It’s the welcome back Kieran Tierney deserved.
On Saturday, Celtic thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 in a pre-season friendly to step up their progress and preparations for the new Premiership season.
Before this game, Brendan Rodgers’ side had played four pre-season matches, all away from Glasgow, including in Cork and Portugal.
But this was the first time the Celtic Park faithful could see their players in action ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, and a lot of the talk was about Tierney.
How Arsenal fans reacted to Kieran Tierney’s return game at Celtic Park against Newcastle United
Six years on from Tierney leaving Celtic and joining Arsenal for a club-record transfer sale of £25 million, he played in front of his home crowd again.
To nobody’s surprise, Tierney received an outstanding welcome when he was introduced from the bench, and for good measure, he provided a sublime assist.
This was recognised by the Arsenal supporters on social media, who throughout have shown their class towards the 28-year-old, and they loved the fact that he created such a moment for himself.
Tierney assisted Celtic’s fourth goal of the afternoon when he put the ball on a plate for Liam Scales to head home.
@rich_ccr noted Tierney’s crosses: ‘I’m going to miss Tierney’s crosses. They were always on point.’
@FutbolBanter90 thinks Tierney is playing in the wrong era: ‘A relic of the days when full backs got down the byeline and fired in crosses. Unfortunate to be playing in an era of inverted fullbacks.’
@AFC__Frank3 showed his love: ‘So happy for him, man. Nothing but love for him ❤️.’
@gundu_adi used three words: ‘What a player ❤️❤️.’
@GUNNER_REV22 just needed two words: ‘Vintage KT.’
@AJAHI32 thinks Tierney will move again: ‘Giving him one season there before he moves to a top 5 league club.’
Tierney knows how to cross a ball, as @alex_danelon added: ‘Has one of the best crosses in the world.’
Old school vibes to the Scotsman, as @BS87777 stated: ‘Proper old school left back.’
@kavuma_pau13917 thinks Arsenal didn’t get the best out of Tierney: ‘His crosses were cash money. Can’t believe we didn’t fully utilise him, especially with Arteta.’
An Arsenal fan account with nearly 500k followers showing their love for Tierney, as @now_arsenaI added: ‘Kieran Tierney produced an incredible assist on his first game back in Celtic colours this afternoon. He helped his boyhood club thrash Newcastle United 4-0 in a pre-season friendly.’
@PatrickTimmons1 also loved what he saw: ‘An assist and a 4-0 win against Newcastle on Kieran Tierney’s return to Celtic. Things you love to see.’
What Tierney said after the match
As everybody can imagine, this would have been an emotional day for Tierney, and he handled it very well and appreciates the love he is getting.
Of course, when Celtic host St Mirren on the opening weekend of the Premiership campaign, he will get another loud cheer because that will be his official comeback.
“Amazing,” Tierney told Celtic TV about the welcome from the fans. “I didn’t know what to expect. But that was just brilliant.
“What a feeling. I was quite emotional, actually running onto the park like that, but amazing. A great day for me.”
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