Craig Beattie says St Johnstone boss Steve Lomas’ powers of persuasion convinced him to sign up with Saints.
The former Scotland star admitted he isn’t at the peak of fitness at the moment but he is ready and willing to be pitched straight into battle against Aberdeen on Saturday to plug the gap left by suspended strikers Rowan Vine and Gregory Tade.
Beattie, who formerly played for Celtic, West Brom, Swansea and last season for Hearts, signed a year-long deal with Saints after watching Saturday’s draw against Motherwell alongside chairman Steve Brown and the rest of the St Johnstone directors.
His signing is a major coup for the club, especially as Hearts wanted the player back and he had recently been training with Rangers.
Beattie who did not want to discuss what had happened with him and the Glasgow side insisted he is now just fully focused on doing well for St Johnstone.
He said: ”I’m keen to get training with the lads and get going here. I spoke to the manager and really liked what he had to say about the club. He played a massive part in my decision. I know some of the lads and there is a very good squad here.
”He showed interest in me before I went to Hearts last season. At the time, I thought that was the right decision for me.
”It’s not been a difficult few months for me but maybe it has been for my family, not knowing what was going to happen.
”I had options but I’ve been quite calm about it and I’m delighted to be here. The club made the top six last season and I think the boys can do that again.”
Beattie’s new boss could not hide his delight at persuading the striker to come to Perth.
He said: ”With Greg and Viney suspended we have a bit of a dilemma. That’s a nightmare. We don’t want to rush Beatts and push him too hard, too soon.
“Ideally, we’d have given him a mini pre-season and used him off the bench before he got a game or two. But now he has to come into the equation for a start against Aberdeen.
“It’s not ideal but we may have to put him straight in.”
Photo by Chris Clark/PA Wire