St Mirren Women playing at the SMiSA Stadium will allow them to take their mentality to the next level, says Kate Cooper.
Table-topping Buddies will host Kilwinning on Sunday afternoon at the club’s stadium.
The women’s side, who normally turn out at Mossedge Village, have played at the ground before, with this being the latest turn out for Cooper’s team.
And the head coach believes that football is all about “experiences” and getting the chance to walk out of the tunnel will be crucial for her side’s mentality.
“It is about giving them [the team] the opportunity to experience something that will take their mentality to the next level,” Cooper told the Paisley Daily Express. “And coming to play at the stadium does that.
“It changes the entire mentality of the club that they are playing for, that they are part of the St Mirren family who are a huge community club too.
“So I think for us it is about recognising that you are part of something that is special, and that is what you want. We want to be able to give them these opportunities to have the chance to go and play on a pitch that has a great surface, in front of their families.
“It is going to be an exciting, competitive game as Kilwinning will be coming to win it. Their position in the table [eighth] isn’t a true reflection as to what kind of team they are, they are much better.”
The occasion will see the league sponsors Barclays make an appearance at the game as well as Renfrewshire’s Lord Provost Lorraine Cameron.
Last week, Kate Cooper’s side comfortably dispatched Inverurie Loco Works at Harlaw Park in the Aberdeenshire town. Goals in the 4-1 win came from Nikki Lavery, Hannah Coyle, Helen McLeod and Megan Murray.
Cooper said it was a stern test for her side but every game is about getting the three points first and foremost.
She added: “It was a good result and it was a squad effort for the points. Inverurie are a young and talented team but our experience showed in the end.
“It is just all about taking it one game at a time and keeping that momentum going.”
Tickets for the game are on sale on the club’s website with prices for tickets being £5 for adults and £2 per child.
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