Versatile Irishman Tom O’Connor is loving the real deal of the Football League.

The 20-year-old Southampton loanee is experiencing his first season playing for points that matter.

He’s just extended his loan spell with Gillingham until the end of the season and it didn’t take a lot of persuading to make it happen.

“It wasn’t a tough decision,” said the youngster, who had previously won promotion as captain of Saints’ under-23s to Premier League 2 Division One.

“I had to check with Southampton that they were happy with me staying and they were. Gillingham were happy to keep me, I’m playing games, which is what I need and we are doing well, so it was a no-brainer.

“I am enjoying the experience of playing in games and seeing what it’s like to play in the leagues in professional football with the challenge of going out and fighting for the three points every week.

“Nothing else really matters other than the games at the weekend and getting the results. Even if you don’t play the best and get a result, that’s all that matters. Points are everything.”

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• Fleet land former Gillingham winger
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Another three points would go a long way for the Gills on Saturday as they start the weekend on the verge of the League 1 play-offs.

“If we can manage to get the win it would lift us right into it,” O’Connor said.

“It will be a tough game. They have a few good forwards, they beat us earlier this season, Ivan Toney is good and (Marcus) Maddison is well known in League 1.

“They have a good bit of quality and that is why they are sixth but we won’t fear them.

“In recent weeks you can see that we are gelling together and are definitely hard to beat. It is hard to score against us.

“Since the start of the season you can see the progression and how the manager wants us to play. It’s working and we’re getting points.”

Gillingham are six unbeaten in the league ahead of this weekend’s match, heading into it off the back of a defeat to West Ham in the FA Cup.

O’Connor was a part of it, saying: “The game on Sunday was a good experience and a big game to play in. Even walking out there the stadium was packed and it was nice to see, the fans created a good atmosphere.

“We were decent throughout the first half, we kept them under pressure and they couldn’t really play much.

“They have players worth millions but they couldn’t really get hold of the game and create. We had most of the territory but we just didn’t get that goal and we sat off second half and their quality shone through.”