Mark O'Hara looking forward to seeing what Richard King can do at St Mirren
Mark O'Hara has taken Richard King under his wing — and says he is looking forward to seeing what the Jamaican international can bring to St Mirren.
The Buddies skipper has made it his mission to ensure the 23-year-old is settling in well in Paisley.
And after a stellar display in the 8-2 Premier Sports Cup win over Annan Athletic, it looks like O'Hara's warm welcome has allowed King to get off to a positive start.
King, who arrived from Jamaican Premier League side Caverlier this summer on a two-year deal, has barely had time to take a break from football having played for the Reggae Boyz at the Concacaf Gold Cup in the United States.
To help him get a feel for life in Scotland, O'Hara has made sure he feels part of the Saints family as well as showing the defender around on days off.
He said: 'With Richard, outside of football, we need to show him about and stuff like that. You can take things like that for granted but he's come to completely new territory here.
'As a team, we like to go out for dinners. I've been out to show him around Glasgow because he's never done that before. We've got a really experienced group and there are a number of guys in there.
'They are made to feel a part of it right when they come in. The differences are funny sometimes and people need to appreciate for guys that it's a real culture shock coming here.'
It is a big week for Stephen Robinson's men as progression in the Premier Sports Cup hinges on this Sunday's game against Scott Brown's Ayr United when they arrive at the SMiSA Stadium.
Should the Honest Men beat Forfar Athletic tonight — and maintain their 100 per cent Group D record – it will leave Saints needing a win to be in with an opportunity of reaching the knockout stage.
Confidence will be high, though, following the demolition of League Two part-timers Annan which featured a hat-trick from Mikael Mandron and a penalty strike by King on his home debut.
O'Hara added: 'I'm looking forward to seeing him [King]. We haven't seen much because he's only just finished playing a long season.
'He looks really good on the ball and I'm sure he's going to be exciting for the fans. It's great that we can attract a player like that, a Jamaican international, here.
'They can be made to feel welcome and bed in seamlessly with a lot experience round about them and made to feel welcome — and it's not just me — others help players bed in, too.'
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