Fan reaction at Celtic Park for Kieran Tierney's return was 'emotional'

Kieran Tierney admits his Celtic Park welcome left him emotional after he returned to action in Saturday’s friendly win over Newcastle.

Manager Brendan Rodgers handed Celtic fans the chance to acclaim the left-back when he brought him on for fellow summer signing Hayato Inamura ten minutes into the second half, moments before making another ten substitutions.

Although Celtic thrashed the Premier League side 4-0, Tierney’s introduction generated the loudest cheer of the day as fans hailed the 28-year-old’s return six years after leaving for Arsenal.

Describing the moment, Tierney told Celtic TV: “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.”

The Scotland international was quickly into his rhythm and set up the fourth goal when he crossed for Liam Scales to head home after playing a one-two with Reo Hatate.

Tierney added: “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.”

Having had to win over some fans after returning to Celtic himself last summer, Rodgers was delighted to see Tierney receive the acclaim.

“I wanted him to get a specific welcome back,” he said. “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.”