Michael Doyle is stunned to be swapping a Championship relegation battle for a challenge for Europe.
The 24-year-old defender was ready to sign for Cork City when he got a call saying Perth manager Tommy Wright needed cover after losing skipper Dave Mackay for the rest of the season.
One-time Celtic and Kilmarnock youth Doyle, who parted company with Alloa before deadline day in search of full-time football, jumped on a plane back to Scotland and penned a deal to the end of the season.
Doyle said: “It has a been a whirlwind over the past 48 hours.
“It’s a step up and it will be strange swapping a survival battle with Alloa in the Championship. Now I am at club looking to secure top six in the Premiership and maybe even qualify for Europe.
“The move came as a complete surprise. I enjoyed my time at Alloa and we came up through the divisions but I was training with Cork this week. But when I heard St Johnstone were interested I got on the first flight back.
“It has been a bit crazy but I am fit and raring to go.
“It is unfortunate that I am getting my chance because of the injury to Dave Mackay. But now it’s up to me to seize the opportunity.”
