Greg Taylor believes continuity will be vital for Celtic this summer as Martin O’Neill looks to shape his backroom team.

The former Hoops defender was speaking on Clyde 1 and pointed to the importance of stability behind the scenes at a time when Celtic could be facing a busy period of change.

O’Neill is back in charge, and while there are already experienced figures inside the building, questions remain over how his coaching staff will look for the new season.

Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham’s futures have been the subject of discussion, while former Celtic player Efrain Juarez has also been linked with a possible role as part of O’Neill’s staff.

Taylor, who knows the club well, believes keeping familiar coaching voices around the squad could be hugely important.

He said: “I think continuity will be important in a summer that could be a lot of changes.

“Celtic, there’s a lot of players coming back from loans, there’ll be new players coming in and I think that getting them two guys back will be pretty vital for that staff.

“There’s already amazing guys in the building, guys like Gavin Strachan, Stephen McManus, so they have them coaches there but I think Martin would be probably desperate to get the other two guys back.”

It is a revealing comment at a time when Celtic’s off-field picture is still taking shape.

O’Neill brings huge authority and experience, but the modern game also demands a strong coaching team around the manager every day at Lennoxtown.

That is where figures like Maloney and Fotheringham could be important if they remain involved. Both know the club, both have coaching experience, and both would provide a level of continuity during a summer that could see significant squad movement.

Taylor’s point about players returning from loan is also important.

Celtic will have decisions to make on a number of players coming back into the building, while new signings are also expected. That means the staff will have to integrate players quickly, set standards and make clear who fits into O’Neill’s plans.

Having familiar coaches around the squad could make that process smoother.

Gavin Strachan and Stephen McManus are already in place and remain respected figures inside the club. Strachan has worked under several Celtic managers, while McManus knows the club inside out and has long been involved in player development.

But Taylor clearly feels O’Neill would benefit from having the full support structure he wants around him.

The Juarez link adds another interesting layer.

The Mexican has previous Celtic connections and has built coaching experience since leaving the club as a player. If he was to join the staff, it would bring a fresh voice into the setup.

But Taylor’s comments show why continuity matters too.

Celtic cannot afford a disjointed summer. There could be changes in the squad, decisions over returning loan players, new arrivals and pressure to get the season started properly under O’Neill.

That is why the backroom team feels so important.

For Taylor, the message is simple. Celtic already have good coaches in the building, but O’Neill will want the right people around him, and keeping key familiar figures could be vital as the club enters another important summer.