Greg Taylor is well aware of the friendly but fierce competition within the Celtic squad for places but the player who is probably the most impressive improver under Ange Postecoglou reckons that it’s impossible to play every game in this intense style of football being played at the insistence of the Celtic manager.
“I don’t think you need a reminder,” Taylor said when discussing the excellent performance of Alexandro Bernabei in the 6-1 win over Hibs last weekend. Like Josip Juranovic, Taylor was back in the team on Wednesday night and both were just as impressive at the Argentinian summer signing and Anthony Ralston were against the Easter Road outfit.
“We’re all training to such a high standard. So, whether it’s Berna or whoever plays in any position, you know they are going to take their opportunity and Berna has done that when he’s come in,” Taylor said after the 4-0 League Cup quarter final win at Fir Park.
“He’s eager to learn as we all are. Whoever the manager selects for any game, they are going to give a top level performance.
“Everyone is hungry to play. When you get an opportunity, most boys at the moment are taking it.
‘We know it’s an intense period. I think we’ve got another seven games to go now [before the World Cup]so there’s going to be plenty of rotation and opportunities for boys to play.
“We’ve got a squad for that reason. Every player naturally wants to play in every game but that’s not possible – unless you are Cal! Taylor joked but of course Callum McGregor is currently sidelined, on the law of averages he was bound to pick up an injury sooner or later given the huge number of minutes he plays each and every season.
“We all want to play but equally we understand that there has to be rotation from time to time.”
On whether Taylor reckons he could do likewise given his impressive form and importance to the team, the Scotland international skipped the question beautifully. “Ask the manager!” he said.
“No, listen, I’m part of the team and I understand it. I want to play every game, I’m eager to play every game but probably realise that to keep a level of performance as a team, that’s not going to be possible, so I understand.”
The other night Ange joked that he doesn’t have too deal with complaints from players disappointed that they haven’t been named in the starting eleven because he puts up the team on the e board then bolts!
“When the manager puts the board up before the game, you are just keen and hoping that your name is on it,” Taylor said.
“Whoever is playing in whatever position, you just back he team that the gaffer selects because we know if we all have that attitude and work hard for each other then we’ll all reap the rewards and get the success together.”
Taylor was happy to be back in the grove at Fir Park and was pleased with how well Celtic handled what could have been a difficult fixture.
“It was a good performance,” Taylor said. “In the first half I felt we played some good stuff without getting the rewards.
“But we knew that Motherwell probably couldn’t keep up the intensity of the pressure they put us under in the first half. And we got the goals in the second.
“I probably don’t shoot enough, to be honest, but the gaffer is big on first time crosses. So as soon as I got in there, that’s what it was. I was just hoping that Liel could get in front of the defender, and he did.
“I could have done with a few more boys taking a few more chances over the past few weeks! Thankfully, Liel did that. But it’s not about me. It’s about a team performance and getting results to build something together and hopefully get success.
“Hampden will be another big occasion with a great travelling support, just like we had on Wednesday. It will be a good opportunity for us to try and get to another final.”
Liel Abada scored two, with Taylor laying the first on a plate but credit must go to the young Israeli star for his brilliant run and perfect timing getting himself into these goalscoring positions. In football terms that is a hugely impressive and much valued attribute.
“He’s been absolutely outstanding,” Taylor said. “It’s such a young age to have the numbers he’s got. It’s superb.
“There’s probably no better role model than James Forrest who he learns off every day.
“He’s been at the club for 14 years. To be at a club this size for that long takes some amount of commitment, but also some amount of ability, and James is a credit to himself. As is Liel.”
We’ve mentioned how well Celtic are positioned in the full back positions, well that’s also the case elsewhere in the team not least on the right wing where the two players in that position scored five goals in two games.
