Wind the clock back some 19 years to Ibrox Stadium for the opening round of fixtures for the 1989/90 season. Rangers chairman David Murray unfurled the Premier League flag, the blue-clad masses mused over the historical ramifications of debutant Maurice Johnston and St Mirren, managed by the eternal optimist, Tony Fitzpatrick, wrecked the party with a 1-0 win.

Kenny McDowall, now a part of the Murray Park hierarchy, was the Saints hero with a goal which, depending on your leanings, was either a tremendous piece of opportunistic full-blooded robust striking following up a Chris Woods fumble, or a full-out act of GBH against a keeper who following the collision played no further part in the action. Rangers manager Graeme Souness savaged the decision to allow the goal to stand and labelled McDowall "a headless chicken".

Today Saints find themselves facing up to another curtain raising showdown with champions hoisting aloft the bunting in front of a partisan sell-out crowd. Having not tasted a win of any sorts over the Parkhead men since April 1990, when they famously humbled Billy McNeill's Bhoys 3-0, the Paisley men are desperate to prove lightning can strike twice.

Like any visiting team taking on either half of the Old Firm, Saints will need their share of luck and inspiration. Last term luck was not on their side as late equalisers and contentious free kicks left them with a feeling of injustice having matched, and at times outplayed, Gordon Strachan's men during two of the three meetings.

Gus MacPherson will send his men out to stifle and frustrate their hosts in a bid to knock them out of their stride and silence the crowd. As ever, making it through the opening 20 minutes at Parkhead is vital. If Saints can do this they might just have a little piece of history repeating.