New St Johnstone signing Michael O’Halloran believes he can strike up a formidable partnership with Stevie May.
The 22-year-old former Scottish under-21 international has signed an 18-month deal with the Perth club and goes straight into the squad for today’s clash with Ross County.
He’s likely to be on the bench in Dingwall, but when the chance comes to link up with top scorer May, the capture from Bolton Wanderers is confident the pair of them will click.
“Stevie’s on fire at the moment,” O’Halloran said. “I watched the Dundee United match at McDiarmid Park, and he was really impressive that day and got a great hat-trick.
“The strengths of my game are running at defenders and bringing others into play, so I’m sure we can work well together.
“I’m looking forward to getting the chance to play with a striker of Stevie’s quality.
“From what I’ve seen in training, and watching the boys play, the team as a whole should suit my style of play well.“
One-time Celtic youth O’Halloran, who had loans spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Carlisle United and Tranmere Rovers, had a three-and-a-half-year contract in place at the Reebok through to 2015.
But he agreed a deal to cut that short and is thrilled to get the chance to show his worth in his home country.
He said: “I’ve been down south since the age of 16 and I’m really excited to get the chance to play in the Premiership for the first time.
“If the manager wants me to play a part in the game tomorrow, I’ll be ready.
“I haven’t played many matches recently but my fitness levels are good and it will just be a case of improving my match sharpness. You only get that with games.
“Tommy was interested in bringing me up on loan in the summer but that fell through.
“I’m just delighted that all the paperwork has been completed now and I’m signing on a permanent deal.
“I’m a Scottish boy so I know all about St Johnstone and what a good club it is. And being in and around the place, and training with the boys, has confirmed that.”
Perth boss Tommy Wright sees a hunger in O’Halloran that he is hoping to tap into.
He pointed out: “Like so many of our players he comes here with a point to prove and at a crucial stage in the development of his career.
“We have been tracking Michael for a while now and we are delighted to get him.
“Michael was very keen to come here and he will get his chance to show what he can do. I am sure he will prove a real asset and add depth to our squad going forward.
“He is six foot plus and Michael can play across the front line and not just through the middle.”