"Basically, I was told I could speak to Reading and Celtic. I was then also given permission to speak to Middlesbrough, but by that time my mind was already made up," he claimed.
"If I had chosen Reading I would probably be fighting a relegation battle next season and then maybe disappearing into the Championship.
"In two years' time people would have been saying: 'Remember that lad Scott Brown - whatever happened to him?'
"I want the chance to test myself against Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid and I'm going to get that chance at Parkhead. What more could you wish for?
"There was only one team I wanted to play for and Celtic told me everything I wanted to hear."