Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says it’s important for the club to address Greg Taylor’s situation at the club with less than a year left on his contract.
Taylor signed for the Bhoys from Kilmarnock back in 2019 and the left-back renewed his deal in 2021, signing up for four years to the summer of 2025.
In that time he’s made 173 appearances in all competitions and managed to help the team to an impressive nine trophies. He’s increasingly become a very important part of the Celtic squad.
Earlier in the week, the defender spoke candidly about a lack of progress on renewing terms with the Bhoys, albeit clarifying that it’s not at the forefront of his mind.
Rodgers was asked about the situation in the build-up to Saturday night’s match against Chelsea and made his feelings clear on the subject.
Brendan Rodgers on Greg Taylor contract
Speaking in a media conference, the Bhoys boss said [Celtic FC]: “I don’t really want players to be going into that last year where possible. Hopefully between the club and his agent, he’s one I’ve said all along, I really want him to stay here. I can’t guarantee any player that they’re going to play every single game. What I want to build here is a strong squad with his competition at this moment in time.
“Greg doesn’t have that and we want to bring that into the squad. But there’s absolutely no doubt I’ve really enjoyed working with him. He’s a fantastic player. How his career has went at Celtic, I’m really pleased for him. And someone that we would want to tie down for the longer term. So, hopefully, we can do that.
“I think there was communication maybe towards the end of last season. I also met with Greg’s agent to talk through the importance of where I see it, but also to be honest and open about where everything is at. It’s clear we want to keep him. I’m hopeful we can get a deal done because he’s a very important player for us.”
Taylor can continue to be a useful squad option at Celtic
Taylor is represented by the PLG agency, whose high-profile clients include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Aaron Hickey. It appears talks will continue to agree on favourable terms for all parties.
That’s a positive in my book. While there is a recognition that Taylor could use stronger competition – and perhaps be less relied upon overall – the left-back is clearly a strong squad option for the Bhoys and ticks the ‘trained in nation’ box when it comes to putting together an eligible squad for UEFA tournaments.
There should be no rush to end this relationship. Still just 26, Taylor is a prominent member of the Celtic dressing room and has been a key figure in support of leader Callum McGregor. Get his new deal done and continue to add quality to compete for his place.
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