O’Hara targets climb up league table after victory

Mark O’Hara admits it is nice to look at the league table and not see Dundee propping up the Premiership.

It was O’Hara’s two goals that earned the thrilling 2-1 win over Rangers at Dens Park eight days ago that pushed the Dark Blues off the foot and ahead of Partick Thistle.

Now what they must do is not sit back and wallow in what was a wonderful win – their first in the league since September 30.

Building on that success, though, won’t be easy as next up is a trip to the Highlands to face Ross County.

There is not a team in the land, including Celtic, who look at a fixture in Dingwall and think it will be a comfortable 90 minutes.

However, what the victory over the Gers has done is send the Dens men up the A9 with a spring in their step and a determination to keep climbing up the table.

O’Hara said: “It was massive for us to move off the bottom. We went through a wee run prior to the Rangers game and hardly picked up any points.

“We felt we had put in some good performances but didn’t have anything to really show for our efforts.

“So we need to take the confidence from beating a team like Rangers in such a big game which was live on television.

“Around the place there is a buzz which had maybe been lacking.

“I’m not saying the place was down but there has definitely been a good pick-up and everyone is raring to go, looking forward to County.

“It’s exciting now looking at the games ahead rather than worrying about things. Now we’re thinking we can win this game as opposed to thinking not so positively.

“It’s another massive opportunity to get three points and there is no point beating Rangers if we can’t build on it up there. We have shown everyone what we can do and we need to kick on now.”

O’Hara is clearly suited to facing Rangers, having now scored four times in three games against them at Dens.

Referring to his double, he said: “It was a bit surreal. It was one of these things which I just thought would happen. I had a feeling.

“It has happened before against Rangers at Dens and I did fancy myself to score, although getting two was a pleasant surprise. I was just delighted.

“It was good to receive so many nice messages of support and congratulations but the most important thing was getting the three points.”

O’Hara had substitute Scott Allan to thank for the precision pass that teed him up for the winner and he feels the pair can form a good partnership in the weeks and months ahead.

The former Kilmarnock man said: “Scott is the kind of player who looks to find you with the killer pass.

“It is good to know that if I am making runs he is going to find me more often than not.

“I have been in Scott’s team in training a couple of times this week and it is something we have been working on, and it has been effective.

“Hopefully, as the games come thick and fast, that partnership and understanding will continue.

“A lot of my game involves running off the ball but, beforehand, I had maybe made a couple of runs and hadn’t been found.

“Scott has that bit of quality and composure to find people in the final third. It is great to have him back in the fold.”

All three of Dundee’s three league wins this season have come at home so they could really do with one on the road.

O’Hara, though, knows that County will be formidable opponents.

He said: “In the last game on TV, I saw them play against Celtic and it took a late free-kick from Leigh Griffiths to win it.

“It’s going to be a battle. It will be interesting and hopefully we can come out on top.”

Mark O’Hara says Dundee need to kick on now after beating Rangers.