It still hasn’t sunk in that Kieran Tierney is back playing for Celtic.
Tierney made his second Celtic debut as the Bhoys lost 3-2 to Estrela da Amadora in their third pre-season game of the season.
The left-back played the first half of the game as he got back up to speed with his new teammates.
Celtic fans have already been wowed by Tierney in training and Auston Trusty has also sung the homegrown talent’s praises.
Bringing him back to Celtic Park always felt like a real possibility, but in the latter stages of his career, and in order to make the move happen, he performed a selfless act.
Kieran Tierney snubbed huge pay day to return to Celtic
Brendan Rodgers was impressed with the 27-year-old’s first 45 minutes back in a Hoops shirt and knows that there will be more to come once he’s back up to speed.
Rodgers said it was like Tierney had “never been away” and that he looks forward to seeing him play more.
It’s common knowledge that Tierney turned down several European giants to come back to Glasgow and the Celtic manager hinted that he could’ve had a huge pay day elsewhere.
He told Celtic TV: “Make no doubt about it, Kieran has sacrificed to come back here in a financial way because he really wanted to come back.
“I think it tells you everything about what he missed and that feeling that he missed when he left.
“I know the clubs involved because I was part of the process in bringing him back so I know where he could have gone.
“But this always felt the right place for him when we spoke months ago. I’m really happy for him.”
Brendan Rodgers hints at bringing in another left-back
After Greg Taylor departed for PAOK, some supporters have been left concerned by the lack of depth the full-back slot.
Hayato Inamura impressed fans as a makeshift left-back but it doesn’t seem like that will be the long-term fix.
Rodgers has stated that he wants a left-back and a striker to complement his squad.
Shin Yamada is expected to join as a striker and then the left-back options are still being explored elsewhere for now.
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