Greg Taylor said he never had any doubt in his mind that he would break into the first team at Celtic after his move from Kilmarnock in the summer. The new signing took some time to push his way to the top of the manager’s plans, but now he is there he wants to stay in there.
The young left-back knows how important it is to be confident in your abilities to make it at the top level but also understands he has two similar people breeding down his neck every time matchday comes around.
Taylor has only emerged really since the start of this year as the number one contender for the wing-back position. Injuries to both Jonny Hayes and Bolingoli presented the chance and Taylor has grabbed his chance with both hands.
The 22-year-old was speaking with the Sunday Post when he described his first few months at Paradise and his path into Neil Lennon’s first team.
“There were adjustments to make, a process I had to learn. I am talking in terms of building up patterns of play and getting used to having more of the ball, It was the attacking side I needed to work on. I hadn’t had as many opportunities to push forward at Kilmarnock.”
“At Celtic, you’ve got a lot more of the ball, so it’s important. Thankfully, we’re scoring lots of goals. You’re higher up, especially in a 3-5-2. You are a wing-back so it’s a shift. But it is one I am enjoying. Everyone wants to be playing but, equally, it’s very rare for someone to walk into a Celtic team.”
The defender also singled out two of his Celtic coaches for their help and guidance with his new added responsibilities in his role.
“So I was doing wee bits here and there with John Kennedy and Damien Duff on the pitch. They’ve been really good with helping me improve. They are two fantastic coaches and it’s good to work with them. I wouldn’t say I was worried when I wasn’t playing. You’ve got to have full belief in yourself”
At 22 the defender has a massive career in front of him and he has his work cut out earning a place in the Scotland national team with the likes of Andy Robertson and Keiran Tierney as the competition but yet again confidence leads his thoughts.
“Potentially, this could be a huge few months coming up for me – with both Celtic and Scotland. The keyword, though, it could! In football, no one owes anyone anything.”
The Bhoys looked in trouble in the summer when Keiren Tierney headed to Arsenal and they were left without a left-back, now they have three to choose from.
Greg you aint been that impressive.