Nothing stings quite as much as being made to feel that you’re not good enough.
That kind of negativity is pushing Tony Watt to prove his doubters wrong by firing St Mirren to new heights this season.
Former Celtic and Motherwell striker Watt arrived in Paisley on January transfer deadline day looking for a club that appreciated his skillset and ability.
After a prolific spell at Fir Park, the 29-year-old initially hit the ground running for Dundee United before finding himself frozen out of then boss Liam Fox’s struggling side.
While never losing faith in his own talent, Watt admitted it was tough to take to go from being something of a marquee signing at Tannadice to finding himself twiddling his thumbs on the bench.
After bagging his first goal for the Buddies in last weekend’s comfortable 3-0 victory against Livingston, Watt is determined to keep enjoying his football again in Paisley as Stephen Robinson’s men hunt down an historic top-six finish.
Speaking candidly to Renfrewshire Live Sport, Watt said: “I just want to be happy and I wasn’t happy there under the last regime.
“The management didn’t want me there but when I left nothing really changed. Obviously it proved I wasn’t the reason why they weren’t doing as well.
“There’s a good group of players there, but for me it’s about being happy and being appreciated and that’s what I need.
“I scored against St Johnstone then sat on the bench every other game. I’d scored three in four games and ended up on the bench for some reason.
“I was sent off against Motherwell, it got rescinded and it was still used as an excuse for killing the team. It’s not my fault they got it wrong.
“Look, some people have opinions in football and that’s fine. I don’t hold that against anyone. But my point is I don’t want to go somewhere I’m not appreciated and I’m appreciated here.
“I don’t hold anything bad against anybody, it’s a brilliant club. I was signed by Tony Asghar and he’s not there anymore. But he and Tam Courts put their belief in me.
“They did back me and I think it was just a case of I wasn’t Liam Fox’s cup of tea in style. I don’t hold that against anybody.
“I was made out to be the one who wasn’t performing. I was made out to be not good enough. But I think I can show I am good enough.
“It was good to get off the mark against Livingston and contribute. The team has done well and I want to try and add to that.
“The way I play it isn’t all about goals, but it’s good to get yourself on the scoresheet and hopefully try to add that and push my way towards double figures.
“It’s a great setup here, a great group of players and a great group of lads.
“I expected good things coming here and it’s been a breath of fresh air. I can’t complain one wee bit.”
Being reunited with former boss Robinson was a key factor in Watt deciding to make the switch to the SMiSA Stadium back in January.
And Watt revealed he still loves the way the no-nonsense St Mirren gaffer puts the pressure on him to perform, believing it’s the perfect way to get the best out of him.
Watt said: “The manager has had me running around till I’m red in the face!
“He knows what buttons to push and I think when I’m under his guidance I’m successful. Hopefully that can continue.
“I love it. We have some disagreements and some shouting matches at each other, but he always wins them in terms of the message he puts across.
“If I don’t do it then I don’t play, that’s it. End of.”
Watt will be hoping to make his mark again today against one of his former clubs Hearts, with the capital club under pressure from sections of their support after a significant drop in form.
The striker is surprised to see Robbie Neilson getting so much flak with the Jambos still sitting pretty in third, despite losing four games on the spin.
Nonetheless he hopes the Saints can turn the whole Tynecastle crowd against their own men as they go searching for precious points in their own top-six bid.
Watt added: “Robbie gave me a chance back then. He’s a good coach and manager and he’s doing well.
“I know people are complaining, but they’re third and they’ve had a European run which has brought the club a fortune.
“But I know how football is and how it works. I’m not surprised, but yet it’s surprising it’s fallen on his door. He deserves a bit more credit than that, definitely.
“They’re an expectant club but they’re third. Nobody is going to split the Old Firm. If you come third you win your own league, and I think that’s good enough for them.
“If you’re 3-0 down wherever you are, the fans are going to boo you and turn. But we can’t go there and just expect the crowd to turn. We need to go and take the game to them and see how it goes.”
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