Greg Taylor served Celtic impeccably for six years. He deserves all our gratitude | OneFootball

Greg Taylor served Celtic impeccably for six years. He deserves all our gratitude…

Greg Taylor and Callum McGregor with the Premier Sports Cup. Photo Kenny Ramsay

With news coming through yesterday that Greg Taylor’s time at Celtic is almost up, I felt I needed to thank a player who deserves to leave the club with his head held high and receive the gratitude from our supporters he fully deserves.

Greg Taylor has gave his all for Celtic over the past six years. He was always a player who split the fan base but no matter what your opinion on Greg Taylor’s playing ability, you can not deny that he gave everything whilst at Celtic and should be commended for everything he has given us throughout his spell at the club.

Taylor arrived at Celtic as we were mourning the loss of Kieran Tierney who had flown the nest to take on a new challenge at Arsenal. Tierney was one of the biggest fan favourites in recent memory and whoever replaced him was always going to be negatively compared to a player the Celtic fans held in such high regard.

The signing of Greg Taylor from Kilmarnock certainly wasn’t one that sparked great excitement amongst the Celtic support and most of us originally saw him as the back up to Boli Bolingoli. Taylor however showed that he was a much more reliable option than the former Rapid Vienna man and over time become our first choice left back.

Boli Bolingoli of Celtic FC in action during the UEFA Champions League, Third Round Qualifying Round match between CFR Cluj and Celtic FC on 07 August 2019, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Photo: Alex Nicodim/Imago

With Bolingoli’s Celtic career going from bad to worse, including his infamous trip to Spain during lockdown, Celtic looked to the transfer market again to sign another left back. This time it was Uruguayan international Diego Laxalt. Once again after initially impressing Laxalt quickly showed he wasn’t Celtic class and Taylor yet again ousted another pretender to Kieran Tierney’s throne.

Diego Laxalt Celtic Photo: Jane Barlow

This season saw us pay good money to bring in yet another left back to challenge Taylor. Signing Jeffrey Schlupp from Crystal Palace on loan looked a shrewd move and he was another one who started brightly before his form dropped off.

Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership 29/03/2025. Elton Kabangu of Hearts holds off Jeffrey Schlupp of Celtic during the match at Celtic Park on 29 March 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie/ PSI

Greg Taylor once again fought his way back to become our number one left back. That’s 3 left backs we spent good money on who all failed to oust Taylor as our number one in that position. He was always undervalued but this proves he was more than decent during his Celtic career. His main problem was he wasn’t Kieran Tierney.

Kieran Tierney, Photo Celtic FC

I couldn’t believe reading a comment to an earlier article which stated Greg Taylor didn’t have the guts to fight for his Celtic place and that we have dodged a bullet by not resigning him. In my opinion that’s total nonsense. Taylor has fought off every challenger over these past six years and I for one would have been absolutely delighted to see him sign a new contract.

We would have had great strength in depth at left back with Tierney and Taylor. With Kieran’s injury problems I wouldn’t have worried so much knowing we had Greg as back up. I will be astonished if his replacement is an upgrade.

Greg Taylor scores Celtic’s first goal during the Premier Sports Cup Final victory over theRangers at Hampden on 15 December 2024. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

I can absolutely see why Greg Taylor has chose to leave Celtic. Kieran Tierney is back and everyone knows he will always be number one at left back if fit. Tierney is a world class player who we couldn’t dream about signing if he wasn’t one of our own. He is an elite player and Brendan Rodgers will use him in all the big games if fit. That’s a fact. As good as Greg Taylor is he is not world class so there was never going to be a battle for the position. It’s Kieran Tierney’s.

So where did that leave Taylor? He would obviously be used if and when Tierney was injured. Maybe on occasions Rodgers might utilise him in early round cup games or away games against the likes of Falkirk, Kilmarnock or Livingston to save our star player having to play on the dreaded plastic pitches. Would he be happy with that? Would you? Of course you wouldn’t.

Celtic v St Mirren – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic s Greg Taylor celebrates with the trophy after the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park,  Saturday May 18, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Having experienced all the big games over these last six years, the Glasgow Derbies, the Cup Finals, the Champions League nights, it would be devastating sitting on the bench knowing you won’t be utilised unless your teammate gets injured.

Taylor also has his international career to think about. He has a hard enough job trying to get into the Scotland squad with Tierney and Andy Robertson ahead of him in his position without becoming a player who very rarely gets to prove his worth at club level.

Playing in Greece won’t hold him back, as maybe it would have previously with most managers out of sight out of mind philosophy, but with so many of Scotland young talents now playing abroad it proves it is no hindrance to your international ambitions. He also has a young family to think about and the improvement in his wage package will certainly be a positive, as will living his life in a beautiful country like Greece.

Celtic v St Mirren – Joe Hart left hugs team-mate Greg Taylor during the Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday May 18, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

If this is the end of his time at Celtic I for one would like to thank him for everything he has gave to the club over these past six years. He gave everything to Celtic and became not only one of our most important players but it is also well reported that he was one of the leaders in the dressing room also. He played a huge part in Celtic’s recent success and although severely underrated by a lot of fans he will be remembered fondly in years to come.

As I said earlier, I will be very surprised if whoever the club gets to replace him proves to be an upgrade. Enjoy your time in Greece, Greg and although it will be hard to ever top representing Celtic, I sincerely hope your career continues in an upward trajectory with many more exciting days to come.

Thank you Greg and Hail Hail

Conall McGinty

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