Report: Celtic will sign Greg Taylor 'over the next few days'

By John McGinley

August 25, 2019

Greg Taylor is set to become Celtic’s latest summer signing over the next few days, according to The Evening Times.

The paper say that the official reason for him missing yesterday’s Kilmarnock game was injury. However, they reckon he has in fact played his last game for the Ayrshire outfit.

The report states that the Hoops will pay Killie a fee close to £3m for his services.

Kilmarnock manager Angelo Alessio continued to insist as recently as Saturday evening that Celtic’s interest was just speculation.

As quoted by The Evening Times, he said: “At the moment it’s only rumours.

“I don’t think the club has received any offers from Celtic. We have spoken to the club and the owner and we want to keep our best players.”

Is Greg Taylor to Celtic a good signing?

Taylor has emerged as one of the brightest defensive prospects in the league over the last 18 months. His form under Steve Clarke was a key part of the Rugby Park’s side rise to a third place finish last season.

In total, he’s played 131 times for the club (Transfermarkt).

His progress culminated in him being called up to the Scotland squad in place of an injured Kieran Tierney. He subsequently won his first international cap against Belgium in June.

He isn’t the finished product but at 21 has significant potential. At the very least he will provide depth and competition at left-back if he does sign.

(Photo by Frank Abbeloos/Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images)

Boli Bolingoli has also been acquired during the transfer window. While he looks exciting going forward, his defensive frailty has been apparent in recent weeks.

Taylor is a player who knows the league inside out. He has proven he can be a stand-out domestically. His suitability for European football is something that can be worked on.

As left-back signings go, it’s certainly not the worst. Hopefully he proves to be a player who can solve a real positional problem for us.