Greg Taylor has been handed an early boost at his new club, with PAOK manager Razvan Lucescu hailing the former Celtic defender as a “super player” following his debut for the Greek side.
The left-back ended a six-year spell at Celtic by signing for PAOK, departing with 11 major honours to his name, including three league titles and five domestic cups. His move marks the start of a new chapter abroad, and early signs suggest he’s already making a strong impression in Thessaloniki.
Taylor played in a 2-1 defeat to Ajax at the Dutch side’s academy ground, De Toekomst, with fellow former Celt Jonjoe Kenny also making his first appearance. Kenny, who had a loan stint at Celtic in 2021, joined PAOK from Hertha Berlin and was similarly praised for his display.
The comments from Lucescu offer Taylor a firm vote of confidence as he aims to settle into a new country. It’s a promising start for the 27-year-old as he looks to establish himself in a side that finished third in the Greek Super League last season.
He said: “Greg Taylor is just a super player and we also have Jonjoe Kenny, who showed a lot of intensity and energy.
“They both showed they will be very comfortable in our team and both already looked at home.
“Both of them have fitted in well to the team and I am happy with their preparations for our first game of the season.
“There is still a lot of work to be done to prepare, but I am very pleased with the way the players have adapted to their new club. They will be big players for us this season.”
Taylor leaves Celtic having established himself as a key player under multiple managers. He was a regular in Ange Postecoglou’s treble-winning side and played a steady role in Brendan Rodgers’ back-to-back domestic doubles. While he didn’t always grab the headlines, his consistency and work rate made him a trusted figure within Lennoxtown and a reliable presence in big matches.
His decision to move to Greece represents a bold step at an important stage of his career. Taylor has shown he can compete at the highest level in Scotland, and the early praise suggests he could thrive in a different footballing environment.
Celtic now face the task of strengthening the left-back position, with Kieran Tierney having returned and featured in the last two pre-season friendlies. The Hoops still need a reliable back-up in that area, especially with the demands of a long season ahead. Taylor’s departure may have come quietly, but those who watched him grow into the role won’t forget the impact he made.
As Taylor begins this new chapter at PAOK, many Celtic supporters will be keeping tabs on his progress. He leaves Glasgow with good memories, the respect of his teammates, and a haul of silverware to his name. Judging by his early showing in Greece, there’s still plenty more to come in his career.
