Greg Taylor hopeful of Scotland call-up after string of Celtic displays

By David Walton

March 9, 2020

Greg Taylor’s displays in recent weeks certainly have him hopeful of receiving a Scotland call-up for this month’s Euro 2020 playoff match against Israel.

Scotland will take on the Israelis at Hampden on March 26th, with a potential final playoff match against Norway or Serbia to come afterward, depending on the result.

Taylor, meanwhile, started both of Scotland’s last two Euro 2020 qualification matches against Cyprus and Kazakhstan respectively. Not only did the Scots win both of them too, but Taylor also managed an assist in both games.

Greg Taylor in action (Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

And speaking in the Scottish Sun, the left wing-back is hopeful of another international reward for his current Celtic form.

“The Scotland gaffer knows he can rely on me. I managed to grab a couple of assists in the last games. I am well aware I am behind Andy and probably also Kieran Tierney when he’s back playing.

“But I will just need to keep doing what I am doing, and stay in the Celtic team. If that merits a Scotland call-up, then I’ll be pleased.”

Nothing to suggest Taylor won’t be in the squad

There’s a difference between being in the squad and being in the team of course. With Andy Robertson the current Scotland captain, it stands to reason that he’ll always start for Scotland when fit.

However, behind him in the pecking order, you can’t say that Taylor shouldn’t be first in line. He’s been playing regularly since December and has been performing well for Celtic. He’s started our last eight league matches and continues to be Neil Lennon’s first choice (Transfermarkt).

That’s a highly different scenario to Kieran Tierney’s current situation. Indeed, the Arsenal star picked up a shoulder injury in early December and hasn’t played since (Transfermarkt).

Celtic full-back Greg Taylor (Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images)

Therefore, even though Taylor has admitted that he’s behind Robertson and Tierney, he could be given a chance to be first reserve to the Scotland captain this time around. His relationship with Steve Clarke may also prove beneficial too given the duo spent two years together at Kilmarnock.

If Taylor doesn’t make the squad this time around it would be a massive slap in the face. Not just because of the fact he’s been playing every week for Celtic, but because he’s proved to be a terrific servant to Clarke over the last few years.

So here’s hoping the Celtic defender gets his chance. It’s difficult to see what more he could do to earn it.

Do you believe that Greg Taylor should be in the Scotland squad for this month’s matches? Let us know in the comments below.