Underrated Celtic leader could have a big role to play in McGregor’s absence

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Following Callum McGregor’s huge injury blow last week, one of the questions on Celtic fan’s lips became, who will become captain of the side?

The obvious choice seemed to be Celtic number one, Joe Hart, who has regularly taken the armband in the midfielder’s absence.

However, it was Cameron Carter-Vickers who skippered the side and has led the Bhoys out in the last two games.

Although Carter-Vickers currently has the armband, there is still plenty of room in the Celtic side for natural leaders who will contribute in a crucial way.

The perfect example of that sort of player is Hart, who has been leading alongside McGregor ever since the academy graduate was named club captain.

However, from the outside looking in, there appears to be another name within the Celtic Park dressing room who is leading by example on the pitch and taking up small captaincy roles.

That man is Celtic left-back Greg Taylor.

Greg Taylor stepping up in the absence of huge Celtic figure Callum McGregor.

The Scotland international has enjoyed an incredible few months and is now one of the most consistent performers in Ange Postecoglou’s team.

Alongside the likes of Callum McGregor and David Turnbull, the defender is one of the last-standing players to the previous management eras and has adapted brilliantly to a new role under the 57-year-old.

Not only has he taken up a new role on the pitch, but there are some signs that he is also taking up a crucial leadership role at Parkhead.

On a regular basis, supporters watch fans go into the huddle before a match and see McGregor roaring instructions to his teammates.

Whilst I am sure McGregor is still doing precisely that behind the scenes, his absence has been felt in that regard during the last few games.

You would expect with Carter-Vickers wearing the armband, he would be the man to step up and provide the crucial instructions, and I’m sure he did in his own way.

However, one eagle-eyed supporter on social media caught close footage of the pre-match huddle ahead of Tuesday’s game against RB Leipzig, and it looks as though Taylor was the man yelling out the instructions.

In recent weeks, we have also seen the left-back take up a large share of the responsibilities in front of the media, including speaking to the press and 67 Hail Hail following the Leipzig defeat.

In my personal opinion, that is once again signs of Taylor’s leadership skills, taking that responsibility go and discuss the side’s performance.

And it may seem like such a minuscule action. But, it goes to show how Taylor has developed into a big character within the Celtic Park and Lennoxtown dressing room.

The defender’s recent performances have also seen him lead by example on the park as supporters continue to be left impressed by what they have seen.

Whilst he might not be wearing the armband at this moment in time, Taylor could prove to be a big player for the side in McGregor’s absence as we go through a crucial period of games without our influential midfielder.

In other news, Kyogo Furuhashi’s football mentor discusses Celtic star’s brilliant rise (67hailhail.com)