Focused Tony Watt insists he only had eyes for St Mirren once he was offered the chance to rekindle his tough love affair with Stephen Robinson.
The striker had options on the table from St Johnstone, Motherwell and Belgians KV Oostende ahead of Tuesday night’s deadline approached. But the 29-year-old opted for the six-month loan move to Paisley after explaining he was smitten with the prospect of reuniting with his former Fir Park boss Robbo. The Buddies are Watt’s sixth Premiership club following spells with Celtic, Hearts, St Johnstone, Well and Dundee United.
But he reckons it was Robinson and his Steelmen successor Graham Alexander who inspired him to the best form of his career during his two-year stay in Lanarkshire. Watt - who goes straight into the Saints squad for Wednesday night's clash at Aberdeen - said: “I want honesty from the gaffer. He used to call me into meetings and shout at me but I like that. I need that tough love from my manager to get the best out of me.
“If there’s no connection with the manager it’s hard if you aren’t playing games but hopefully I can play games here. My two years at Motherwell was the most settled I’ve been in my career. If I work hard for this gaffer then I believe I’ll play.
“He broke all my walls down before. I told him I couldn’t do runs at a certain time or get down to a certain weight and my body fat down. He told me I could, I said I couldn’t but he was right and I was wrong. I don’t say that too often!
“He left an impression on me and that’s why I wanted to come here. I had some good options but I felt it was best for me to join someone that trusts me and knows what I’m about.
“He can get the best out of me and did that at Motherwell. The minute he made his interest known it was my first choice.”
United forked out a six-figure fee to lure Watt to Tannadice 12 months ago but the former Scotland striker was in and out of Liam Fox’s Tangerines line-up.
He added: “If I’m not happy somewhere then I look to move and that’s happened in the past.
“I wasn’t playing a lot of games at Dundee United and that’s why I wasn’t happy, but that’s football.
“At Dundee United there were a few managerial changes. It’s a great club but it was time for me to move on and play.
“I believe St Mirren can get into the top six.
“A few of the boys have done it before in the past with other clubs, so it can be done.”
As well as Watt, Robinson has also tied up a six-month loan for Southampton’s 18-year-old defender Thierry Small.
But there was disappointment for the Northern Irishman as he was forced to wave goodbye to two of the club’s most promising academy graduates, with Ethan Erhahon joining Lincoln in a £300,000 move while kid winger Dylan Reid sealed a dream switch to Crystal Palace.
He said: “It’s not an ideal scenario to lose players on the last day of the window but that’s the model of the club.
“Ethan was out of contract in the summer, he’s been excellent for me, so it’s arguably good business and I think Lincoln have got themselves a great player.
“He’s played well over 100 games for us and has played his best football this season. He’s excelled for us and is an instant loss to the team.
“Dylan Reid was coming through and I’d loved to have developed him more but Palace have paid for his potential.
“Thierry’s an attacking wing back who can play on both sides and has lots of energy and pace.
“We’re thin on options for competition for Scott Tanser. We have plenty of boys who can play on the right.
“Thierry just gives us another option because if Scott got injured or suspended we would be very short.”
