O’Halloran is back in action for Saints

After returning to St Johnstone on loan for six months, Michael O’Halloran is hoping to rediscover his best form.

The winger was signed from the Saints by Mark Warburton for £500,000 in January last year but has struggled to make his mark at Ibrox.

Saints boss Tommy Wright wasted no time in getting O’Halloran back in action, giving him a second-half run-out during St Johnstone’s 2-0 friendly win over East Fife.

Michael O’Halloran hopes to rediscover his best form after returning to St Johnstone on loan for six months.

Former Rangers boss Mark Warburton spent £500,000 to sign the winger from Saints in January 2016 but he struggled to break into the first team at Ibrox.

He has now been allowed to head back to Perth on a deal running to January 1.

O’Halloran was quickly thrown back into action by Saints boss Tommy Wright as he made a second-half appearance during the 2-0 friendly win over East Fife.

Speaking after the warm-up clash, O’Halloran told Saints’ official website: “I’m delighted and really looking forward to the season starting next week.

“I’ve done well here before and had some good times so for me it was an easy decision to come back.

“There’s a few new boys that I’ll get to know and of course a lot of familiar faces.

“I’m looking forward to chipping in and helping the team. You want to be playing. I’ll work hard and make sure I’m ready for next week.”

In total, the former Bolton player made 37 appearances for Rangers, scoring three goals.

Warburton was first alerted to the threat O’Halloran’s direct running could offer when he helped St Johnstone knock Rangers out of the Scottish League Cup in September 2015.

But after completing his move to Ibrox he largely found himself watching from the bench.

He did his chances of impressing new boss Pedro Caixinha no favours when he failed to report for match duty with the club’s under-20 side last April.

Saints manager Tommy Wright said: “He’ll bring pace and quality to the team.

“I tried in January to get him back and then tried since the end of the season to get him back.”

The Perth boss confirmed the arrival of top target O’Halloran had ended interest in PSG trialist Romain Habran.