The Europa League journey of Greg Taylor could be made into a film one day. It just needs a happy ending.
The full-back is set to make his European debut for Celtic in tonight’s clash against Rennes, after Neil Lennon confirmed as much in his usual pre-match presser.
The game is a biggie for the Scotland international, but it’s not his first taste of Europa League football this season. Many may forget that his former side Kilmarnock were even in the competition. But in it they were. Briefly.
The Ayrshire side made headlines as they stunningly crashed out to Welsh outfit Connah’s Quay Nomads in one of the worst Scottish football results in history. Taylor played both legs of the fateful tie and even scored an own goal in Wales. It would have been a time to forget.
“You can’t dwell on the past,” he told the Evening Times yesterday. “I’d describe the Connah’s Quay matches as a freak two games. It took us by surprise. We didn’t give a good account of ourselves but it’s never easy when it’s so early in the season and there’s a new manager in as well.
“There’s no point mincing your words – it was frustrating and hugely disappointing. You work so hard over 38 games the previous season to get there so to not have a proper crack at it was so disappointing.”
Taylor could help us to Europa League history
Fast forward on four months and the defender has a shot at redemption in the tournament. He’s certain to be part of Lennon’s team for a clash that could see us make history.
No Celtic team has ever topped a group in European competition, nor have they taken more than ten points. Both of those records could be broken tonight and Taylor could make it all happen.
He must really be pinching himself that he’s gone from such a dramatic low to what could be an unbeatable tie. As I say, they could make a film about Greg Taylor’s Europa League journey one day. All it needs now is a happy ending. I hear Gdansk is lovely in May.
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