Tierney is back in green and white and had a straightforward message after his first meeting with one familiar face(Image: PA)

‘The band is back together.’

Those were Kieran Tierney’s first words to one Celtic teammate after meeting him for the first time since returning to Parkhead.

Tierney is officially checked back in after six years at Arsenal and it’s almost as if he’s never been away. He came through the academy with the likes of Callum McGregor, Anthony Ralston and Ross Doohan and those who have played with him before are grinning at the sight of him back in green and white.

Keeper Doohan also returns to the club this summer after a spell away and he met Tierney for the first time since they both re-signed when he joined the Scotland camp for the trip to Liechtenstein last month.

And he made a point to seek out his old pal – who had a simple message for him.

“KT was a year older than me growing up in the youth teams, but we obviously played together a lot,” the returning keeper said.

“You obviously know the type of player KT is, what he’s like and the type of person he’s like, so it’s another great addition to the squad.

“I spoke to him when I went away on Scotland duty, so we were both there together when I got the late call. He was there chatting, but I’ve known KT for years now, so I was just looking forward to getting back to it. I think he said to me when I saw him it was about getting the band back together.

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“He said that to me when I saw him so it’s obviously great coming back and then me and him in the same situation, leaving a few years then later both coming back.

“We’ve always had a good relationship. We spoke a lot, although, in the last few years, maybe not as much. But every time we see each other, we chat away and always had the conversation.

“I’ve got the relationship with Tony Ralston because he was in the same youth squad as me from 13, so we went right through it together. We’re pretty close.

“One of my loan spells was at Ayr, so me and Luke McCowan played together for quite a bit. We played together for two seasons, so I still keep in contact with him, so it’s good to come back to a good few familiar faces.”

Elsewhere it’s reported that the Hoops have told Bolton to double their money for Johnny Kenny – or risk missing out on the striker.

Kenny is a target for the EFL League One side but their opening offer, believed to be in the region of £500,000, has been turfed out.

Celtic found that bid to be a touch cheeky and, according to the Scottish Sun, have told them to double it and cough up £1m.

The Irishman spent the first half of last season on loan at Shamrock Rovers and racked up the goals in Ireland, including five in six Conference League appearances, before returning to Parkhead in February.

He scored his first goal for the club against Aberdeen, serving largely as the third-choice No.9 behind Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda.

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But with Callum Osmand set to come in from Fulham and another striker being chased beyond that, it’s believed Kenny is surplus to requirements.

Celtic however won’t be selling him on the cheap even as Kenny enters the final year on his contract.