Celtic’s Greg Taylor has taken took the opportunity to pay tribute to the Celtic support after the conclusion of the club’s Champions League Group F campaign.
Ange Postecoglou’s side rounded off their return to the Champions League after a five-year absence with a 5-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, leaving the Hoops with two points from six games.
Taylor was sure that the travelling support who, as ever, have followed the club across Europe with distinction wouldn’t go without praise after several thousand Celtic fans travelled to the Spanish capital for last Wednesday’s game.
As reported by The Daily Record, Taylor said: “The fans have been unbelievable throughout this whole campaign.
“They have followed us everywhere, they have backed us, they have clapped us off after we got beat 5-1. That is hard for them to take, they deserve more, of course they do. But they are absolutely unbelievable and every one of us in that changing room is so grateful for their support. It is a fanbase like no other.
“It was good for the fans to get something that they deserved when Jota scored. I wish it had been a more critical point in the game, but it was a real moment of quality. We have got three games to go to the break and the first one is Dundee United. So we will rest, recover and be ready to put on a performance at home for the fans.”
Taylor has relished the opportunity to challenge himself in the Champions League despite Celtic being ruthlessly punished at times and not receiving the results that their performances have often merited.
He said: “I have loved it to be honest, playing at this level. It is the best competition in the world. It has been challenging, but so fulfilling when you do compete because you are learning at every moment in the game.
“You are trying to focus, you are trying to reposition, everything. But it is difficult and Wednesday was as difficult as it comes I think. They were right at it. It was a tough night. But, equally, it gives you a taste for it, you want another crack at it.
“Everyone in that changing room will want to compete at this level. Of course we want better results, that goes without saying. And the fans demand that. It has been difficult, but if you don’t want to compete at this level then you are in the wrong sport.”
The 24-year-old believes that Celtic have the potential to improve next year should they make the immediate return to the Champions League by winning the Scottish Premiership.
He said: “Hopefully if we knuckle down domestically we will get another crack at it. We are a determined group as it is, but we know the club demands success, demands to be playing on the biggest of stages. Hopefully we can get another crack.”
“We look at where we can be better and that is probably being more clinical. We also need to be more resolute at the back and defend as a team better.
“We don’t just defend as a back four, we defend as an 11. Real probably broke through us a bit too easily. There are definite improvements to be made. But equally we know that with another year’s experience we will, if we get back next year, be better equipped.”
Whilst the Champions League is always something to look forward to for Celtic supporters, it’s been pleasing to see that the team seem determined to make it a regular occurrence rather than a one-off, as it has been for the majority of the last decade.
Regular participation will bring with it further resources, and good investment could see Celtic emulate the likes of Club Brugge who have built on continual involvement to qualify for the last sixteen amidst a host of other more established clubs.
It would be fine reward for Celtic’s fans who follow the club come rain or shine to the furthest ends of the continent and back several times a year.
In other news: Joe Hart still hungry for more in the Champions League with Celtic
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