Peter Grant suggests Celtic new boy has already dethroned teammate from Brendan Rodgers’ XI

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Celtic are now in a pretty good headspace after a positive result and performance in the Champions League this week.

You can say it was unexpected because of the nature of Celtic’s previous loss to Borussia Dortmund, but either way, the clean sheet and point away at Atalanta is much welcomed.

It also further strengthens Brendan Rodgers’ squad and, as a result, heightens that much-needed competition from within the team.

Yes, there are certain personnel, from the captain Callum McGregor to central-defender Cameron Carter Vickers, who are untouchable and their places in the side are always there.

However, while those senior stars can keep their place, Peter Grant isn’t so sure about another after Celtic’s goalless draw against Atalanta in the Champions League.

Has Alex Valle taken Greg Taylor’s starting place at Celtic?

Greg Taylor has had a calf issue, so that has resulted in Alex Valle starting a fair few domestic and Champions League games for Celtic.

The 20-year-old, who is on-loan from Barcelona B, has taken his chance, with Grant labelling his performance against Atalanta as ‘first-class’, as he told Go Radio.

Celtic face Motherwell on Sunday and now Grant thinks Taylor, if he returns to the squad, has ‘a fight on his hands’ to get his place back.

From Rodgers’ perspective, this is music to his ears because it’s very much what his squad needs, especially that left-sided fullback.

“I thought young Alex Valle was first class (against Atalanta),” said Grant. “And I really like Greg Taylor. But it’s going to be a fight for Greg now, with the wee fella’s performances.

“I thought all-round, a fantastic performance and when you have to dig in. I never played an easy European away game. Not one because they were different.”

Greg Taylor v Alex Valle stats

One thing is for sure, Rodgers is blessed because he has two high-quality and consistent performers to pick from for that left-back spot.

On one hand, if he can’t choose his starter, then he can easily rotate, simply because of the heavy fixture load, especially with the revamped Champions League format.

But WhoScored has provided Taylor (top) and Valle (bottom) a rating of 7.08 and 7.09, respectively for the campaign so far.

The Scotland international has played double the number of minutes, but the young and upcoming Barcelona star is fairing better in Aerial duals won.