BACKTOE MYBEST!

Olusanya happy to put injury woe behind him

Toyosi Olusanya admits he is delighted to put the dark days of last season behind him and make a splash for St Mirren.

The Buddies forward endured a difficult first year north of the border after being sidelined for months with a toe injury.

He eventually went on loan to Arbroath before returning to the SMiSA in the summer fit and ready to fight for his place.

And the hard work the 26-yearold has put in to get right has paid off after Olusanya netted crucial goals against Ross County and Aberdeen either side of signing a one-year contract extension.

“It’s what I have been working hard for and it meant a lot,” he told club media. “I just want to come on and affect games as much as possible and I felt I did that in both the [recent] games. Signing that new contract, it’s probably the first time in my career that I’ve had that bit of security going forward. I was happy to know what I’d be doing next year so early-on.

“I was excited to come here. You really just want to hit the ground running and win the approval of team-mates and fans.

“Unfortunately, it didn’t go that way for me. I got injured and coming back was tough.”

Olusanya credits physio Gerry Docherty with helping him find a way forward. “One thing I have learned from being injured is it doesn’t have to be dark,” he reflected. “You can enjoy your rehab and the more seriously you take it, you start to see light at the end of the tunnel. Gerry’s a great guy, we get on so well and I appreciate everything he’s done.

“My game wasn’t where it needed to be, I wasn’t doing the basics right, I was overthinking and you just get into your own head sometimes. I felt I needed to go out on loan, which I did, but even then I wasn’t the player I am right now. However, it all paid off.

“I just decided that I would work hard every day. I feel that has saved me so far.”

Olusanya is gearing up for Saturday’s Premiership top-six showdown at Kilmarnock with over 2,000 Saints supporters travelling. “The fans are massive for us,” he added. “We always want to put on a show.”