Mark O’Hara admitted the overriding emotion was relief after St Mirren stormed back into the winners’ enclosure.
The Buddies inflicted capital punishment on Hearts as they pulled off a 2-1 victory at the SMiSA Stadium on Saturday to move up to fifth place in the Premiership.
Captain O’Hara set up Richard Taylor’s early opener with Toyosi Olusanya also on target after Craig Halkett’s leveller for the beleaguered Jambos.
Saints hadn’t won in seven games although that run of fixtures included facing three of last season’s top six, rampant Aberdeen and SK Brann in Europe.
Having dropped points against Dundee and Kilmarnock in their last two matches, O’Hara and his Buddies were determined not to be part of an unwanted hat-trick.
And the 28-year-old believes this win was delivered on the back of their most complete performance of the campaign so far. He said: “It’s a bit of a relief on the back of two draws, and a reward for all of our hard work over the last few games.
“I wasn’t aware it was that long since our last win and I think because of the international break it feels a bit exaggerated.
“We were confident that it was going to come. We should have won against Kilmarnock and, when they were down to 10 men, there was added pressure but here we stuck together and it is a relief to get that three points.
“We were well on it and there was a lot of energy about us which has maybe been missing in previous games. To have that back gave us a better chance of winning.
“The league is so tight and there’s not much between anyone. It’s fine lines and I think if we’d had another win from the last two games we’d be right up there.
“We’re looking up and we’ve a couple of great opportunities, although difficult games, before the international break to get maximum points.”
O’Hara agreed that — despite their position at the bottom of the table — a triumph over Hearts is a statement win.
“Definitely,” he added. “When you look at the quality Hearts have got in their team, there is obviously an added pressure for them but it was never going to be an easy game.
“They came out the traps flying and to get through that wee spell was massive with the goal then coming at a crucial time for us. It gave us a real foothold. To nullify their quality, we will take confidence from that going into the next few games.”
Saints keeper Ellery Balcombe told pre-match how O’Hara was making sure he and the club’s other new signings were settling into life in Paisley. The skipper played down his role but recognises that if things are right off the pitch, the benefits will be felt on it.
O’Hara continued: “We do a lot of things outside of football and I think that is why we have been so successful. When it’s in the late stages of games, everybody’s together, and that will increase our chances of three points.”
Meanwhile, Saints assistant manager Diarmuid O’Carroll — who missed Saturday’s victory over the Jambos — looks set to take up a coaching role at Newcastle United.
The Northern Echo reported yesterday that O’Carroll is on track to take charge of Toon’s Under-21s following the departure of Ben Dawson at the end of last season. A compensation package is believed to have been agreed which will see the 37-year-old move to the north-east of England.
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