O’Hara has top six and Saints in sights

Dundee’s Mark O’Hara is focused on making it into the top six this season, and also has today’s opponents St Johnstone in his sights.

The Dark Blues are seventh, seven points behind Saints, who are fifth.

Paul Hartley’s side missed a chance to cut that gap two Wednesdays ago at Dens when beaten by Partick Thistle, who now lie sixth.

However, O’Hara is confident Dundee can bounce back this afternoon at McDiarmid Park against a side they beat comfortably the last time they met, on Hogmanay at Dens.

The 21-year-old midfielder said: “We have spoken this week and our target is definitely still top six.

“St Johnstone are seven points ahead of us just now and if we win it reduces to four and there is no reason why we shouldn’t be looking at catching them.

“Obviously it is going to be difficult with regards to the top six as Partick are also doing well, but we just need to focus on ourselves and keep winning as many games as possible.

“But we know we cannot afford too many slip-ups.

“With the exception of the Partick game, I think looking at recent matches, we are the form team.

“St Johnstone are struggling a bit so they are maybe under a little pressure.

“They obviously have a big incentive because if they win, they will be comfortable in the top six,” he said.

“St Johnstone are always a wellorganised team so I don’t think many people would have predicted we would win 3-0 the last time we played them.

“But they have a lot of options and good depth so it is always a tough game against them,” he said.

“Everybody here is still very confident we can make the top six.

“Maybe people looking in from outside might not be tipping us but we feel we have the players and the squad to achieve that top six.”

Prior to the Partick defeat, Dundee had secured memorable wins against Rangers and Motherwell, playing a high tempo style that the opposition struggled to live with.

However, the flip side of that was it took a lot out of the Dark Blues. But O’Hara is convinced that, having had some time off because of the Scottish Cup last weekend, the squad are refreshed and ready to go again.

He said: “I think the break was what we were needing. We had a couple of tough games and good results before the disappointing one against Partick.”

He added: “Obviously, the way we want to play just now is physically demanding. So it was good to get a wee recharge of the batteries and we are raring to go again this Saturday.

“Hopefully we can put in a similar performance to the Motherwell and Rangers games.”

Dundee are sure to take a big support through to McDiarmid Park.

When asked if they make a difference at away games, O’Hara insisted: “Definitely. There was a good turnout for the Motherwell match and they were very vocal.

“That does give the players a lift to run that extra yard, to do that extra bit.

“I know it shouldn’t be like that but they do count as the 12th man and they give you an extra boost.”

O’Hara has also received a boost recently, netting goals in successive games against Rangers and Motherwell.

Now, he is looking to continue hitting the back of the net on a regular basis.

He added: “I have been playing further up the park and it is something that will hopefully continue for me.

“Adding goals to my game is something that I have always wanted to improve on.

“The thing is, in training I would say finishing is one of my best assets but maybe in games I have not been in positions to finish very often.

“That is twice this season I have scored twice in a row but, fingers crossed, this time I can add to my tally quicker.”

Picture: SNS. Dundee’s Mark O’Hara: focused on making it into the top six.