Queen's Park have appointed Mark Roberts as their permanent manager following the departure of Gus MacPherson.

The 42-year-old former Ayr United manager takes charge of the Spiders after MacPherson returned to take up a role as technical director at St Mirren, and will face the Buddies under-21 side in his first official game in charge in today's Challenge Cup tie.

The former Kilmarnock forward had been in interim charge of the club for the last three weeks.

Ahead of the tie, Roberts told the club website: Roberts said: “It’s a game we’re very much looking forward to. The opportunity to reach the quarter final stage of a cup competition doesn’t come around too often and it’s one we’re looking to grasp. When you get to this stage in a tournament things become that bit more serious.

“We’ll obviously be up against a young side but they are players who are at a Premiership team on merit, and progression in the competition will be no easy task. From our perspective though, we know if we play close to the best of our abilities we will give ourselves a really good chance of getting through.

“Last week’s victory was an important one for us and sets us up nicely for two cup games in a row. I thought the players were outstanding in that match and we’ll be looking for that same work level and commitment against St Mirren.

“Ultimately we might be up against a Colt team but it’s a game of football like any other and we have to focus on winning the battles in key areas on the park."