No-one busier: Greg Taylor's impressive stats as Celtic thrash Aberdeen

By Giuseppe Labellarte

February 18, 2023

Celtic maintained their nine-point lead at the top of the Premiership table with a 4-0 hammering of Aberdeen at Celtic Park.

Ange Postecoglou’s charges were simply a class above. They took the lead after just two minutes and set the tone for a masterful display.

The Dons could only half-clear a Greg Taylor cross. Callum McGregor pounced with a ferocious low shot that Jay Gorter couldn’t keep out.

Taylor then turned official provider on 13 minutes. The Celtic left-back fed Reo Hatate, who picked his spot in the bottom corner of the visitors’ net after some neat footwork.

Celtic could and should’ve been further ahead by the time the half-time whistle put a temporary end to Aberdeen’s misery.

Admittedly, the visitors put up more of a fight after the break. Nonetheless, the Bhoys went on to increase the scoreline and put the result beyond doubt on 76 minutes.

The outstanding Hatate out skilled two players as he worked the ball to McGregor. He then surged into the box and fired home as the ball rebounded to him.

Celtic had time for a fourth with minutes to go. Substitute Sead Haksabanovic squared for Liel Abada to sweep the ball first-time high into the net.

Taylor enjoying his football

The vast majority of the Hoops players impressed on the day. However, we feel Taylor deserves another shout-out after putting in another strong performance in green and white.

It wasn’t that long ago that many deemed the £3m man a weak link in the Celtic squad [Fee: The Herald]. Since Ange took the reins, Taylor has improved to the point he’s now one of the most important Bhoys.

His recent combinations and relationship with Daizen Maeda have been especially great to see. That gives Celtic an excellent attacking platform on the left flank, which can create space for others to exploit.

Against Aberdeen, Taylor was simply unplayable down the left with his runs, link-up play, cut-ins and desire to impact the game driving Celtic on. His stats (as per WhoScored) highlight just how much he did right on the day.

Taylor got 129 touches of the ball – a team high – and made 107 passes, 86.9 per cent of which were successful. Two of those were also key passes, and a massive 14 of them were into the final third. He registered his third assist of the season.

Taylor also won four aerial challenges, four ground duels, made two tackles and one clearance, and completed one dribble. He can do the job at both ends of the pitch.

It’s fantastic to see Taylor loving his football and becoming a firm fan favourite at Paradise. His consistency levels have been outstanding and today was another example of that.

In other news, Rangers fans remind everyone how dominant Celtic have been with banner at Livingston