Celtic captain Scott Brown says he is delighted to be back fully fit and ready to lead his team to a Scottish league and cup double after returning to action ahead of schedule.
Brown was forced to have surgery on a troublesome abductor problem after the Parkhead first leg of the last 16 Champions League tie with Juventus in February.
He returned from three months out at Celtic Park to lead the team to a 4-0 win over St Johnstone in a man-of-the-match display.
The 27-year-old then held the Scottish Premier League trophy aloft in front of the home fans for the second straight season and told the Celtic View it was another extremely special occasion for him.
"It means a lot to me," he said, "and for the gaffer to give me a start it was really good. I got 60 minutes under my belt and that's great with two big games coming up.
"I wasn't expecting to start, not after my performances in training this week anyway, but I felt fine in the game.
"The gaffer told me early doors I was going to take part in the game but when I found out I was going to start I was delighted. This is a good couple of weeks ahead of schedule but everything's perfect now."
The Scotland international admitted it was another emotional day in the east end of Glasgow after not expecting to kick a ball again before pre-season following the operation.
Brown is hoping to keep his place in the starting line-up when Celtic face Hibernian at Hampden on May 26 in the Scottish Cup final and added: "It's always special lifting the SPL trophy but to play so well it means even more, it was an outstanding day.
"It was a great occasion, the lads did really well and it was a special atmosphere. The fans were outstanding from the first minute until the last. To do it at home as well means a lot to the players.
"After the first five minutes we set the tempo and the tone, and showed them what we were all about. We knew it was going to be a big game and a big occasion in front of the home fans and they helped us along."
