Brendan Rodgers remains hopeful he can convince Greg Taylor to sign a new deal with Celtic, despite growing speculation about the left-back’s future following Kieran Tierney’s imminent return to Parkhead this summer.
Reports from Croatia suggested that Taylor had agreed terms on a summer move to Dinamo Zagreb, where Fabio Cannavaro is reportedly keen to bring him in. However, as things stand, no deal has been finalised, and Rodgers is hopeful that Taylor will remain at Celtic beyond the end of the season.
Speaking about Taylor’s contract situation, Rodgers acknowledged that the arrival of Kieran Tierney, who has agreed a pre-contract to return from Arsenal, has naturally raised questions. But he insists there’s plenty of room for both players in his squad.
He said: [RecordSport]
“My feeling will be to still to hope to convince Greg to be here. Of course as the longer that goes on that becomes much less but it doesn’t change his professionalism. He is a brilliant professional.
“We will just have to see how the next four months go. I have had a number of open conversations with Greg on it. That (Kieran returning) is without doubt an issue.
“He has been a starter here for virtually six years. He’s always had a challenge that he’s overcome from other players coming in. He knows Kieran well and knows his qualities and abilities. But there still can be room for two of them here. There’s absolutely no doubt.
“You are playing upward of 50 games a season and you can’t play one player in all those. I wouldn’t want to because you won’t have the right physicality.
“To have two players of that quality here would be absolutely brilliant for the club, team and changing room. That’s the things Greg has to think about. From my perspective I don’t see it as a problem because I know he will play in a lot of big games. He has to decide that for himself. It would be a different role for him.”
Taylor has been a key part of Celtic’s success over the past five years, winning four league titles and establishing himself as the first-choice left-back, seeing off every single other player that’s come in to challenge him. However, with Tierney’s return, he faces the prospect of greater competition for his place.
There are many benefits to staying in Glasgow for the player, especially with a child on the way, but he might simply just want a new challenge in life.
