HE’S back more than two years since leaving but Callum Morris insists he doesn’t feel like he’s been away from East End.

Now the popular defender is relishing walking out as a Pars player once more and is determined to make up for lost time by helping them continue their push towards the top of the Championship.

Morris, 26, agreed what he described as a “surreal” return to Dunfermline on Hogmanay following his release from Aberdeen and trained with his team-mates for the first time this week.

Since departing for Dundee United after the Pars missed out on Championship promotion in the summer of 2014, Morris has gone on to feature in a League Cup final and be part of the Northern Ireland squad for a match with world champions Germany in October.

While the manager and much of the previous squad he was part of has changed, Morris told Press Sport: “It’s quite surreal and, when I walked back through the door, it’s like I’ve not been away. There are some new faces but some old ones as well; it’s good to have the likes of Geggsy (Andy Geggan) here who I’ve known since I first started playing in Scotland. It’s good to have people that you share good memories with.

“I’ve been back to watch different games when I’ve had the chance and I’ve still got a lot of friends here. I was here for the Raith Rovers game (0-0 in November) and I thought the lads should’ve come away with a win that day but I’ve been back plenty of times. I like to think I’ve got a good rapport with the fans and people in the town and, although there were other things on the table, this was the perfect fit for me.

“I had a few things in Scotland but this one worked out best for myself. I’m happy to be here and just want to get going.”

Morris, who summed up his first spell as a “crazy but brilliant two years”, revealed that coach John Potter played a major role in his return to the club.

Dunfermline Press:

He continued: “Having Pottsy here is a massive plus because I speak to him almost every week. Once I knew I was free to go at Aberdeen, Pottsy was always on the phone so I knew there was a possibility. It worked out and it was nice to get it done so early; having a gut feeling about it was a massive plus. I’m over the moon to be back.

“When I first signed, things were going well and it was full steam ahead for us really, but who was to know what was around the corner? There’s been a lot of work done behind the scenes; the club is stable financially and on the pitch we’re doing well. Most players would jump at the chance to come here.

“I had a few ups and downs here and at Dundee United. I played week-in, week-out in the SPL, in semi-finals and finals, so I think I’ve come back as a better player. I’m in a really good squad so I’d like to think I can improve further.”

Despite not featuring for Aberdeen during his six months at Pittodrie, Morris was called up by Northern Ireland for the first time in September for a World Cup qualifier with the Czech Republic.

He was then included again for the trip to Germany a month having sufficiently impressed manager Michael O’Neill and he hopes pulling on the black and white again can help him become a key man for the Green and White Army.

He added: “Derek McInnes (Aberdeen manager) was up front and honest. I went to see him a few times and said that I needed to play but on the flip side I got called up. I made the switch a few years ago; when I left Newcastle I was registered with the Republic of Ireland under-21s but then Northern Ireland made an approach and asked if I’d like to switch.

“I was only 20 but clearance to play for their 21s didn’t come through for nine months and things went quiet until I went to United. I was on their radar but when I went to Aberdeen, I was lucky to train and be on the bench against the Czech Republic in Prague and then against Germany. It was immense being on the bench and so close to world-class players but it makes you hungry for more and the manager said I needed to be playing. It will be tough, especially in my position because three or four play in the Premiership, but it’s nice to be around it.”

For now though, Morris hopes to be involved when St Mirren come calling this Saturday and stated: “The manager has a hard decision every week and is probably something he thrives on. Running out there will be like turning a page back and I’m looking forward to running out the tunnel and hearing the old songs again.

“I’m chomping at the bit to get a game and, although I’m not as match fit as I’d want, I’ll get the pace pretty quickly. We’re hot on the heels of Raith and should be looking towards the play-offs; if we put the work in day-to-day, I don’t see why we can’t keep climbing the table.”