BEEN A LONG TIME WAITIN’ FOR PATON
Harry’s goal ended an 18-month drought
IT was 18 months and 39 games in the making.
Ross County goal hero Harry Paton reckons the relief of finally breaking his top-flight scoring duck was nothing compared to the shock of doing it with a swing of his left foot.
Paton lashed home a brilliant opener from 20 yards in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Hibs at Easter Road, which has breathed life into the Staggies’ flagging campaign.
Now John Hughes’ side are looking to make it back-toback victories when they face St Johnstone this afternoon.
Paton hopes his goal will prove to be the turning point in a campaign that was spiralling out of control on the back of 13 league games without victory.
The midfielder said: “The win has been a long time coming. It was really tough at the weekend against St Mirren because we were playing the same kind of football until we got the man sent off.
“The boys have been really good and we know what we can do. It’s good to show that with this result.
“It’s great for me personally to get the goal. I’ve been searching for that all season.
“I’ve been getting chances, it’s just nice to have it finally pay off. I’ve been working hard in training. When I get into those positions I need to be composed to finish the move and get it on target.
“It has been coming along and I showed against Hibs I can score.
“It was a great finish, with my left foot as well. I think I’m a left-footer now!”
Paton has been bowled over by Hughes’ impact in less than two weeks in charge.
Three games in eight days meant a whirlwind start for the new boss.
Victory at Easter Road lifted them off the foot of the table and another three points today would take them above Saints and potentially into ninth.
Paton, 22, said: “The boss is a really good manager.
“He has been working with individuals and also with us as a team.
“As the manager has said, we just have to keep going.
“If things are going well, or if they are going badly, it’s just the same mentality.
“We need to take the Hibs performance into the game against St Johnstone and look to try to build on it.
“We just need to keep playing the same way we have been playing.”