Brendan Rodgers has revealed he learned of Greg Taylor’s decision to leave Celtic via a phone call from the player himself.
Taylor, whose contract expired at the end of last season, opted for a move to Greek side PAOK despite Rodgers’ desire to keep him at the club.
The 27-year-old ended a six-year stint at Parkhead, where he became a consistent presence in the starting XI and helped the Hoops to five league titles, three Scottish Cups, and three League Cups.
Speaking to Celtic TV, Rodgers praised Taylor’s contribution both on and off the pitch: “He rang me to tell me what his final decision was going to be. I’ve made it clear all the way along, I’d love to have kept Greg. A brilliant servant, a brilliant player for the club, but also a really good guy off the pitch. Really well-loved in the changing room, and he played for us really big on the pitch.”
Taylor’s exit comes as Celtic welcome back Kieran Tierney, the very man he was signed to replace in 2019. The Scotland international returns to Celtic following the expiry of his Arsenal contract, and he is expected to play a major role in the upcoming campaign.
The club will need to dive into the market for another left-back, though. Kieran Tierney is the only senior player who plays the position, and with his injury record, that could be a recipe for disaster.
While Taylor heads for a new challenge in Thessaloniki, he leaves with the full backing of the manager and club, and a track record as one of the key contributors during a dominant era for the Scottish champions.
