DENNY Johnstone could have been pulling on a Dark Blue jersey in today’s Tayside derby.

But the one-time Celtic and Birmingham centre had set his sights on a move to McDiarmid Park.

St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright tried to get him when the hit man was parting company with the Hoops three years ago.

The lure of England proved too strong at that point.

But the Saints manager kept tabs on Johnstone and moved quickly to snap him up on a season-long loan from Colchester United before the transfer window closed.

Johnstone (22) has had to bide his time for his first start, with second-half runs from the bench in draws against Celtic and Hibs.

But the centre always knew he’d have to be patient.

“I think I am getting closer to a start. I have been trying to make an impression coming off the bench and in training,” said Johnstone.

“Hopefully if I get in the team I will be able to keep my place.

“Before I came here I knew I would have to wait for my chance because the boys have done so well.

“The manager has to be fair to the players who have made such a good start.

“I have to be patient but it’s good coming to a winning club where confidence reverberates around the place.

“I didn’t know at the time the manager had tried to get me when I was at Celtic. He only told me during talks and that was a massive influence on my decision.

“It’s a big factor in coming to a club when you know the manager really wants you.

“I think there could have been some interest in me from Dundee. But I heard about St Johnstone’s interest early on so this was the club I wanted to come to. I had my mind set on coming here.

“I have had a taste of things in England and got to see what it was all about.

“But now I have a bigger step to make playing in the Premiership here.”

Johnstone has settled in quickly and is eager to build on a training ground partnership forged with frontline leader Steven MacLean.

“I have really enjoyed playing with Macca. We have been linking up really well in training.

“The boys have been first class with me. It feels like I have been here a lot longer than just three weeks. I have really settled in quickly. It’s good to be back in Scotland.

“We have had two big games against Celtic and Hibs since I came in and I have been trying to compare the standard to down south.

“It is a different style from in England but the standard has been good and we have had two positive results.

“Confidence is the biggest thing for me. Last year wasn’t entirely productive for me so maybe I lost a bit along the way.

“I did well on loan at Morton where I was given freedom to go and play my own game. I think that was a big thing.”

Johnstone admits Saints are looking to maintain their unbeaten run against a Dens side still looking for their first win and propping up the league.

“I haven’t played at Dens before and being a derby it is a big game for both clubs.

“Looking at the table we are looking to put distance between us and clubs around the bottom early doors.

“We have had a great start and we are looking to push on.

“We look at games as winnable and this is definitely one of them. Getting away from the bottom hasn’t really been discussed.

“The lads don’t think there should be any barriers about how well we can do.

“Looking at the last few years the players go into every game thinking teams will struggle to beat us.

“That is the vibe I have got since coming in here. It was clear from day one before we went and got a draw at Celtic.”

Johnstone could be squaring-up to one-time Celtic youth teammate Jack Hendry (22), who has impressed in central defence after a switch from Wigan.

“I know Jack from our time at Celtic. We were in the same youth team up to U16 before he moved to England,” said Johnstone.

“Like me Jack went down south but he’s back looking to play every week. That’s the most important thing for any player. You want as much football as possible from an early age.

“There’s a lot of players who have left Celtic who have gone on to have very good careers.

“Look across the league and there are teammates from my time there doing well at other clubs. You get a good grounding there at the Academy.

“Darren O’Dea might come back in and he has a lot of experience playing at this level. It will be a good test for us.”