STRIKER Stephane Bahoken has revealed how his good friend Esmael Goncalves sold him on a switch to St Mirren.

The Frenchman arrived from Nice on a season-long loan after consulting with Goncalves about life in Scotland.

The Portuguese was a huge success last year after arriving in January on loan from Rio Ave, scoring in both the semi-final and final of the League Cup as the Buddies won their first major honour for 26 years.

Bahoken has set himself a target of scoring at least 10 goals this season and revealed with a smile that he is determined to become more of a cult hero with the Buddies fans than Goncalves was.

He said: "Isma is my friend and we used to live together in Nice. He told me a lot of great things about this club, about the city, and about Scottish football.

"So he gave me a recommendation that I should come to Scotland and play for St Mirren.

"I know he was a hero here last year because he scored so many important goals. He told me the fans all loved him.

"But I want to do better than him and score more. I want to get at least 10 goals and if I get there then I will look to get 15 goals or maybe more. That is my target."

Bahoken endured a difficult debut, coming off at half-time in Saints' 2-1 defeat to Partick Thistle after missing a number of chances.

But the 21-year-old had only arrived from France the previous day and admitted that did not give him time to get to know his new team-mates.

After a fortnight of training and bedding in, however, he has vowed the Saints fans will see a different player against Motherwell on Saturday.

He added: "The first game was not the best from me as I was still trying to adapt to a new situation.

"I only came to Scotland one day before so it was not a long time to prepare. I gave it my best but I didn't play very well.

"It wasn't 100% from me. The Scottish Premiership is a lot different to what I am used to in France.

"It is more physical and there was a lot more running. In France we keep the ball more and then try to make an opportunity to score.

"But now I feel more comfortable and know my team-mates much better."

Bahoken also revealed he has taken advice from Steven Thompson.

He said: "I am a fast runner, I try to keep the ball, I try to be clever and I like to score.

"I have learned a lot from Thommo as he talks to me a lot. He has a lot of experience which makes it easier for me to play alongside him as I can tell what he is going to do."