Greg Taylor’s summer departure from Celtic has split opinion.
Supporters were already aware that Kieran Tierney was making his Celtic return to reunite with Brendan Rodgers, providing a hypothetical replacement for Taylor – but some felt that the two could have contributed together.
The signing of Marcelo Saracchi from Boca Juniors will see the Uruguayan take the place as Tierney’s backup, but the jury is out for the defender who hasn’t played a great deal of football in recent years.
Taylor isn’t playing a great deal of football either, in fairness – his move to Greek side PAOK has seen him benched by former Chelsea man Baba Rahman so far.
But whilst acknowledging his differences to Tierney, one of Taylor’s former teammates has said that the nature of his departure, and the fan reaction, disappointed him.
Celtic fans felt they could do better than Greg Taylor says Stephen O’Donnell
Stephen O’Donnell, along with Taylor, was in the Kilmarnock team under Steve Clarke which made a habit out of giving Celtic some unpleasant visits to Rugby Park.
Knowing the left-back well, O’Donnell had some interesting comments to make on his departure on Clyde Superscoreboard.
He said: “I felt from outside that Celtic fans always felt like they could do better. It was ‘Greg Taylor from Kilmarnock.’ ‘He’s not a Celtic player.’
“He had qualities that, a lot of the time, were taken for granted – by maybe the board, but certainly the fans. So the fans need to accept a bit of responsibility for that one as well.
“He brought a style of football, along with the manager Postecoglou, coming inside as an inverted full-back, and he suited it comfortably.”
Taylor was undoubtedly a valuable member of the squad under Rodgers and Postecoglou and always split opinion among fans, but to suggest that they played a role in his departure is certainly questionable.
Will Kieran Tierney allow Celtic to move on from Greg Taylor?
Kieran Tierney’s fitness issues have raised concern among Celtic fans since his move back to Celtic Park, with the defender unable to complete 90 minutes so far.
There are also questions over the tactical transition. The role Taylor had which O’Donnell mentions was one unique for a full-back, with the departed defender often forming a double-pivot with Callum McGregor in possession.
Tierney’s strengths offer something different. Blessed with explosive acceleration and a sharp delivery, the academy hero’s ability to create chances was well-evidenced in his excellent assist for Benjamin Nygren against Aberdeen.
With Taylor having achieved almost everything he could in his Celtic career, fans will be hoping to move on from his time at the club – regardless of whether they were somehow responsible for his departure.