Kieran Tierney: It will be a special feeling to be back out at Paradise

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Celtic F.C.

·18 de julho de 2025

Kieran Tierney: It will be a special feeling to be back out at Paradise

The last few weeks have been all about getting down to work for Kieran Tierney as pre-season preparations continue for Brendan Rodgers’ squad.

As a boyhood fan, the feeling of being back at Celtic was always bound to be a special one for the left-back.

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However, it might start feeling all the more real this weekend, with the Hoops having their first outing at Paradise since the defender made his return to Glasgow.

Speaking to the media for the first time since being back in green and white, Tierney reflected on his early feelings of his return as he continues to settle back into life at Celtic.

He said: “It’s been great to be back! I’ve only been in Scotland for a few days with the pre-season and stuff.

‘But I feel part of the squad already and that I am settling in well.’

“There is some stuff that just feels the exact same. It almost feels like I have never been away, but even when you go up to Lennoxtown, the training ground has come on massively and it’s a great place to be.

"It is still a lot of the same people., although there are a lot of new players for me to get used to as well.

“The personal and collective targets for me are just the same, it’s just to keep Celtic as successful as possible.

“We want to maintain our place at the top. That is the objective.”

This Saturday afternoon will mark the Bhoys’ first outing at Paradise of the 2025/26 campaign, with a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United.

The Hoops welcome the English Premier League side to the East End of Glasgow, and it could also be the first time Tierney is back on the Paradise turf in action.

Ahead of that return, the 28-year-old insisted it will be a special day for himself and his family. Although there might be some initial nerves, it will have a homecoming feel for the defender, six years on from his last appearance at Celtic Park.

Having spent a number of years south of the border, Tierney also assessed what sort of challenge the Hoops will face against Saturday’s opponents, offering up a good test for the Celts.

“It will be amazing to be back here at Celtic Park,” Tierney said. “It will be a special day.

“There will probably be a little bit of nerves as well because it’s the first time I’ve done it in so long.

‘But I spent a huge chunk of my life here, and a big part of my career. I will be absolutely buzzing for it.’

“You always miss it. It’s a club that, and I won’t be the only one who says it, but when you're away you do miss it.

“You miss the people around the club, the fans, the atmosphere, and just everything about the club.

“But now I'm back here, and I want to enjoy every single moment again and make the most of it.”

“The two leagues are completely different,” he continued. “It’s hard to compare them, but it is a lot of the same challenges you are coming up against.

“You are facing a different set-up every week, different teams with different strengths or play styles. So the challenge in football is always the same in that it is different every week.”