Odin Thiago Holm has opened up on his time at Celtic after returning to Vålerenga on loan, and his words give a clear picture of how difficult the spell became.

The midfielder arrived in Glasgow as a young player with potential, but he never found a regular place in the side. Minutes were limited, and chances to build any rhythm were short.

Celtic’s midfield has been settled for a number of years. That left Holm trying to make an impact in brief appearances or from the bench. It’s a tough way to develop, especially in a team chasing results every week.

His return to Norway offers something different. At Vålerenga, he steps back into a familiar setting where he is expected to play and be involved. That changes the daily routine and the feel around training.

He said: (the VG podcast), “I’ve missed being here (Valerenga). I’ve been really looking forward to coming back.

“It’s been tough. Glasgow is a tough city. When you don’t have a social network and you end up in a situation where you’re not playing football, it’s hard to find many sources of joy.

“There wasn’t much joy in football, and that’s natural when you don’t play.

“My first priority is to enjoy football again. It was really good to get a session here again. The body feels good.”

Those comments point to more than just football. Without games, the week becomes longer, and confidence can drop. Training alone doesn’t replace that feeling of playing regularly.

At Celtic, the competition in midfield means chances are hard to come by. Players ahead of him were trusted, and results kept that structure in place.

Back in Norway, the focus is simpler. Play, get touches on the ball, and build form again. That’s what has been missing.

This loan gives Holm the chance to reset. Not by changing his game, but by getting back into it every week.