Euan O'Reilly's cup wish granted as Stenhousemuir winger relishes facing former club St Johnstone

Former St Johnstone winger Euan O’Reilly’s face lit up during the Viaplay Cup draw.

The 23-year-old, who plays for Stenhousemuir, is relishing a crack at Saints in the Group A opener next month.

O’Reilly, from Auchterarder, enjoyed a promising youth career at the Perth club and regularly trained with the first team but his development was hampered by injury.

Now he will be lining-up against familiar faces at Ochilview on July 15.

“This will be my first time playing against them,” O’Reilly said.

“You always look at the Premiership teams and it was the same as last year where I was praying for St Johnstone. I would have loved if it was to be at McDiarmid Park.

“But with it being at Ochilview on the astroturf, it should be a good game.”

O’Reilly, who has also spent time at Airdrie, added: “I wanted to face Saints. I played there before and still keep in touch with a few of the boys.

“At every team I’ve been to I’ve always wanted to draw them. I don’t think I have a point to prove, it will just be good to play against boys I’d played with before and Saints will bring a good crowd.

“A few of my pals are Saints fans - and so am I. Maybe I wasn’t for a few weeks when I was let go! But I still check the results on a Saturday with them being my local team.

“I still hope they do really well and would like to see them top six again.”

O’Reilly remains in regular contact with goalkeeper Ross Sinclair and midfielder Cammy Ballantyne.

He told the PA: “Some of the boys are good mates of mine.

“The club obviously has really high hopes for Ross and I hope he gets his chance now.

“Cammy had done so well at Montrose for a few years and I’d played against him when I was at Airdrie. He was running the show at times.

“He’d been back at Saints