Greg Taylor spoke to Joe Hart before PAOK move | OneFootball

Before deciding to leave Celtic, Greg Taylor turned to his old teammate Joe Hart for guidance on his next move…

The left-back parted ways with the Hoops after his contract expired at the end of the season. Despite Brendan Rodgers’ desire to retain him, Taylor ultimately chose to pursue a new chapter in his career.

Taylor’s time at Celtic was marked by success, as he picked up five Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups, and three League Cup medals.

Joining from Kilmarnock in 2019 for just £3.5 million, Taylor went on to make 216 appearances for Celtic, proving a reliable presence under the stewardship of Neil Lennon, Brendan Rodgers, and Ange Postecoglou.

Celtic 1-0 theRangers, Scottish Cup Final, 2024 at Hampden Park on 25 May 2024: Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart Photo Alex Todd (IMAGO)

On Tuesday, Taylor signed a three-year contract with Greek club PAOK and later revealed how Hart quietly influenced his decision. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Joe Hart’s someone I really trust and I spoke to him quite a bit over the summer, weighed up the decisions.”

“He was probably the one I spoke to most. He’d experienced something abroad and spoke really highly of it with a young family. He was one I definitely leaned on.”

Hart made 153 appearances during his three seasons with Celtic. Before hanging up his boots last summer, he collected seven major trophies during his time with the club.

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

Like Taylor is set to do, Hart also ventured overseas, featuring 37 times for Torino during a loan spell from Manchester City in the 2016/17 season.

Taylor’s move to PAOK will see the 27-year-old link up once again with ex-Celtic right-back Jonjoe Kenny, who had a short loan stint at the club during the second half of the season of the nightmarish 2020/21 campaign.

PAOK finished third in the Greek Super League last season and finished 17 points behind their main rivals Olympiakos. As a result, Taylor will be playing Europa League group stage football in the coming campaign.

Conor Spence

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