Brendan Rodgers has all but confirmed Greg Taylor is set to leave Celtic at the end of the season, with the left-back slipping down the pecking order in recent weeks.

Taylor was an unused substitute during Saturday’s 3-0 win over Hearts, as Jeffrey Schlupp once again got the nod in the starting XI.

The Scotland international, who joined from Kilmarnock in 2019, has been a steady presence in the Celtic backline for the last four years especially. However, with his contract running down and game time now limited, his future appears to lie away from Celtic Park.

Speaking after the victory over Hearts, Rodgers told CeltsAreHere: “I’ve been in the position so many times and I can read situations as well. It’s probably more that he’ll move on than stay, which is a big shame for me because he’s someone that I really, really like.

“I love him as a person but I love his game because I think his game is suited to how we work.”

Rodgers was clear that Taylor’s potential departure isn’t down to financial reasons, but rather his desire to be a first-team regular. “It’s not financial, it’s not anything but I respect his position because he’ll want to feel that he’s playing, playing every single week.

“Whoever is in next year with Kieran will still play a lot of games but my feeling is that he may well move on but I know between the end of the season he’ll give his all.”

Taylor has been a reliable figure for Celtic through several title-winning campaigns, but with the writing on the wall Rodgers is him less. Schlupp’s January loan arrival has pushed him further down the order, and the expected return of Kieran Tierney in the summer adds another layer of competition.

Taylor may feel now is the time to pursue a new challenge. While nothing is confirmed yet, all signs point to the end of the road for a player who has served the club with consistency and commitment.