O’Brien: Upturn will mean nothing if Saints relax
BILLY O’BRIEN has urged St Mirren to keep their eye on the prize as they are finally within reach of leaving rock bottom.
The Buddies have been anchored to the foot of the Championship table since September and at one stage earlier this year looked destined to plummet into Scotland’s third tier
However, a stunning run of results under Jack Ross has breathed fresh life into their survival hopes.
On the back of winning five out of their last seven games, victory at home to Dumbarton today could take St Mirren out of 10th and potentially up to the heights of eighth.
Saints’ on-loan keeper O’Brien has been a major part of that upturn since coming in back in January, but the Man City shot stopper is refusing to get carried away.
He said: “It’s a huge inventive to know we can get off the bottom but at the same time we’re not looking at any particular game.
“We just know we have six huge games left and we need to do what we can.
“I know we can stay up if we do what we have been doing.
“It’s a massive game and we know that. We just have to focus on what we can.
“It has turned around. As soon as I came in I saw the squad gel. I had a really good feeling about it then.
“We’ve done well but it counts for nothing. We need to keep going.”
The 21-year-old has become a bit of a cult hero since joining St Mirren three months ago.
Knowing his future at the Etihad beyond this summer is bleak, the Englishman is still hopeful he can secure a permanent home in Paisley.
“Absolutely,” he said. “I’m loving every day. Going into training is what I’ve wanted and waited for a long time.
“I feel as if I’m getting somewhere in my career now.
“Playing in front of fans and with great players is fantastic.
“A few have deals up at the end of the season. For me it gives incentive.”