How many young prospects get chewed up and spit out when their dream move turns into a nightmare at Celtic? Greg Taylor got brought to Celtic last summer as one of two left-backs bought to fill a chasm left by fan favourite Keiran Tierney.
Bolingoli has already left the building which leaves young Taylor as Celtic’s sole left-back and the honeymoon is over as the champions tune into a ten in a row season. The pressure is well and truly on the defender after mixed performances this season but it’s good to see the player come out swinging and staking his claim for his position when quoted in Record Sport.
“That is the life of a player at a big club. There’s going to be competition everywhere. Boli’s gone on loan, so there’s a vacancy there. It’s understandable the manager’s looking to bring someone else in.”
“It’s competition and that drives every player on. It’s something that we love having in the squad. I just keep my focus on what I’ve got to do. You just aim to do enough that makes sure the manager selects you for the next game.”
Taylor has obviously heard some of the noises that are coming from Celtic fans about his performances but this wasn’t just a quick reply to the pressure he is clearly under, it was more of a statement of intent as the player continued:
“There’s always pressure on you, but I don’t have a problem with that. It pushes me on. I feel I can deal with the pressures. It’s something I’ve become accustomed to. The pressures and demands through the support, the squad, the club. It’s all-natural and I feel I can handle it. I also feel I’ve handled it well since I signed for Celtic.
“It’s a pressure that I love. I am feeling good, feeling ready for what’s to come. I’m enjoying playing, I’ve been involved in eight of the nine games this season and it’s something I want to continue. I love playing at this club. I think I understand now everything about the club and what comes with it. It’s a massive club. It’s the kind of expectation and pressure you want as a player.”
A brilliant insight into the player’s mental reaction to the last few weeks of criticism but at the end of the day fans will want to see these words transformed into action. One thing for sure is Neil Lennon desperately needs a left-back ASAP. The Hoops don’t want to be going into this season of all seasons short on players and they are short in defence.
The good news for Taylor is he gets a chance to prove his words nearly three times a week and though it may not seem like it all the time the majority of Celtic fans are rooting for him to be proved right.
