O’Ware: ‘Kick’ in the teeth didn’t detract from goal

Thomas O’Ware suffered a ‘kick’ in the teeth during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Falkirk but insists it couldn’t detract from taking his season’s tally into double figures.

Although it was from a stray elbow rather than a boot, defender O’Ware was quite literally left in dental distress following a second-half clash with Bairns striker Lee Miller.

The 23-year-old required reconstructive work on three of his molars yesterday afternoon after struggling to eat and drink over the course of the weekend.

However, the incident occurred after he had headed his side in front in the Ladbrokes Championship encounter to score his 10th goal of the campaign, and he said even the cracked teeth couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

O’Ware, who played in midfield on Saturday, told gmfc.net: “I got three of my back teeth cracked, halved, and went to the dentist to get them filled back up but I’m fine.

“He [Miller] has caught me with his elbow and I felt as if I had sand in my mouth but it was my teeth. Over the weekend it was agony and that’s me just back from the dentist getting them filled back up, but it’s easing off.

“He’s a physical player. I think there should have been more action taken than there was, but I’m not going to hold it against him; I’m a big boy. Every game I go out, and with the player the gaffer expects me to be, then I expect to get or knock or two.

“If that’s what happens, that’s what happens. It didn’t detract from the day, no. That 10th goal has taken a wee while to come, so hopefully now that it’s here, I can get a few more before the end of the season.

“Am I aiming to be top scorer? It’s not something I’m ruling out, but I think he [Ross Forbes, who has 11] has an advantage as a midfielder. I can’t see me getting more than him between now and the end of the season – but you never know!”

O’Ware got on the end of another Forbes delivery to break the deadlock and puts his set-piece expertise down to learning how to better harness his aerial prowess as he gains in experience.

He added: “Attacking the ball has always been something I’ve been good at, one of my stronger points, and the corners and free-kicks are just something that comes off.

“Folk are picking me up a bit more closely now so from my point of view, so it’s about trying to get away from them and come up with different ideas to do that.”

Images: David Bell