NEVER AGAIN
O’Hara’s out to avoid another play-off visit on Rugby Park return
MARK O’HARA’S last memory of Rugby Park saw Kilmarnock clinch Premiership survival via the nail-biting play-offs.
And the Dundee midfielder never wants to go through that nerve-shredding experience again as he makes a return to Ayrshire.
O’Hara was part of Lee Clark’s relieved side that stayed up by the skin of their teeth thanks to a win over Championship hopefuls Falkirk in the Final last May.
The 21-year-old moved to Dee in the summer but he’s back at his old stomping ground today as Neil McCann’s side aim to build on last week’s 3-2 win at rivals Motherwell with a victory that would likely seal their place in the top flight.
O’Hara said: “I played the first leg then came on in the second. When I came on I didn’t have to worry about anything as we were already 4-0 up.
“It was the last time I was there. In the first game everybody was nervous, especially being the Premiership side. Falkirk had everything to gain.
“It was a nervous affair but it brought out a good crowd and the atmosphere at Rugby Park was brilliant. It’s a position I don’t want to be in again, for sure.”
O’Hara bumped into a few of his former team-mates last weekend but insists there will be no old pals’ act today.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to it. The first time I was there this season I was injured so this will be my first time back. “We saw the boys in the Bothwell Bridge Hotel pre-match last week when they were playing Hamilton and I’ve have kept in contact with a few – but hopefully we will be taking three points off them.”
Dee, who ended a disastrous run of seven straight Premiership defeats at Fir Park, welcome back stopper Cammy Kerr after a ban.
New gaffer McCann said: “Cammy comes back into the equation for this game, which is another plus for us.
“We have to go there with confidence and try to get another positive result. That’s how we’re approaching this match.”