I’VE GOT NOTHING TO PROVE
“I know how much I work professionally on myself, on my body, on my recovery to be as ready as I can be for games.
“I’m not here to prove anything. I’m just here to do the best I can for Celtic and see where it goes.
“It’s a very good team. A very strong team, a lot of physicality, a lot of pace, a lot of power, so it’s training has been of a high standard.
EASIEST DECISION EVER TO SIGN
“It’s probably the easiest signing Celtic has had to make and the easiest decision I’ve had to make as well.
“When I knew I was going to be a free agent in the summer, things can happen in January so talks obviously started then.
“When I found it wouldn’t happen in January, it was decided it would be the summer.
BRENDAN RODGERS’ ROLE IN RETURN
“He played a huge part but ultimately it’s Celtic so I was always happy with that.
“Being with the gaffer again and people like John Kennedy, who I’ve always kept in touch with, is amazing.
“I’ve loved playing under the gaffer, I’ve played so many games under him and was so successful.
“He’s a great manager and I’m delighted to be back with him.
COMING BACK HOME
“It’s more about being back at Celtic. The first year I went away I was a little bit homesick. I missed home.
“The main part of coming back here was Celtic, it wasn’t to be home.
DIFFERENCES IN LEVELS TO EPL
“Completely different. It’s hard to compare. It’s a lot of the same challenges that you face in a different setup.
“It’s different teams, different strengths, different playing style. So the challenge in football is always the same and it’s different every week.
RUNNING OUT AT CELTIC PARK AGAIN
“It will be amazing. It will be a special day. There’s probably a little bit of nerves as well because it’s the first time I’ve done it in so long. I spent a huge chunk of my life here, a big part of my career, and still lots to go. I’ll be absolutely buzzing for it.
“You always miss it. It’s a club that I think when you’re away from it you do miss it. You miss the people in the club, the fans, the atmosphere, and just everything about the club.
ALWAYS PLANNING TO MAKE RETURN
“Now I’m back here I want to enjoy every single moment and make the most of it.
“When I left I remember my first interview at Arsenal, one of the media guys asked me ‘Do you think you’ll go back to Celtic’, so it’s something that’s always been spoken about with me. When will it happen and you never know for sure but when the opportunity came then it was a no brainer.
“They’ve been brilliant. Just leaving the training ground today, there was lots of people asking for autographs and pictures and welcoming me back. It just makes you feel at home already.
TYPE OF PLAYER I AM NOW
“I still think I’ve got the same work rate, the same determination, which was always my strong point so I try to carry them everywhere I go. No matter my age, or what club or what position, I just try to give everything and I’ve said that from day one.
