Celtic's plan for Greg Taylor becomes clear as mysterious midweek absence is explained

By Hamish Carton

March 16, 2023

Celtic full-back Greg Taylor’s mysterious absence from our recent league clash against Hearts has been explained.

Taylor has been a virtual ever-present for Ange Postecoglou lately so it was a surprise when he wasn’t included in the matchday squad for the 3-1 win over the Jambos a week ago.

Postecoglou didn’t give much away at the time, simply telling BBC Radio Scotland that Taylor had “pulled up a bit sore.”

Alexandro Bernabei deputised that night, with Taylor returning to the starting line-up for the cup win over the same opposition a few days later.

When the full-back was left out of Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad this week, and Clarke alluded to some sort of injury, intrigue rose again.

But now, a Daily Record piece from Scott Burns has clarified the issue.

Burns says Taylor has been “playing through the pain barrier” in recent weeks due to a lower leg issue.

Taylor and the Celtic medical team have been managing the issue for a couple of weeks. That involved leaving him out of the midweek Hearts clash so that he could be fit for Tynecastle.

It is hoped that a fortnight of rest after Saturday’s game against Hibernian will allow Taylor to be back in top condition for the run-in.

Scotland are pretty well stocked for left-backs with Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and even Aaron Hickey all included in Clarke’s squad.

Taylor may have been unlikely to feature much anyway, so it makes more sense for him to stay at Lennoxtown where the medics know the full extent of his injury.

It will be interesting to see if he starts on Saturday.

In other news, Taylor will be one of many key Celtic players not playing for their countries next week