Greg Taylor has certainly had a disappointing season by his own standards at Celtic.
He was on top of the world last term. He had ousted Boli Bolingoli as the club’s first-choice left-back from January 2020 onwards. With 22 appearances to his name last season, he ended the campaign a nine-in-a-row winner.
However, that positive vibe around Taylor seemed to change this term. Celtic moved to bring in Diego Laxalt, and the Uruguayan quickly won fans over with his drive and defensive qualities.
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That’s led to a generally frustrating 2020/21 season. 17 appearances sounds not too bad for just over half a campaign. But the truth is Taylor has only managed three starts in our last 12 league games. He’s been second choice to Diego stretching back to the Rangers game in October.
Tonight against Livi, however, he showed both the good and the bad to his game in a disappointing 2-2 draw. The former Kilmarnock man put in a tremendous shift down the left flank and combined well with Moi Elyounoussi throughout. Yet, a bad second-half error let him down.
Second half error from Greg Taylor cost Celtic in the end
He generally showed the level of composure on the ball that we all remember from last term. And it was that ball-control that allowed him to get the better of his man going forward too.
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Join the forum now >>How often tonight did we see him once again making those overlapping runs and pulling his man to help stretch the Livi defence?
Granted, his crossing could’ve been better. Too often again were our crosses from the wide areas striking the first man.
Celtic defender Greg Taylor (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
But you could say that about Kris Ajer’s side too. He constantly got the better of his man going forward before failing to find a Celtic player with his final ball.
However, Taylor was badly at fault for Livingston’s second goal. He allowed Jay Emmanuel Thomas to run off him and poke home. And in truth, it overshadowed what was a generally positive display.
It was nice at least to see Taylor be so direct this evening. Too often in recent times from Laxalt have we seen him cut inside and run into too many defensive bodies. Celtic definitely got more joy with the direct and wide approach before the Livingston equaliser.
And on yet another rough night for the champions, the supporters had mixed reactions to Taylor’s performance as the game wore on:
Greg Taylor takes up some great positions going forward. Some coaching on his final ball and there’s a good player there imo👍
— Seán Markus Clifford (@seanmarkus_67) January 20, 2021
Greg Taylor. There's a talent there. Maybe he'd shine under a different manager?
— Kathryn White (@RealKaffo) January 20, 2021
Greg Taylor been showing more tonight than Laxalt has for some time to be fair. Final ball not quite there though
— Murray (@DMMacdonald96) January 20, 2021
Hope this game puts to bed the laxalt taylor debate at least. Taylor actually providing offensively. Celtic looking decent from wide areas
— Bhoys Analytics (@BhoysAnalytics) January 20, 2021
Both arent good enough to be first choice but least Taylor is our player and will be here next season.
Plus, Taylor gets into much more advanced positions than Laxalt although Taylor still hits first man far too often 😭
— Ryan Carr (@ryan_carr3) January 20, 2021
Taylor left marking two right in the middle of the goal
— IGCeltic (@IGCeltic) January 20, 2021
Tempted fate stupidly.
— Mark Mackay (@markmackay67) January 20, 2021
Greg Taylor man 😭
— ESSPEE #CelticOut (@sp_spiers_02) January 20, 2021