Greg Taylor was one of many players to leave Celtic this summer.
With Taylor’s situation, Celtic, Brendan Rodgers and the supporters saw it coming because his contract was running down and it was obvious what call he was going to make.
But what followed was an abject 2025 summer transfer window, which led to Celtic crashing out of the Champions League, fan protests, as well as Rodgers expressing his frustration.
It’s pretty clear where those paying their tickets stand, as well as the Celtic manager, and Taylor was asked how it helps or hinders those in the dressing room.
Greg Taylor on Celtic’s pretty poor 2025 summer transfer window
Speaking on Premier Sports, Taylor joked that every time a player was coming in during the summer, they always seemed to be left-backs.
In truth, he isn’t wrong because Celtic did go through a whole host of left-sided fullbacks, yet none of them could dethrone Taylor from his main role.
But Taylor explained, by using Jota, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Giorgos Giakoumakis as examples of positive signings that can lift a dressing room.
Michael Stewart: “I can think at the top of my head, when Ange first came in, that first year, where it was a big turnover of players.
“But almost every one of them came in, they were a starter, and they made a huge impact on the team. How much does that help you, that are there?
“Then conversely, the other side of what has happened this summer. It hasn’t happened quickly. How does that affect the players that are already at the club?”
Taylor: “Personally, there always seem to be left-backs coming in. That didn’t seem to be an issue. There was always competition, certainly for me.
“Primarily, I focus on me, and trying to make sure I kept the jersey or got the jersey. Or whatever situation it was.
“On players coming in, obviously, good players help. I remember that window on the last day we signed Jota, Giakoumakis and Cameron (Carter-Vickers). That really helped us kick on at that point in time. The three of them made massive impacts.
“Of course, you want signings to do that. You want them to make massive impacts. You know yourself; you instantly judge players the first few times they are training. That’s natural.
“That will be happening to me at PAOK. It will be happening at Celtic. It will be happening at Hearts, so boys will be eager to try to impress their teammates, never mind the manager and the fans.”
Who has made a positive impact this summer?
The other issue with what Celtic have done this summer is the whole timing of players coming in, and how it occurred after the Champions League qualifiers.
Added to that, it’s who is coming in, and whether Rodgers wants them or not, because, judging by how some of them have been treated, the clear answer is that he didn’t want them signed.
But two players have certainly made positive impacts from this summer’s window – Marcelo Saracchi and Sebastian Tounekti.
You could probably throw Kelechi Iheanacho’s name into that hat also.
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