Greg Taylor Shares Celtic’s Hidden Glasgow Derby Blueprint

Celtic’s win over Rangers at Ibrox was not built on attacking football. Former Celtic defender Greg Taylor believes it came from something else. The mentality inside the dressing room.

The Scottish Cup tie stretched the full distance before being decided by penalties. Rangers carried much of the attacking threat during the match, forcing Celtic to defend deep for long spells. Taylor watched a game where the visitors spent more time protecting the box than building attacks.

For the former left-back, that type of afternoon is familiar. He played in enough Glasgow derbies to know that performances do not always decide the result. Sometimes it comes down to surviving the difficult moments and staying in the game long enough to strike.

Taylor pointed to the defensive effort across the Celtic back line. Rangers pushed numbers forward and tried to create chances inside the area, but blocks and last-ditch tackles kept the score level until the shootout arrived.

He said: (Premier Sports), “It was just pure mentality.

“Celtic teams have shown for numerous seasons that they find a way.

“There have been many times we’ve gone to Ibrox or played Rangers and not played well but still found a way to win.

“Trusty was amazing again. I think he must have made eight or nine blocks in the game.

“When you’re missing big players and the football hasn’t been plain sailing this season, Celtic teams still find a way.”

Taylor singled out Auston Trusty for special praise. The centre-back spent much of the afternoon stepping across the six-yard box and throwing himself into challenges. It was the kind of defending that keeps a team alive when pressure starts to build.

Taylor also recognised the wider defensive effort around him. Celtic players tracked runners, blocked shots and cleared crosses. Every challenge mattered because Rangers kept forcing the play towards goal.

Taylor also spoke about Callum McGregor’s injury situation, which you can read more about here.

That work kept the match goalless after 120 minutes. When penalties came, Celtic did not hesitate. Each player stepped forward and finished their kick before Tomas Cvancara rolled home the final effort.

Taylor’s verdict was simple. Celtic might not have controlled the derby, but the mentality he spoke about carried them through another afternoon at Ibrox.