Greg Taylor believes Celtic’s title-winning run showed exactly why the squad deserved to finish the season as champions.
The former Hoops defender was speaking on Clyde 1 after Celtic came through a difficult campaign to get over the line, despite a season that brought change, pressure and moments where the title race looked far from straightforward.
He said: “For long parts of the season it probably was not what the fans have been used to, or what the players have been used to.
“But any team to win seven games in a row to win a league, I don’t think you can argue who deserves it in that situation.
“The mentality within the group, and speaking earlier, guys like Callum and James and Kieran now carried the boys over the line in the end.”
It was a season where Celtic had to deal with serious disruption.
Brendan Rodgers’ departure, Wilfried Nancy’s arrival and a run of inconsistent performances all added to the pressure. Hearts also put together a strong run late in the campaign, making the title race feel more uncomfortable than many would have expected.
Taylor admitted there were times when even he wondered if the season might not end the way Celtic wanted.
He added: “I wasn’t shocked.
“I think I’d be lying if I said throughout the season I thought it was a foregone conclusion that Celtic would win the league.
“There were definitely points near the end where Hearts were on a strong run that you maybe thought it wasn’t going to be the season we’d hoped for.
“But in the end, as I said, to put that run together, the big players, we spoke about that for Scotland, they were going to be vital.
“And the big players for Celtic, getting Alistair Johnston back fit, Daizen hitting form at the right time, I think these were key moments in a very key part of the season.”
Those comments will resonate with Celtic supporters.
This was not a title won with the same control or comfort as some previous campaigns. There were questions, frustration and periods where the team looked vulnerable.
But when it came to the final stretch, Celtic found something.
Taylor was also asked about Maeda, who had gone through a long spell without scoring before stepping up when Celtic needed him most.
He said: “I think in a difficult part of the season for not just Daizen, that was everyone within the building, whether it was staff or players.
“So I don’t think it could all be down to Daizen not having his best run of form.
“But he found it at the key part of the season, and he’s been a real key, consistent, top performer.
“Even if he’s not been finding the goals or finding the assists at different moments in the game, his pressing and his relentless energy have been a key component of a strong Celtic team throughout the years.”
That is probably the fairest way to view Maeda’s season.
The goals may not always have come, but his work rate, pressing and energy remained crucial. When the big moments arrived, he delivered.
Taylor’s verdict summed up Celtic’s season well.
It was not always smooth. It was not always convincing. But when the pressure was at its highest, the players who know what Celtic demands helped drag the team over the line.
And after seven straight wins to seal the league, Taylor believes there can be little argument over who deserved the title.
