Hoops legend Alan Thompson will be at Celtic Park on Sunday for the first time in 10 years.
It’s taken a decade for the scars to heal after he was dismissed as Neil Lennon’s right-hand man at the end of the 2011-12 season.
But this weekend, the 48-year-old will take his seat in the directors’ box along with his new partner Hayley to watch Ange Postecoglou’s side try to consolidate their lead at the top of the table against Dundee.
His presence at the game will be warmly welcomed by Celtic fans who idolised the midfielder during seven trophy-laden years at the club.
But for Thompson himself, it provides demonstrative proof that he’s in a good place again after some turbulent years.
“Everyone’s asking me why it’s taken so long - well, for starters, it’s the first official invite I’ve had in all that time,” said the Geordie, who still possesses the same cheeky sense of humour which was his trademark as a player.
“Chris Trainer contacted me and I was delighted to take up his offer.”
Had the invitation arrived four or five years ago, Thompson would have politely declined.
“For a long time, I wasn’t ready to return,” he added. "I didn’t want to go back. It didn’t feel right.
“My time at Celtic did not finish in a nice way and while I never lost my love for the club, it hit me hard.”
Thompson has relocated to the Manchester area where he set up home with Hayley and is looking for a way back into football after brief spells working alongside Lee Clark at Blackpool and Bury.
The healing process has been gradual though penning his autobiography “A Geordie Bhoy” which was released last November, proved surprisingly therapeutic.
“I feel I can face up to it now,” he said. “Writing the book, bumping into old friends at functions and COVID restrictions easing, everything sort of fell into place. And let’s face it, ten years is a long time.”
Thompson is genuinely excited though his return his tinged with disappointment.
He explains: “Believe it or not, I was offered a ticket for the Old Firm derby but it came on the day of the game and I’d already made arrangements.
“But I still watched it on telly, which I do every Celtic game and those opening 45 minutes were very special. Wish I’d been there.”
Which brings us to the state of the modern day Hoops and the transformation under Ange Postecoglou.
“I couldn’t be more delighted,” declares Thompson. “There’s an energy and freshness about the side which is wonderful to see.
“People ask me to compare Ange to Martin O’Neill and I suppose there are similarities because he also came in at a time when Rangers seemed well ahead.
“And I’d love to see him following in Martin’s footsteps and win the Treble at the first attempt – I wouldn’t rule it out.
“But Ange reminds me more of Arsene Wenger and not just because of his background in Japanese football.
“It’s the way he’s stamped his identity on the team and the whole culture of the club in double-quick time.
“And you can’t fail to be impressed with his recruitment programme. Hatate and Kyogo in particular have really caught my eye.”
Thompson’s hoping it will just be like old times on Sunday afternoon but says Hayley could be in for quite a shock.
“When we met, I didn’t really let on I was an ex-footballer who’d had a decent career,” he says.
“It was only when we came up to Glasgow for a do that it hit her. She couldn’t believe all the attention I was getting.
“Now I can’t stop talking about football because my two teams are flying.
“Celtic are top of the league and Newcastle have won three in a row.”
The good times are definitely back for Thommo.
