“I know it has been frustrating, not only for me, but the fans as well to see that I haven’t scored as much as they had hoped,” says Theo Bair.
The Canadian forward will be one of the first to admit that his St Johnstone journey has not taken the track he envisaged when signing in January of last year.
Lack of minutes, lack of goals and being away from those closest to him has at times made the transition to life in Perth challenging.
But as the 23-year-old peered across the McDiarmid Park playing surface after Saturday’s crucial win against Dundee United, his determination to make a success of himself in Scotland was clear.
He had entered the action in the 67th minute of the match and, no, you don’t need to remind him that he should have scored from the edge of the box with time running short.
“I want that one back,” he quickly admitted.
“I haven’t played in a while so it was good to get onto the pitch. But I should’ve put one away on Saturday. Getting some minutes will hopefully transition into more in the next couple of games.
“Although I didn’t score on Saturday, I managed to get into decent areas. Hopefully I can convert those next time.
“My team-mates trust me and they have been very positive in trying to push me to performing the way I need to.
“I definitely think I can bring more than what I brought on Saturday. I’m really happy that the team won and that we are moving in a positive direction.”
Bair, previously of Vancouver Whitecaps, is contracted to the Perth club until the summer of 2024 and continues to harbour big ambitions in the game.
To date, he has been handed six league starts and has one goal to his name. A screamer against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park last year.
Of course, his plan had been to make an immediate impact, pick up some momentum and become a regular starter under Callum Davidson.
“I have travelled my whole life,” explains Ottawa-born Bair, who signed from Vancouver Whitecaps and has spent time at Norwegian side HamKam.
“But travelling 4000-something miles from home, this one was a little bit isolating. It was definitely difficult to transition to Perth. It is very different to places I’ve been previously.
“I was in Hamar when in Norway. I had an American guy with me there at the time. That was familiar, he lived with me and we were going into everything together.
“The first three months over here I was living in a hotel. A lot of people think living in a hotel is all fun and games, but it isn’t when you’re in there for three months.
“I ended up moving into a place with Tom Sang, which was good. He helped me out with getting accustomed to everything. It was good to have someone with me all of the time.
"The boys have been great with me, they have pushed me and welcomed me with open arms. The people of Perth have been nothing but excellent. They are so kind and welcoming. Everyone says ‘hi’ when I walk down the street. It is a very nice place.”
Being thousands of miles away from family has not been ideal but Bair, with a smile, revealed he rarely misses a social occasion - albeit via his phone.
“I basically live on FaceTime,” he laughed. “I am constantly speaking to my family.
“There are always family events going on and I like to be on FaceTime while they are having get-togethers just so I can be part of it still.
“Being far from home has been part of my life since I was 14, but it has definitely been difficult not playing as much as I want to and not having the family support I usually would.
“My dad has really been part of my journey, every single step of the way. My family supports me in what I’ve been doing.
“They came over once but, unfortunately, it was one of the only times when I wasn’t getting onto the pitch which was pretty sad. My girlfriend comes over pretty often.
“I guess a bit of the tough part is that my family is so far away. I have my team-mates but you want to have your family and the people you have known your whole life around. So that part has been tough for me.”
Even through the difficult times, Bair insists he has never sulked and has kept putting in the hours of work to turn his latest chapter in Perth into a successful read.
As well as determined, he is thankful. He realises not everybody has the opportunity to be a professional footballer and that fuels the fire to succeed.
“I definitely had some spells of difficulty and frustration,” he explains.
“But I have never sulked and I’m not the type to do so. I work hard, show up every day and train.
“Whenever the coach picks me, hopefully I’ll be ready to go. I do everything I can and try to keep a smile on my face through it all because it’s a privilege to play professional football.
“It was a dream as a little kid and I get to do it every day. I’m very blessed and happy I get to do that, especially here.
“I remember I didn’t make my provincial team when I was younger. Now I have played for my national team and in the Scottish Premiership, which is a big thing for me and my family.”
The importance of aiming high and not losing sight of the end game - even when times are tough - is important to Bair. Coupled with succeeding in Perth, he holds aspirations of returning to the Canadian national team.
“I want to play and I want to score goals,” Bair said. “I know it has been frustrating, not only for me, but the fans as well to see that I haven’t scored as much as they had hoped.
“But I think if I am given more chances, I definitely can do it. I want to play football, that is all I can say really. I want to get into my national team again and, with opportunities in this league, I know I can definitely do it.
“Although it has been a tougher time, I will always want to strive for the best. I have ambitions for the 2026 World Cup and I know, if I stay focused and work hard, I can get there.”
With words of wisdom from Saints legend Nick Dasovic still ringing in his ear from the other week, Bair hopes to impress interim manager Steven MacLean and get his run-in chance.
“The boys were buzzing after Saturday but we also know that we need to keep going,” he said.
“The team has been training very, very well in the past couple of weeks and we want to keep the standard high and demand a lot from each other.
“Macca is very vocal with everyone and speaks freely and honestly. Everyone knows their role and what they need to do. That has been good.
“He has been telling me to keep working hard and keep training well then you get the chances that you deserve.
“The boys are hungry, I know that. If we continue the way we are, keep training well and demand standards from each other, we can get positive results.”
Bair concluded: “I look forward to playing more minutes and hopefully converting some of the chances.
“I’m contracted here so I’m going to do everything I can for the team and bring something every time I come onto the pitch or start games.
“I’m excited for the future. I think I have a long journey to go. I want to enjoy it.”
