Dorus de Vries has revealed that Brendan Rodgers refused to sanction a summer move to England.
The Dutchman came to Celtic in August 2016 and was instantly installed to the first team before an injury re-opened the door to Craig Gordon.
Once he had returned to fitness Gordon had cemented his position as first choice keeper leaving de Vries to watch from the bench as the Invincibles swept their way to the treble.
Looking back at last summer de Vries told The Sun: “I could have gone back to the Premier League, but, at that moment, I wasn’t allowed to go. Simple as.
“You have to respect that and think of other possibilities besides the not playing bit, which always hurts, all the other bits were really good.
“The coaching staff keep you going. I’m really fortunate with my goalkeeping coach, who keeps me going.
“I’m really fortunate with my family, who are really enjoying where we live. It’s a great area.
“We have a winning team, a European-playing team. Winning trophies, stuff like that, you take that on board as well and it keeps you fighting for more.
“Like I said, there were possibilities in the summer, but there was no option of going.
“You have to respect that decision and make the most of it. I was not allowed to move. It was as simple as that. You can’t mope about it.
“You can’t go and sit in the corner and cry. That would be no use. You have to take it on the chin and try to make the most of the situation.
“I also felt loyalty to the gaffer. I’ve worked with him in the past and he’s been great for me. I really enjoyed working with him at Swansea.”
De Vries will start his third consecutive game of the season on Saturday when Celtic host Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup with the standard rising sharply with two matches against Zenit St Petersburg and Aberdeen before the end of February.
With Scott Bain brought in from Dundee on transfer deadline day the Dutchman is clearly the first choice keeper behind a very changeable central defence.
Against Thistle on Saturday Rodgers is likely to go with a pairing of Kieran Tierney and Jozo Simunovic.