Brendan Rodgers says Kieran Tierney has given up a lot financially to return to Celtic.
The left-back played 45 minutes as the Scottish champions were beaten 3-2 by Estrela de Amadora in a friendly on Saturday.
It was his first outing in green and white since rejoining his boyhood club on a five-year deal.
Speaking post-match, Rodgers outlined Tierney's financial 'sacrifice'.
He said [RecordSport]: "In isolation, Kieran coming back is brilliant for the team.
"Make no doubt about it, Kieran has sacrificed to come back here in a financial way because he really wanted to come back.
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"But to have that player of the quality and experience that he has now, it’s going to be really big for us.
“We want to make strides in European football so to bring that level of playerin will certainly help us to do that.
"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.
"He’s not even at his peak age yet, he’s still got a lot of years left in him and hopefully we’ll have them here at Celtic which I know he’s really excited about."
Sold for £25 million but brought back for free, it is difficult to argue with the business that saw Tierney return.
Rodgers has stayed in touch with the defender and even met him in Majorca towards the end of last season: "I’ve been in contact with him throughout the months," he said.
"When I knew he was going out there [Majorca] for a few days before meeting up with Scotland, we arranged to meet up.
"I tend to do that. I met with Callum [McGregor] as well. It’s nice to reassure him.
"I know what that feeling’s like having been somewhere and coming back and the wonder of what it might be like and feel like.
"But it’s not really until you’re back here that you really sense it. That’s probably what it’s like for him. It’s probably a little bit strange initially but once he gets to Celtic Park, he will feel really at home again."
