Billy O’Brien says that avoiding the drop would be one of the greatest achievements in most of the players’ careers.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper, who is currently on loan from Manchester City, staying in the Ladbrokes Championship could be a highlight of the players’ entire careers because of what they have done to get from where they were in January to now having the chance to avoid the drop.
People wouldn’t think it but doing this would probably be one of the greatest achievements in most of our careers," he told stmirren.com "We’re not winning something but because of where we were and where we can get to.
"If we win this game we’re guaranteed not to finish bottom, if that was offered to us three or four months ago we’d have snatched your hand off.
"By the end of January we’d been written off by so many people. It’s a huge incentive and it’s our aim to stay up whether it’s via the play-offs or not, as long as we get the job done we’re not bothered. To secure not finishing bottom is a step forward.”
"We know what we need to do to get the job done," O'Brien continued. "No matter what goes against us elsewhere we can still get it done, so it’s important that it’s in our hands. We’ve been on a really good run for three or four months now and we’re getting better step by step.”
On a personal level, joining St Mirren during this tough period has been very beneficial for O’Brien’s development; however he admitted that it has been a worrying time.
It’s what I needed," he said. "I don’t think I would have got that anywhere else in the world, it’s been a frightening period. Every single game for four months now has been must win but I’m enjoying every minute.”
The goalkeeper also commented on the importance of the fans and knows they will be out in force tomorrow to back the team.
The fans have been massive, I’ve no doubt about them. Since day one for me they’ve been unbelievable in every aspect, home and away. They can see that we’re fighting on the pitch and that’s all we can do.
"We’re just a set of lads that are working hard together doing the best we can and whatever happens, happens. We appreciate their support because it’s been outstanding.”
