Barrhead boy Mark O’Hara revealed moving to the Paisley Saints has led to his most enjoyable spell in football.
Now the 27-year-old is determined to help his side match their struggling away form with their impressive home run.
The Buddies made it nine games unbeaten on home turf after toppling Aberdeen 3-1 on Christmas Eve – with O’Hara netting his fifth goal of the campaign since joining the club in the summer from Motherwell.
O’Hara always has plenty of support in the stands at the SMiSA Stadium, with the stand-in skipper needing to dole tickets out to family members for every game in Paisley.
He’s loving his Saints stint so far and believes there’s still plenty more to come this season if the club can kick on outside of Renfrewshire.
O’Hara told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “It was a great crowd and atmosphere against Aberdeen and a great game to be a part of. It’s only positive the crowds have gone up.
“Without a doubt it’s the most enjoyable time I’ve had in my career. My family is very local and I’ve had an affiliation with St Mirren growing up so I’m really enjoying myself.
“I think I need to get about 10 tickets every week! There are quite a lot who come along and have season tickets so it’s great to play in front of my family.
“I think performances at home have been like that all season. There’s a real togetherness and determination to get results and it’s only going to benefit us.
“Looking at the first half of the season, I think it’s well known our away results, more than performances, haven’t mirrored that. It’s an easy thing to address and if we do that we can keep climbing the table.
“The home fans are definitely making a difference. When we’re under pressure, the encouragement really gets us over the line. It’s been like that many a time at home.
“It’s two big games with these away games coming up where we really want to put that right.”
O’Hara surprised everybody when he passed up the chance to net another goal from the penalty spot against the Dons, with Jonah Ayunga stepping up and subsequently missing St Mirren’s third spot-kick on Christmas Eve.
He had plenty of sympathy for the striker, while thanking team-mate Greg Kiltie for getting the crucial result over the line with the Buddies’ third on the day.
O’Hara said: “At 2-1, we were in control of the game then they threw everything at us and we showed a bit of resilience to get over the line.
“So, to see that ball go in for the third was a major relief!
“I looked at Jonah before the third penalty and he pointed to himself. I just felt it was better going with a fresh idea. The manager said after it was a tricky one.
“Jonah fancied it and I thought it was a good idea to mix it up, rather than the goalie and me and having mind games.
“It’s not easy when they’re reviewing things on VAR. There’s a bit of extra pressure and added tension and you’re probably doubting yourself. But I did feel sorry for him because he deserved that goal.
“When it fell to Kiltie there was a lot of pressure on that left side and it was great composure to caress it to make sure it went in, When it hit the back of the net it was sheer relief from all of us.”
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