Now even Andy Robertson is telling Greg that he is Taylor made for Celtic
THE joy of text only heightened the satisfaction Greg Taylor derived from his best performance in a Celtic jersey yet.
In the aftermath of Wednesday’s 5-0 thrashing of Hearts, the first message came from Scotland team-mate and boyhood Celtic fan Andrew Robertson.
The second was sent by Taylor to his 18-year-old brother Ally, an unused substitute for Kilmarnock as the Rugby Park side inflicted a hugely damaging defeat on title contenders Rangers the same evening.
‘Andy actually texted me just after we beat Hearts to congratulate me,’ revealed the left-back.
‘I have a good relationship with him — he’s a top player and a good lad as well. What a career he’s having.
‘I also texted my wee brother because I knew he was on the bench at Rugby Park. I just said: “Well done” because I was hoping he had got on — but he was pleased because it was a good result for Killie in their bid to get into the top six.
‘He’s buzzing about being involved with the first team because this is only his second full season there. He plays in central midfield and he’s a good player — he just needs to take his chance when it comes along.’
Pleasure at the progress of a sibling was double-edged. For the Celtic players, the significance of Kilmarnock’s 2-1 win stretched far beyond any interest in the Ayrshire side’s top-six chances.
A late winner from Eamonn Brophy prompted loud roars at Parkhead as news spread of a ten-point lead at the summit of the Premiership.
‘Obviously, it was a good win for us as well,’ laughed Taylor. ‘And we played really well, particularly in the second half. We just have to keep it going now.’
A £2.2million signing from Killie in August, the 22-year-old has taken time to find his feet at Parkhead.
Locked in a battle for first-team football with Boli Bolingoli and Jonny Hayes, Taylor always looked the more natural defender.
The challenge lay in improving his attacking play, a message taken on board to the extent that Neil Lennon described his performance against Hearts as ‘immense’.
‘It’s good when your gaffer says nice things about you,’ admitted the Scotland international. ‘It’s better than abuse.
‘Getting another couple of assists was helpful for me as well because people, mainly in the media, have been questioning my attacking play: “Can he do it or not?”
‘But what I want to be doing in that wing-back role is creating goals while keeping the door shut at the other end.
‘I wouldn’t say that this is a new side to the way I play. It’s just that you get more of the ball playing for a club of this size.
‘We tend to dominate possession and you’re under the spotlight because you’re on the ball more often. I’m well aware that I came here from Kilmarnock, which is a more defensive team, and I knew that I had improvements to make to both the attacking and defensive aspects of my game.
‘That’s why I stay behind every day to work on, for example, crossing drills. It’s all about repetition and, thankfully, there have been a few assists since I came back into the side.
‘There are still many improvements to be made but, if I continue working hard on the training ground and keep getting games, then I’m hoping to keep showing what I can do.
‘John Kennedy does video analysis with me on my own performances to see what I’ve done well and what could be done differently.
‘If there’s a game on, then I’ll watch players who might be direct opponents or, if it’s an English match, I’ll concentrate on the individuals who play in my position, although not too intensely.’
By a helpful coincidence, one of the best left-backs on the planet happens to be an international colleague and friend. And available on the end of a phone for advice at any time. ‘The two at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, are obvious ones to look at,’ he said. ‘The number of goals they create is just ridiculous. They’re good examples for me. ‘Andy has his own aspirations for this season but, hopefully, we’ll get together with Scotland in March and have a good chat.’ With Kieran Tierney continuing to struggle for fitness at Arsenal, a run of first-team games looks certain to earn Taylor a Scotland call-up from his former Killie boss
Steve Clarke for the Euro 2020 play-off with Israel next month.
‘That’s what my focus is on right now and, hopefully, I’ll be involved next month.’
Sometimes, of course, focus deviates from football to more important matters.
Despite his fortunes improving on the pitch, football has been placed in perspective for Taylor this week by the fight for life of his agent Jackie McNamara.
The former Celtic and Scotland full-back collapsed in his garden in York last weekend and was transferred to a hospital in Hull for surgery to address a bleed on the brain.
‘I wouldn’t describe Jackie as an agent because he’s more of a mentor and someone I would speak with most days,’ revealed Taylor.
‘He’s had a massive influence on my career, especially since he was also a full-back who played at the highest level.
‘Jackie has always been there just to chat to, and not necessarily about football. He’s given me wee pointers after games.
‘He understands the pressures and expectations at this massive club and that’s helped me, too.
‘He’s constantly in my thoughts at the moment and I hope he makes a full recovery.
‘It was great to see the tribute he received from our fans on Wednesday night — he’s a Celtic legend and they appreciate what he did for the club.’