Taylor’s pride at NHS work of his girlfriend

The Celtic full-back Greg Taylor has spoken of his girlfriend Laura Macfarlane’s dedication to her NHS nursing role as she and her colleagues operate on the frontline in the fight against the global coronavirus pandemic, writes Andrew Smith.

The pair have been together since their schooldays, with Greenock-raised Macfarlane becoming a qualified nurse in the past year.

As the 22-year-old left-back isolates at home during the nationwide lockdown he has been humbled by the willingness of his girlfriend and her fellow NHS workers to put personal safety aside to deal with an unprecedented crisis, which has placed a huge strain on health services and those within them.

“To be with someone who works in the NHS puts everything else into perspective,” said the Scotland international, who has joined with his Celtic team-mates in supportingthenhs#stayhomesavelives through a social media campaign with a video message for fans.

“The work they’re doing is incredible and we all have so much admiration and respect for the way they go about it.

“She’s been really busy. She works different shifts, they’re all 12-hour shifts, and she’ll normally do around four each week.

“It’s been tough for her and I couldn’t be more proud of her. It’s a really difficult time for all the NHS and we’re all extremely grateful for everything they do.”

Taylor recognises the best way to honour the sacrifices of NHS staff and careworkers is to “follow the advice and stay safe at the moment”.