Sky Sports reported that Greg Taylor was ‘not available’ to collect his man of the match award against Kilmarnock in front of the TV cameras.
The Celtic left-back was handed a start at Parkhead after Jeffrey Schlupp put in a ‘sloppy’ performance last weekend against St Johnstone.
And it’s safe to say Taylor took his opportunity and then some. 67 Hail Hail handed the ex-Killie star a 9/10 match rating as he excelled as Celtic’s inverted full-back.
Taylor was a constant menace for Kilmarnock and was able to find pockets of space constantly to keep Celtic’s attacking moves flowing forward.
Brendan Rodgers speaks about Celtic’s Greg Taylor
Taylor is out of contract in the summer having spent the last six years as a Celtic player, with Kris Boyd touting him for a move to arch-rivals Rangers.
In March, Rodgers admitted Taylor is more likely to leave the Hoops than stay, but now has stated the club will keep on trying to convince the player to sign a new deal.
Sky Sports reporter Luke Shanley brought Taylor up in Rodgers’ post-match interview and explained that the left-back was unavailable to receive his man of the match award in front of the TV cameras.
Shanley then asked Rodgers if that was an indication of what will happen to Taylor in the summer.
Rodgers replied: “Well, I will always fight to the very end for a player and a person like Greg. Of course, he has earned the right to make the decision he wants.
“But I think you see in the performance today how important someone in that (inverted full-back) role is for us because it opens up so much – and he plays like a midfielder for us.
“So yep, we’ll always try to convince but we’ll see what happens come the end of the season.”
Celtic defender Liam Scales also receives Rodgers shoutout
Taylor wasn’t the only star heralded by Rodgers after the 5-1 triumph. Auston Trusty was poor against St Johnstone last weekend, so the Celtic boss decided to start Scales against Killie.
Rodgers said of Taylor and Scales: “I thought Greg Taylor was brilliant for us. You know, because when you play against a man marking side, you have to be able to rotate, be flexible and not mechanical.
“Otherwise, the positions don’t open up for you and I thought he was a real catalyst for us. Coming in, creating space, and he was very good.
“Liam Scales came into the team having not played for a while and obviously being out injured before that , I thought he was brilliant in the game also. Across the board, really, really pleased.”
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