GREG KILTIE admits that he was waiting by the phone for the go-ahead to take his Kilmarnock frustrations out on Dunfermline’s Championship rivals.

The 22-year-old, who has been with the Rugby Park club since the age of 16, moved to East End on a season-long loan deal – which has a recall option in January – late on Monday ahead of the transfer window closing.

He became the third player to agree such an arrangement in four days, following the completion of moves for Hearts pair Harry Cochrane and Anthony McDonald on Friday.

Speaking to Press Sport about the move, Kiltie explained: “I knew that something was in the pipeline but I wasn’t sure what was happening, and then I got a phone call from my agent just saying, ‘Can you make the journey through?’

“I had one other phone call but, to be honest, when I spoke to the manager – and Dunfermline’s a massive club – I was more than happy to come through here, and I was just waiting on the phone call to make the journey to be honest.

“I promised myself last year, when I was at Morton and I was playing, that I didn’t want to stop playing. I didn’t want to go back to playing reserves, and I think that’s what I found myself doing.

“I started playing reserve games instead of first-team games and I couldn’t have that at 22. Not playing’s not really an option for me, so I wanted to come and get first-team football.

“I made that clear to the manager at Kilmarnock, and said that I want to be a starter, and that I’ve not been given a fair opportunity. I think the Kilmarnock fans would probably back me up; I think I’ve done enough to justify that.

“But, it’s not to be, and that’s why I spoke to the manager. I want to come, play and make an impact here.”

He continued: “I’ve been at Kilmarnock a long time, since I was a kid, but at the end of the day, if the opportunity’s not going to be there, then I want to come and improve somewhere else. Lucky enough, Dunfermline had me.

“Personally, I finished off the season last year really well, and I just want to keep playing and help the team.”

Stevie Crawford added: “We’re very lucky to have him on board. Hopefully he’ll bring that wee bit of guile and nous in the final third to help the players we’ve brought in over the summer.”