Adam Montgomery has opened up on his decision to leave Celtic on loan once again, revealing the return of Kieran Tierney made his first-team chances even more limited.

The full-back has joined Livingston for the 2025/26 campaign, aiming to get regular game time under his belt in the Premiership.

Montgomery, who came through the ranks at Lennoxtown, still has a couple of years remaining on his contract at Celtic Park. However, with Brendan Rodgers’ squad stacked with experienced left-sided options, including the returning Tierney and Hayato Inamura, the pathway to minutes in Glasgow’s East End has narrowed.

The 23-year-old has already experienced loan spells at St Johnstone and Fleetwood Town, but is now relishing a fresh opportunity to make his mark under Davie Martindale. Montgomery believes Livingston’s playing style and the manager’s approach suit his game perfectly.

After weighing up his options both in Scotland and down south, Montgomery felt Livi offered the best platform for him to showcase what he can do in the top flight.

He said: (RecordSport), “I spoke to Davie Martindale before coming here and he talked about how he wanted me to play for the club on the front foot and pressing, which suits my game.

“The quality at Celtic is undeniable with players like Kieran and Callum McGregor, so the plan for this season for me was to get out and playing games.

“I still have a couple of years at Celtic on my contract but I want to play as many 90 minutes as possible. And Livingston was the best place for me to do that.

“There were a few other options – a couple down the road and some up here – but when I spoke to the gaffer, this was the best option.”

Livingston secured their top-flight return through the Premiership play-offs, seeing off Ross County in a dramatic two-legged tie. Davie Martindale’s side are rebuilding for life back in the big league, and Montgomery is eager to play his part in that journey.

With promotion secured, Livingston are now tasked with proving they can survive and thrive in the Premiership once more. Martindale is expected to lean on high-energy, aggressive football, a style Montgomery feels matches his own strengths.

Celtic, meanwhile, will be keeping a close eye on their academy graduate’s progress as they continue to manage the development of their younger players via domestic loans. Montgomery’s minutes at Livingston will be crucial in determining whether he can eventually stake a claim back at Parkhead.

For now, it’s about building consistency and grabbing the opportunity. Montgomery will be hoping a strong campaign in the top flight can put him firmly back on Brendan Rodgers’ radar.