By Kyle Gunn

Alan Stubbs knows that if St Mirren were to win at Pittodrie this weekend it would be viewed as a cup shock.

The Buddies face Aberdeen in the second round of the BetFred Cup on Saturday.

And the manager is under no illusions how hard a game his team will face up against Derek McInnes’ charges.

He said: “It’s a test because we will come up against a team that has been second best for the last four or five years. Derek (McInnes) has built a really strong and competitive squad there and they have gone from strength to strength.

“He is probably still looking to bring a few more in himself and has probably found it as frustrating as everyone else in terms of finding players he feels can take Aberdeen on to that next step.

“For us, it is a cup game and a chance for us to try and cause an upset – because that is what it would be.”

The Englishman has previous against the Dons in the League Cup after his Hibs side dumped them out of the third round in 2015.

And he’s hoping to repeat that result this on Saturday.

“We beat them at Easter Road in the League Cup," he recalled. "Malonga scored the second late on – so we have had a little bit of success against them.

“From where we are now to where Aberdeen are, it just gives the team the belief that they can go and compete. We know it is going to be a difficult game on Saturday, but we know Aberdeen would be favourites whether it was home or away.

“The fact that we are going to Pittodrie means that we know it is going to be a difficult game. But it is a cup and we want to try and progress to the next round and cause that upset.”

Stubbs later indicated that the Paisley club’s transfer business may not be over.

Southampton youngster Alfie Jones was confirmed as the 11th addition to the Premiership new boys’ squad on Wednesday.

The Gazette:

New St Mirren boy Alfie Jones at the Simple Digital Arena. 

The manager said: "I’m still hoping we can do a little bit of business between now and the window closing.”

“Hopefully we will have more coming in than going out.”

“There might be a couple that go out but we are still active in terms of strengthening the squad.”