Brendan Rodgers spoke about Greg Taylor’s ongoing contract stalemate with Celtic at today’s Media Conference as the Celtic manager once again confirmed that he is keen to see the 27 year-old left-back remain at the club…
Greg Taylor and Callum McGregor
Greg Taylor and Callum McGregor with the Premier Sports Cup. Photo Kenny Ramsay
‘I really want him to stay’
“I think I’ve said it a number of times, he’s so important for our squad, Greg. Because when you want to build a squad, it’s never just about starters. It’s about the whole squad and you want to adapt to that. So he’s a player that I’ve really enjoyed working with so much on and off the pitch. And I’ve said it before and I repeat, I really want him to stay.
“So I’m hoping that between the club and his representatives, we can organise a deal. But I also understand he’s 27 now, this will be one of the last big contracts of his career. So he has to make sure that everything is right.
‘I love working with him’
“But what I do know is, I really want him to be here. I love working with him. I really enjoy the aspect of seeing him every day because he’s up for every training session. And for me, he’s really important for us,” Brendan said.
Greg Taylor in action
Greg Taylor in action during the Premier Sports Cup Final victory over theRangers at Hampden on 15 December 2024. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star
Taylor, who signed from Kilmarnock in 2019, has never been among the top earners at the club, despite being a regular starter and essentially the replacement for Kieran Tierney who had left for Arsenal in a £25m deal around the same time.
A revolving door moment?
It could be a potential revolving door moment and supporters might reckon that Brendan inadvertently gave something away today when he hinted that Taylor would be squad player rather than a starter going forward and it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to suggest that’s because Rodgers fancies a re-union with Kieran Tierney.
Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on December 18, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
The news this week that Arsenal will NOT take up their year option on KT’s lucrative deal means that he is free to talk to clubs in January and you would imagine that the Premier League club would like him off the wage bill as soon as possible.
The Celtic manager was also asked about a return to Celtic for Tierney at today’s media conference.
‘We’ll always be linked with top players’
“We’ll always be linked with top players and especially players that are one of us. Kieran was an instrumental part of a really, really successful period when I was here. And his talents then took him on to another challenge in the Premier League. So, yeah, we’ll be linked with lots of names.
“Kieran, obviously, naturally because of his situation. But for us, we’ll only ever tell you when we sign a player, once he’s signed.”
Michael Nicholson
Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Celtic, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Dermot Desmond hosted Transfer Window meeting in Dublin
Brendan also discussed what he’s been up to this week and that included heading to Dublin win Michael Nicholson, Chris McKay and staff to meet with Celtic’s biggest shareholder Dermot Desmond to discuss the January transfer window. It’s not a stretch to surmise that KT’s name would have cropped up in those conversations.
Dermot Desmond
Dermot Desmond is seen prior to the Celtic vs St Mirren Cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on May 20, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The Celtic manager said: “On Tuesday, I flew to Dublin to have a meeting with Dermot, me and Michael and Chris and staff. Just talking about January and what we normally do. Then I got back from that and I watched the B team final. Then obviously back into work. So for the manager and the coaches, we’re always looking forward.”
Watch Brendan Rodgers media conference from earlier today below…
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