Ethan Erhahon has no doubt his former Buddies will finally step up and finish in the top-six this season.
And the 21-year-old revealed the thought of missing out on that historic moment in Paisley was one of the hardest parts of his decision to step away from his boyhood club.
Erhahon, who had been with the Saints since the age of five before joining Lincoln City last month, was a key member of the squad that agonisingly missed out on a top-half finish in 2021 after Hamilton Accies’ painful last-minute equaliser. That saw them cruelly miss out on the top six on goal difference alone.
St Mirren have never finished in the top six in the Premiership’s current format, with their last top-half finish in the top flight coming all the way back in 1985.
But Erhahon is fully confident his old club will at long last make their top-six dream a reality this season. And he insists he’ll have one of his characteristic big smiles on his face when he sees that happen.
Speaking exclusively to Renfrewshire Live Sport, Erhahon said: “It was an extremely hard decision to leave St Mirren, a club who had given me so much.
“Making the top six has been our target for a long time and that was one of the main reasons why it was such a tough decision to move. The group have got a big chance of doing something special this season and I didn’t want to miss out on that.
“I talked to my mum and my agents about it and told them I’d be gutted not to be a part of it. But ultimately I will get to watch it as a fan and I’ll have the biggest smile on my face if they do manage it.
“I felt like I contributed to the first half of the season too. That made the decision a little easier, and I’d be so proud to see the lads finish off the job.
“It’s so hard for a team of St Mirren’s size to do it but I have no doubt they’ll do it this year.
“Sometimes you have to go through the hard times, like losing that late goal against Hamilton, to get to the good times.
“It’ll be even sweeter when we prove the doubters wrong and finally get it done.”
Erhahon has taken to his new English League One side like a duck to water, earning two man-of-the-match awards in his first two games – victories against Accrington Stanley and Bristol Rovers.
As well as leaving behind management duo Stephen Robinson and Diarmuid O’Carroll, Erhahon also insists he’ll miss many of his former St Mirren teammates who became close friends over the last few years.
Erhahon said: “Robbo and Derm have been absolutely brilliant with me. They took my game to the next level.
“The thing that sets Robbo apart is that he gets to know you on a personal as well as a football level. That’s the main difference for me between him and previous managers.
“Tactically he is so strong as well. I never went out on the pitch once not knowing what my job was and you can see that in how well the team works.
“I’m definitely more mature now and I’ve realised the older you get that coaches are there to help you. It’s all about learning as much as you can.
“I genuinely got on with everyone in that dressing room. I will miss hearing Chilli D’s [Charles Dunne’s] loud voice every day. He was always such a good laugh.
“I’ll miss talking football with Kilts [Greg Kiltie]. Ryan Flynn as well. He’s the longest-serving player there now I’ve left. I was very close to Dylan Reid as well. We’ve organised to meet up soon and I’ve got so much time for him.
“I always used to joke with him that I’d come along wherever he went as a package deal, because I knew he’d get a big move one day!”
READ MORE:
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
