Jamie McCart was desperate to thrash out a permanent move to St Johnstone after signing his pre-contract agreement.
The former Caley Thistle defender was out of contract at the end of the season with the Championship outfit and decided last week his future lay elsewhere.
A permanent move was completed on Tuesday this week and McCart made his debut as a half-time substitute for St Johnstone against his first club Celtic on Wednesday night.
McCart said: “As soon as I signed a pre-contract, I think the two clubs were talking about a possible transfer. So I was sitting by my phone for a text or a phone call. It’s a step up to the Premiership and I’m dying to have a go at it.
“I’m a composed centre-half; I think I read the game well and pass the ball well. But first and foremost I like defending.
“Those two (Liam Gordon and Jason Kerr) have been excellent, particularly since Liam came back. I’ve just got to train well, impress the gaffer, get more minutes on the pitch and show I’m capable of being here.”
The Saints found themselves 3-0 down at half-time at McDiarmid Park against the league champions, a scoreline they managed to maintain in the second half.
McCart added: “I was just delighted to get on. It’s probably the best way to do it, throw yourself in, but it’s not ideal being down 3-0.
“It (the second half) was much better. The first half, the gaffer said the boys weren’t themselves. I think we showed a lot of character being 3-0 down. It’s tough to come back out and limit their chances.
“That’s why they’re the best team in a league by a mile. But it’s something we can learn from.”