Celtic’s Unsung Heroes – Greg Taylor praises central defensive partnership

Greg Taylor has been speaking about his admiration for Celtic’s frugal defensive partners Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt. The Hoops duo have been the best defensive partnership in the league this season, letting in just 18 goals in 30 SPFL matches – a far cry from the open door policy of last year.

IMAGO / PA Images – Carl Starfelt (left) and Livingston s Stephane Omeonga battle for the ball during the cinch Premiership match at the Tony Macaroni Arena, Sunday March 6, 2022.

Taylor praised the impressive form of the pair recently, stating that he believes his fellow defenders are one of the main reasons for the current Celtic side’s rich vein of form. Flung in at the beginning of a difficult rebuild, Carl Starfelt especially has taken time to adapt to the demands of Angeball, but has definitely turned around the negativity surrounding him. Carter-Vickers meanwhile, is viewed as a must-buy come the end of the season for his rugged displays at the heart of the Celtic rearguard, developing an understanding with goalkeeper Joe Hart too.

Taylor, as reported by Football Scotland, said: “I would agree they have been unsung heroes. The two guys at the back have been really good. Not only in our defending but in the build-up phase, they’ve helped us a lot. It’s not easy to play the way the manager wants but they have taken to it no problem.

“They have collected a lot of clean sheets and hopefully that can continue for the rest of the season. We didn’t have a shot against us in the games with Hibs and St Mirren and that says it all. You look at Cameron and Carl, with Joe as well. But I know they’d say it starts with the strikers and wingers. All season the defenders have been grateful to these guys as they give themselves to the team in every game.

He added: “They do a power of grafting and the manager has said if the front players can do that, they’ll reap the rewards with the goals and assists. It takes a lot of work so we are grateful to them.”

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It is unequivocal that the partnership forged between our two centre-backs has been paramount to the instant fightback that has taken place since Ange has come in. Last season the defence was like a sieve, losing goals left, right and centre. That has definitely changed. We look far more assured and comfortable these days – although we can be caught out at times with set-plays.

Furthermore, the addition of Joe Hart to the backline has solidified the central defensive partnership of Starfelt and Carter-Vickers. Joe has been nothing short of phenomenal since he arrived, particularly from a leading point of view. He has rallied the troops when required and also gives reassurance to the defence knowing he is there. The triangle at the heart of the Celtic defence could just be the overlooked detail that wrestles this League title back from our rivals.

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I'm a Garngad Bhoy through and through. My first ever Celtic game was a friendly against Italian side Parma at Celtic Park, in 2002. Currently a student of English Literature and Education at the University of Strathclyde for my sins. Favourite game would be a toss up between beating Manchester United with that Naka freekick, or the game against the Oldco when Hesselink scored in the dying seconds. I'm still convinced Cal Mac is wasted playing that far back.

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