EIGHT years since he kicked a dramatic golden-point drop goal to save Salford’s Super League status, Gareth O’Brien is preparing to play a pivotal role in Leigh Leopards' quest for a win that would rank even higher in the sport’s list of recent improbable moments.

Nine clubs and 12 years into a career that kicked off at his hometown club Warrington Wolves in 2011, O’Brien is still fondly remembered for his astonishing long-range kick that capped a stunning comeback and consigned Hull KR to relegation in the Million Pound Game.

“I still get messages from Salford fans about that game, and it’s nice to be remembered for such an important part of a club’s history,” said O’Brien, a try scorer as Leigh eliminated Salford from the play-offs last weekend.

“I’ve had a great career with some great memories, and I’m looking forward to another of those occasions on Saturday.”

Now O’Brien is charged with conjuring more magic and helping Leigh land a first win at Wigan since 1983 in Saturday’s play-off semi-final, a game for which Adrian Lam’s men, shorn of star winger Josh Charnley and back-rower Frankie Halton due to injury, start as significant underdogs.

But Leigh’s habit of beating the odds since O’Brien arrived for their return to the top-flight last season, culminating in a famous Challenge Cup win over Hull KR at Wembley, then a stirring run of 10 wins from 12 to confirm a play-off place, has left the Leopards feeling nothing is impossible.

“We were written off at the start of the year by most of the pundits, and we really had to dig deep to reach the top six,” added O’Brien. “So much has changed since I first arrived here and we were expected to struggle. We’ve now become a club that wants to be fighting at the top of the table.

“Of course we will be underdogs and, after the season they’ve had, all the pressure will be on Wigan. It would be a hell of a story if we were able to beat them in such a big game after such a long time, and we know that if we play like we know we can, we can beat anyone on a given day.”