You’ll never walkies alone
GREG TAYLOR is relieved the chilled-out Celtic squad spent the week relaxing while walking their dogs – as rivals Rangers let go of their lead.
The Hoops ace was snapped out with his beloved spaniel Bali a few days after team-mates Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers were out for a casual stroll, while Gers fans were left scooping up the mess after slip-ups at Ross County and Dundee.
Taylor caught up with old pal Ryan Christie and admits it was pleasant to get away from the Premiership pressure cooker along with his pooch.
But he’s now straining at the leash to get out at Hampden for today’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Aberdeen.
Taylor said: “It has been nice and relaxed. I managed to see Mr Christie for a catch-up and that was good.
“Alistair and Cameron were out too, the furry friends are always there for you – the tails are always wagging no matter the results!
“The dog walking is something I enjoy. It gets you away from it all but the focus is very much on the run-in.
“We’ve got five games to go in the league and a big semi-final to focus on first.
“It’s good to switch off a bit at times. You don’t want to get too focused on the game too early. You try to save the emotion for the day as you can tire yourself out with it too early.
“The work is the same and this week’s been normal in terms of preparations.
“We had a couple of days off at the start but since then we’ve been working hard and all the focus has been on Aberdeen and getting ready to go at Hampden.”
Taylor relished his timeout but it’s even more fun being in the thick of it for the league and cup prizes.
Boss Brendan Rodgers insists his club come alive at this time of year – and Taylor admits this is when they show their teeth. He said: “Yeah, this is the business end of the season, this is where everyone knows the trophies are handed out.
“Everyone needs to be perfect or near to perfect to be successful come the end, come May. So that starts against Aberdeen and then the league games after it.
“I actually do enjoy it. It’s really exciting, it’s what you want, to be fighting at the business end for trophies.
“Winning games, playing at Hampden, all these things are good pressures and ones as a footballer you have to embrace.”
Taylor is wary Aberdeen will have plenty of bite with his former Kilmarnock coach Peter Leven in charge until new gaffer Jimmy Thelin arrives.
He said: “I’m sure they will be enjoying working under him. I had him at Kilmarnock and he’s a very honest guy.
“He was massive. When I wasn’t quite in the first team and he was one of the first-team coaches under Lee Clark, he took a real interest in me and was willing to do extras.
“He could easily have been focused on other first-team players and I was only breaking through.
“He took a real keen interest in trying to develop me and I’ll always be really appreciative of it. He knows it.
“He’s been willing to go here, there and everywhere to try and find success in the game or find the right role for him and he seems to be enjoying it at Aberdeen.
“He’s the main man at the moment and hopefully he can continue there.”