Size doesn’t matter, says Killie kid
GREG TAYLOR is hoping to make a big impression when Kilmarnock entertain Rangers on Friday night.
The 18-year-old was shown the door by the Ibrox club because he was too small.
Being told he wouldn’t make it when he was only 14 was a bitter blow for the Greenock-born left back.
It might have crushed some youngsters’ spirit, but it just made Taylor determined to prove Rangers wrong.
He has done that by becoming a Killie first-team player with a freshly-signed three-year contract in his pocket.
He said: “I was at Rangers for six years and had some brilliant times with them, but I was released for being too small. “At the time I was gutted. “I thought football had moved on from just being about size.
“Spain were doing so well and Lionel Messi – probably the best player ever – is only 5ft 7in tall.
“It seemed a bit ironic that I was being rejected because of my size.
“I didn’t think it mattered, but obviously that’s not the case in some people’s eyes.
“What we do with our feet is more important than what size we are.
“Fortunately, Kilmarnock youth coach Alan Robertson saw there was more to me than just my height.
“I had a point to prove and I could see the way Alan has helped players like Rory McKenzie make it from the Under-17s through to the first-team.
“That convinced me to join the club.
“We have a few smaller players who have proved themselves here.
“As long as you’re good with the ball, height doesn’t matter.”
Taylor, who has shown his versatility by starting the season at right-back, is excited at the prospect of facing Rangers.
He went on: “I’m looking forward to it and hoping we get a positive result.
“Playing in the second-leg of last season’s relegation play-off against Falkirk was massive for me.
“It’s great to be involved in matches with big crowds and even better when you win.”