Celtic’s Left-Back Debate Intensifies as Rodgers Prepares Dens Park Trip

Celtic left-back Greg Taylor was a substitute in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Ross County in Dingwall, in an interesting decision by manager Brendan Rodgers.

With Taylor yet to sign a new deal and continually linked with a move away from the club, in a pre-contract agreement with his current deal expiring in the summer, Alex Valle started against Don Cowie’s side, impressing in yet another outing away from home.

Taylor did impress last Wednesday at Celtic Park against Dundee United.

However, Valle has been given consistent game time alongside the Scottish defender this season, with Taylor slightly ahead in the pecking order.

Alex Valle versus Rangers
15th December 2024; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland; Premier Sports Cup Football Final, Celtic versus Rangers; Alex Valle of Celtic under pressure from James Tavernier of Rangers

It will be interesting to see who Rodgers goes with tonight, with Kilmarnock at home in the Scottish Cup on Saturday at Celtic Park and Young Boys in the Champions League in 8 days.

The fixtures are coming thick and fast.

Rodgers previously sparked headlines after questioning the decision of some supporters to chant Kieran Tierney’s name during a match against St Mirren, believing it showed disrespect toward the Celtic left-back.

Kieran Tierney Brendan Rodgers
Soccer Football – Europa League – Celtic Training – Lennoxtown Training Centre, Glasgow, Britain – November 7, 2018 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Kieran Tierney during training Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Recently, the situation has cooled, although no conclusion has been reached regarding a potential pre-contract agreement or loan deal with Arsenal for Tierney.

Meanwhile, Taylor has yet to sign a contract with any club despite links to various teams, including Dinamo Zagreb, several MLS clubs, Trabzonspor, Espanyol, and English Championship sides Hull City and Queens Park Rangers.

Valle himself seems set to return to Barcelona in the summer after his loan deal expires, with no option to buy.

Head coach Hans Flick is also reportedly interested in bringing the Spanish defender back to the club for next season.

With so much uncertainty surrounding the left-back position at Celtic, supporters will be eager for any resolution in the coming month, as the current situation continues to leave questions unanswered.

 

 

 

 

 

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