We Need to Talk About Greg Taylor

There’s a familiar irony in football: a player’s true worth is often only recognised once he’s gone. Greg Taylor might just be the next name on that list at Celtic.

With Kieran Tierney confirmed to be rejoining the club in the summer on a free transfer from Arsenal, Taylor’s time at Celtic is winding down. It’s the kind of signing that excites fans—the return of a prodigal son, a genuine top-class left-back who, on paper, represents an upgrade. But football is never that simple, is it?

Because while Tierney’s talent is undeniable, his injury record is a concern. And while Taylor doesn’t have the same natural ability, he’s been a reliable, consistent presence in a Celtic side that has won trophies and played some excellent football. Four league titles, three Scottish Cups, and three League Cups—this is not the record of a player who has simply “made up the numbers.” This is the record of a man who has been a foundation of success, adapting to different managers, different systems, and different expectations, all while being questioned every step of the way.

The critics have been loud. Some never truly forgave him for not being Kieran Tierney, as if that was ever his crime to begin with. Others see his limitations— see him as not always the most dynamic of players—and decide that he simply isn’t good enough for a side with Celtic’s ambitions. Yes, he has an error in him, like most of our squad, but there appears to be a hierarchy when it comes to criticism.