Going forward my aim is to score more

MARK O’HARA believes he’s ready to hit the goal trail after being relieved of some of his defensive duties in the draw with St Johnstone.

The Fir Park utility man had been deployed at centre-half in recent weeks but was back in an attacking midfield role in the absence of Allan Campbell.

And his first-half strike provided a moment of quality in an otherwise dull 1-1 stalemate. O’Hara said: “It was good to be back in midfield. I played there before but ended up playing more advanced.

“I enjoyed playing centreback and I’m happy to play wherever. It’s good to try to be effective all over the pitch.

“The goal was well-worked. That’s how we want to play, through the lines and move it about. We didn’t do that enough today which was disappointing. But we showed at times that we’re capable of doing that.

“I’ve scored some goals every season. Now I’ve got a target in my head I’d like to hit this season and that’s three so far.”

O’Hara didn’t want to dwell on the controversy surrounding the absence of Campbell and Barry Maguire due to coronavirus protocols.

He said: “To be honest it makes no difference. We just prepare as usual and treat it like every other game.

“If you have illnesses and call-offs there are people ready to step in. That‘s why we’ve got a squad which is capable of coping with that.

“St Johnstone played very well but we showed in spells in the first half we were maybe on our game. But on reflection a point’s maybe not a bad result.

Hopefully come the end of the season it will be a great point because we’re in the top six.”

O’Hara admits he’ll be doing his best to catch national boss Steve Clarke’s attention in the coming months.

He said: “I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a dream I’d love to achieve. That’s surely the case with every Scottish player. Hopefully If I work as hard as I can I’ll catch the eye.”