Celtic left-back Greg Taylor, who marked his 27th birthday with a standout performance in the Hoops’ 3-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig on Tuesday, is nearing the end of his current contract, which expires next summer. This means he will be free to discuss a potential move with other clubs as early as January.
Taylor, who joined Celtic for £2.1 million from Kilmarnock in September 2019, has been a consistent performer for the club. However, talks over a new contract have stalled, and manager Brendan Rodgers is eager to resolve the situation swiftly. Rodgers emphasized the importance of Taylor to both the team and the locker room, saying: “I hope we can come to an agreement because at some point both sides need to understand where we stand.”
Rodgers added: “If it doesn’t happen, then we’ll know and can plan accordingly. But I really hope it doesn’t come to that because I love working with Greg. He’s played nearly 186 games here, and his influence both on and off the pitch cannot be overstated. He’s been incredibly consistent and crucial to how we play.”
The Celtic manager further praised Taylor’s professionalism, saying, “I really, really like him. He’s such a good guy, and he loves being here. He’s a big voice in the changing room, and his training performances are exemplary. He’s just married and will be a father soon, so we want him to settle down and get everything ready for his future.”
Rodgers also took time to highlight the value of Alex Valle, who was signed on a season-long loan from Barcelona in the summer. Valle has been a solid backup and was exceptional in Celtic’s 6-0 win over Aberdeen in the Premier Sports League Cup semi-final. Still, it was Taylor who got the nod to start against Leipzig, and his contributions were pivotal. Taylor was involved in the build-up to the crucial second goal, scored by Nicolas Kuhn.
Rodgers explained the tactical flexibility his squad offers, saying: “Greg is a specialist in what he does for us, and you can see the flow of the team when he plays. Having two quality players in each position, as we saw, is key to how we operate. Alex did brilliantly in the semi-final, but Tuesday’s match required something different, and Greg’s experience and quality showed.”
Looking ahead, Rodgers will need to make a decision for the left-back position as Celtic prepare for their Premiership match against Kilmarnock. Given Taylor’s familiarity with the tricky plastic pitch at Rugby Park, he is likely to start in the upcoming fixture.
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