Mark O’Hara says Peter Hartley has had a major impact since checking in at St Mirren.
The 36-year-old was appointed as head of first team transition and loan pathways earlier this season after Brian Kerr was promoted to assistant manager following Diarmuid O’Carroll’s departure to Newcastle United Under-21s.
And it looks like he has already impressed Buddies captain with his work around Ralston.
O’Hara already knows of Hartley’s leadership skills as the two crossed paths at Motherwell when the 28-year-old signed from Peterborough United and Hartley was skipper at Fir Park.
“Peter was captain at Motherwell when I signed from Peterborough,” he said. “Peter was a great captain. He reached out and made sure everyone was fine around the changing room.
“It’s great to have his leadership qualities coming in as a coach and he’s quickly made a big impact.”
It is not only the coaches that have been impressing the skipper – youngsters such as Evan Mooney, Callum Penman and Luke Kenny are also catching his eye.
Winger Mooney made his first-team debut as a substitute against Hearts in a 4-0 defeat at Tynecastle in October.
He has continued to push for more minutes under Stephen Robinson by shining for the Under-18s with a hat-trick against the Jambos last week in the Scottish Youth Cup.
McGinn said Mooney’s goalscoring will not go unnoticed if he continues to find the back of the net.
O’Hara says that when he and Penman are in training, they are eager to learn as they often come to him for advice.
“Evan and Callum have been training with us every day,” he added. “I’ve been impressed with them. They’ve both got quality and a great work ethic.”
Meanwhile, Saints have confirmed Marcus Fraser’s red card in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Dundee United at Tannadice has been rescinded.
Following a fast-track tribunal, the 30-year-old will now be eligible for this weekend’s Premiership clash with Motherwell at the SMiSA Stadium.
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