Returning defender Richard Foster insists he never wanted to leave Ross County first time around.
Foster yesterday completed a return to Dingwall on a deal until the end of the season after ending a three-year stint with St Johnstone, where he moved after departing the Staggies.
The 34-year-old enjoyed successful 12-month stint at Victoria Park, playing in County’s League Cup final victory over Hibernian and helping the Staggies clinch a top-six place.
After falling out of favour with then manager Jim McIntyre ahead of the 2016-17 campaign, Foster was quickly transferred to Saints.
With his McDiarmid Park stay cut short following after falling out with Saints boss Tommy Wright in a training ground incident, Foster is pleased to have a second chance with the Staggies.
The Elgin-born player knows his first stint with County has set a high benchmark, and he said: “I realise that getting the level of success we had when I was first here is going to be very difficult.
“But at the same time, I do feel my time here was cut short quite abruptly. I never wanted to leave when I did.
“Different things happened and it forced me down that path. I went to St Johnstone and enjoyed my time there.
“In football, things change quickly, as we see here – I was training on Tuesday at St Johnstone and two days later I’m training at Ross County.
“I’m old enough now to know how to get on with it and hopefully get myself right for Saturday.”
Foster was reluctant to discuss the details of his Saints exit but he feels Staggies co-managers Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell can get the best out of his strong-willed character.
He added: “I’m not going to talk about what went on. There have been different things documented in the press.
“I’m strong-willed, I speak my mind, and probably sometimes I overstep the mark.
“If I believe in something and things happen differently then I find it very difficult to swallow that.
“There’s times in my career when it has certainly held me back, but the managers here have expressed that they like that part of my character.”
Foster goes straight into County’s squad to face his old club Aberdeen at Pittodrie tomorrow, with the former Rangers player expecting a tasty reception from the Dons fans.
He added: “It’s straight back into the lion’s den. It is always a place where I’m welcomed with open arms.
“I get a bit of abuse from the Aberdeen fans, but it is to be expected. I played there seven and a half years ago and some people just don’t forget.
“I’ve been back to Pittodrie and won a couple of times with St Johnstone and I like to think if they are giving me stick for 90 minutes, I should be able to revel in success.
“Similarly, in games where they are winning it is tough. You just need to take it – they’re going to laugh at you and joke.
“Most of the banter I get from the fans is friendly enough. Some step over the line, but you get that wherever you go.”
