As St Mirren turned on the style on Saturday afternoon Conor McMenamin was hoping that one observer was taking particular note. With Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill among the crowd as the Paisley side steamrolled their way over the top of Forfar, the midfielder is confident that his move from Glentoran this summer can enhance his international ambitions.
The 27-year-old has six caps after making his senior international debut against Cyprus in the Nations League last June. Adding to that number was a significant part of his move to Stephen Robinson’s side.
“I want to try and earn more caps because I love playing for Northern Ireland,” he said. "Me coming here and playing at that level should help. I spoke to him [O’Neill] before the move happened and he told me I had to come this summer and try to kick on and better myself.
"He told me to believe in myself, because he believes in me. He gave me my chance and it's all been positive. He fills me with belief when I'm away with him and the boys.
"I didn’t see him (inside the stadium) but I did try to catch him on the way out!"
Robinson’s side topped their Viaplay League Cup group, a decent return given the awkward defeat that opened their tournament against Montrose. With an away game now at Easter Road next Sunday evening to kick off their Premiership season, McMenamin is confident that St Mirren are ready to build on the top six foundations that were set last term.
"The performance between this game and the Montrose game is night and day,” he said. "We make no excuses about that day. The gaffer made us well aware it wasn't good enough and us as players had to take responsibility, no matter where we're playing or who we're playing. Our standards have to be better than that and the last couple of games we've been a lot better.
"You know what you're getting with him [Robinson]. There's no beating around the bush, he just tells you to your face how it is. No player has any excuse then. If you're in form or not then he'll tell you and that's a good thing in my opinion."
There was nothing much to complain about on Saturday. A Mikael Mandron double supplemented by a Mark O’Hara penalty and an Alex Gogic goal on the cusp of the half-time interval meant St Mirren’s work was done by the break.
Ryan Strain was particularly instrumental in the win with McMenamin enjoying playing with the Australian internationalist.
"That's the first time we've played together out on the right,” he said. “ I think it worked well, especially in the first half. We created a lot of chances and the goals came from down our side. Long may that continue.
"It was great to be out there and get 90 minutes in my legs ahead of next week.I took a knock a couple of weeks ago and was struggling with it the last 10 days. I'm feeling confident now. The more I get to know the boys and the better they know me, they're helping me settle in well.
"Coming into training every day, I'm building those relationships up. It's a brand new team for me, it's like starting school again! You don't know people, but they're slowly learning my game and I'm learning theirs. I'm understanding more what the gaffer wants from me now as well and it feels like we're getting there now.
“ I've come here to challenge myself, away from home in a new environment. Hopefully I can hit the ground running."
