their budget.
On Saturday, Stephen Robinson’s side start their competitive campaign away to Arbroath in the Scottish League Cup group stage (15:00).
With Forfar Athletic, Annan Athletic and Ayr United to come thereafter, St Mirren have a decent enough draw and can realistically expect to be in the last 16.
But could it get even better than that?
