Schlupp could benefit from Taylor’s reluctance to earn permanent Celtic contract

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The Celtic Star

·21 de febrero de 2025

Schlupp could benefit from Taylor’s reluctance to earn permanent Celtic contract

Jeffrey Schlupp reckoned that all the Bayern Munich attacks were coming down his side in the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night as Vincent Kompany looked for more joy targeting the left had side of the Celtic defence…

Jeffrey Schlupp (Celtic FC) and Michael Olise (FC Bayern München) battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024 25 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Silas Schueller DeFodi Images)

Bayern targeted the left hand side of the Celtic defence in both ties

The Bayern head coach perhaps was clearly expecting Greg Taylor to be playing but Brendan Rodgers was clearly alert to the threat and opted to start the 32 year old loan signing from Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day earlier this month.

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Schlupp was outstanding – even with being thrown in at the deep end against Bayern Munich in their own stadium – and there is no doubt that he contributed hugely to the Celtic performance that kept the Bundesliga leaders at bay until the 94th minute.

Kieran Tierney during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on December 18, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Brendan has a decision to make about his second left back

There’s a side issue that should be mentioned. We have reported previously Brendan Rodgers’ remarks about Celtic signing Kieran Tierney being a problem for Greg Taylor, who figures he has done more than enough to be the first pick left back at the club and isn’t it seems prepared to sign on to play second fiddle to Tierney.

Greg Taylor of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League training on January 28, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Celtic manager just week or so ago pointed out that he needs two quality players for the position and obviously one is going to be the player returning to the club after playing for Arsenal since 2019. Brendan has offered the second spot to Greg Taylor but there has been no agreement on this.

Schlupp is more than capable at Champions League level

Tuesday night showed us all that Schlupp – who is a free agent himself this summer – is more than capable of playing well at the highest level Celtic has reached in over a decade, in knock-out football post group stages in the Champions League.

Vincent Kompany, Head Coach of Bayern Munich, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

And harsh as it may be Greg Taylor has shown that he probably isn’t suited to that level due to his physique which is always going to be targeted by elite managers like Vincent Kompany and others before him.

A reality check for Greg Taylor

That in itself should be a reality check for Greg Taylor to understand this harsh reality himself and to perhaps reconsider the offer that Brendan Rodgers has repeatedly talked to him about. Should a deal be struck then he’s less likely to be playing against the top sides in the Champions League but could play a significant number of matches as the manager has stated. Most of these would be in domestic football where his size and physique aren’t tested or punished as is the case in the Champions League.

Jeffrey Schlupp Celtic Glasgow, 15, 18.02.2025, UEFA Champions League, Playoffs, FC Bayern Muenchen – Celtic Glasgow, Allianz Arena, Photo HMB Media Heiko Becker

A viable alternative has emerged in Jeffrey Schlupp, a player Brendan, as he explained today, tried to sign last summer, presumably before having to opt for Alex Valle from Barcelona. Valle’s deal ended early to allow Jeffrey Schlupp to come in but only after Arsenal had frustrated Celtic’s efforts to get KT up the road on loan.

A fluid situation for Brendan Rodgers

So it a fluid situation for Brendan Rodgers at left back, Bernabei has been sold, Valle send back to Barcelona and thereafter on to Como, KT has to wait until the summer to get back home to Celtic and Greg Taylor, while playing hard to get, might just find himself with no Celtic offer at all if a deal can be done for Schlupp to remain this summer.

Celtic players pose for a photo on pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers was far from dismissing that as an option this afternoon at his own media conference earlier today. The Celtic manager talks about the need to strengthen the squad to make us competitive in Europe and adding not one but two high quality left-backs, both with loads of experience in the Premier League, certainly ticks all the boxes.

Celtic’s Greg Taylor in action during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park, on 8th January 2025 . (Picture by Mark Runnacles)

Greg Taylor has been a fine servant for Celtic and can be justifiably proud of what he has achieved wearing the Hoops. But as Celtic aspire to becoming a seasoned club in the latter stages of the Champions League, that seems beyond him. That harsh reality could shape Celtic’s thinking in the weeks and months ahead.

Celtic won’t sign both players, KT is already a done deal so it’s either Taylor of Schlupp and it certainly now looks like being the latter. Time will tell.