Tierney emotional after Celtic Park return in 4–0 win over Newcastle | OneFootball

Kieran Tierney said he was “quite emotional” after receiving a massive cheer on his return to Celtic Park, six years after he signed for Arsenal.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

The Scotland international was reintroduced to the crowd during Celtic’s 4–0 pre-season win over Newcastle United, coming on 10 minutes into the second half for summer signing Hayato Inamura, moments before Brendan Rodgers made 10 further changes.

Speaking to Celtic TV, Tierney said: “Amazing. I didn’t know what to expect but that was just brilliant. What a feeling. I was quite emotional actually, running on to the park like that, but amazing. It was a great day for me.”

Tierney’s impact was almost immediate. After linking up with Reo Hatate, the 28-year-old delivered a precise cross for Liam Scales to head home Celtic’s fourth goal. “They’re a great team so it just shows the quality that we have got. When we play like that we can give anyone a game. Some of the goals we scored were brilliant,” Tierney said.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Brendan Rodgers was full of praise: “I wanted him to get a specific welcome back. Just to get him back here at his age where he could easily be playing at the top end of the Premier League, to get a player of that level and that desire to play for Celtic is amazing for us.

“So, it was a great moment and another connection with him and the support.

“And then you see when he’s on there, he’s playing against young Anthony Elanga, who’s a brilliant signing for Newcastle.

“But Kieran’s got pace and power. And then you see how he created the goal with just that explosive speed and the quality.

“So, for us, it’s great to have him here and he’s still finding his fitness. But it was a great moment for him.”