Pre-season predictions can often come back to bite those working in the media, and it seems that Mark O’Hara is definitely keeping the receipts.
The St Mirren captain has noted that once again, his side don’t seem to feature too heavily among the teams fancied to be competing in the top half of the table come the end of the campaign, despite being the only team outside of Celtic and Rangers to make the top six in each of the last three seasons.
But that suits O’Hara and his teammates just fine. A battling showing in their Premiership opener at Celtic Park may have ended with the heartbreaking concession of a late goal, but there was more than enough in their performance to suggest that Stephen Robinson and his men will be a force to be reckoned with once more this season, no matter what anyone else may think.
“Since I've been here, a lot of people wrote us off most seasons,” O’Hara said.
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The foundation for O’Hara’s confidence comes from the work that his manager and the club’s recruitment team have done over the close season, with new arrivals like goalkeeper Shamal George, Jayden Richardson, Richard King, Tunmise Sobowale and Roland Idowu all showing up well in the narrow defeat at Celtic Park.
“It's been a really exciting summer,” he said.
“We've brought in a lot of players, and there's a freshness to it this year that maybe there hasn't been in previous years.
“Although there is the core squad, which I think you do need as well, the continuity and the know-how from the boys that have been there, but there's definitely a freshness this year, and I'm sure we're going to be exciting to watch.
“It will take time for some of the new players to understand what the manager wants and how he works. There is a set way. I think when new boys come into the team, they will be surprised at the culture and how hard everyone works and how together everyone is.
“We've added boys that have got good character and they're going to learn and understand that. They're definitely pushing the boat forward.”
And O’Hara had particular praise for former Ross County keeper George.
“He obviously gives us confidence,” he said.
“He collects the ball well and his kicking's good. That was obviously the first real test he's had, and I thought he was excellent. I'm sure he's going to be a massive player for us.
“Ever since I've been here, the goalkeepers have been such a key part in why we've achieved top six the last three years.
“To add the quality of Shamal is going to be massive for us again, and I'm sure he's up to the task.”
O’Hara was obviously disappointed by the manner of the late deflected goal that St Mirren conceded to ensure they had nothing material to show for what was a huge effort against the champions, but he is certain that the feeling won’t linger, as he and his teammates gear up for the visit of Motherwell to Paisley this weekend.
“In terms of effort, we put a lot into that,” he said.
“People outside ourselves don't really give us a chance going to Celtic Park, but we saw it as a good chance to cause an upset on the opening day. Although there are positives to take and we will look forward to next week, we are disappointed.
“Especially because everyone has done their jobs, and a deflection, I don't think you do much about it at times.”
