TAYLOR WANTS TO DELIVER FOR SCOTLAND NEXT
GREG TAYLOR will be ready to go again. Earning a place in Celtic history has granted only brief time for celebration and reflection before he launches himself into Scotland duty. Much of his brief time off will be spent checking on the venue for his future wedding. After that, Taylor will embrace the union of Steve Clarke’s squad as a place at Euro 2024 continues to be pursued in this month’s qualifiers against Norway and Georgia. The left-back wouldn’t have it any other way. Shrugging off any thought of fatigue at the end of a Treble-winning season in which he made 43 appearances, he will relish the opportunity to add to his ten senior caps. ‘It’s just the life of a footballer,’ said Taylor, who is joined in the Scotland squad by Celtic team-mates Callum McGregor and Anthony Ralston. ‘Certainly, (for) boys who play international football, you know you are only ever one game away and the next one is the biggest. ‘That’s been the attitude for us at the club as a group of players. And that’s the mentality I am sure every one of the international players have because, as soon as you go away and represent your country, there is no prouder honour than that. We will be ready.’ Scotland begin their preparations with a training camp in Spain this week. The build-up then continues on home soil ahead of the trip to meet Norway a week on Saturday. Clarke’s men top Group A after wins over Cyprus and Spain. Having been absent from the squad for those matches, Taylor is all the more motivated to play a part in helping the national side make it to Germany next summer. ‘Definitely,’ he said. ‘I missed the first two with injury, unfortunately, so I am delighted to be back involved. ‘I went and watched the Spain game. The boys were unbelievable. What a performance. We gave ourselves a great start in the group and something to build on. ‘The size of the games makes a difference, of course. They are not difficult games to motivate yourself for, you know what’s at stake at the end of that — the chance to go and represent your country at a major tournament. We were lucky enough to do that once and we want to do it again.’
Taylor helped Celtic complete a record eighth Treble — and the club’s fifth in the past seven seasons — with a 3-1 victory over Inverness in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday. The celebrations back at Parkhead were followed by a more personal commitment. ‘Well, I have four days when I can go and see my wedding venue for next year,’ smiled Taylor, speaking post-match on Saturday. ‘I will be doing that first. I will try and get a quick re-charge of the batteries and then right into the national team.’ Asked where the venue was, he replied: ‘I can’t tell you! I don’t want any of you lot lurking about! No comment. ‘We have just done something unbelievable as a group and as a collective. So we will enjoy that. ‘As I have touched on, I will get away for two or three days and then head right back into the prep for the international games.’ While his focus will soon switch to Scotland, Taylor fully appreciates the scale of Celtic’s achievement this season. ‘History-makers, what a group of players,’ he grinned. ‘Staff, fans, everyone’s played their part, so it was a real historic season. ‘It is crazy. Some players go their whole careers without the chance to win one trophy, so for us to win three in one season is hard to describe in words. ‘It’s not just about the players, it is not just about the coaching staff or just about the manager. ‘Everyone has genuinely played a part in that changing room so I hope everyone knows that and can appreciate it.’ Celtic were massive favourites to see off Championship outfit Inverness, but that didn’t stop Taylor feeling the tension as the Treble moved firmly into view. ‘Me and Matty (O’Riley) were talking about that on our walk,’ he said. ‘There’s only been a couple of games in my career I have gone into and not been nervous and they are the ones you feel most worried about, when you don’t have that. ‘This one was no different — just every bit as nervous and recognising the pressure at this club, the pressure of the badge and trying to bring success to the supporters.’