Jeffrey Schlupp reckoned that all the Bayern Munich attacks were coming down his side in the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night as Vincent Kompany looked for more joy targeting the left had side of the Celtic defence…
Bayern targeted the left hand side of the Celtic defence in both ties
The Bayern head coach perhaps was clearly expecting Greg Taylor to be playing but Brendan Rodgers was clearly alert to the threat and opted to start the 32 year old loan signing from Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day earlier this month.
Schlupp was outstanding – even with being thrown in at the deep end against Bayern Munich in their own stadium – and there is no doubt that he contributed hugely to the Celtic performance that kept the Bundesliga leaders at bay until the 94th minute.
Brendan has a decision to make about his second left back
There’s a side issue that should be mentioned. We have reported previously Brendan Rodgers’ remarks about Celtic signing Kieran Tierney being a problem for Greg Taylor, who figures he has done more than enough to be the first pick left back at the club and isn’t it seems prepared to sign on to play second fiddle to Tierney.
The Celtic manager just week or so ago pointed out that he needs two quality players for the position and obviously one is going to be the player returning to the club after playing for Arsenal since 2019. Brendan has offered the second spot to Greg Taylor but there has been no agreement on this.
Schlupp is more than capable at Champions League level
Tuesday night showed us all that Schlupp – who is a free agent himself this summer – is more than capable of playing well at the highest level Celtic has reached in over a decade, in knock-out football post group stages in the Champions League.
And harsh as it may be Greg Taylor has shown that he probably isn’t suited to that level due to his physique which is always going to be targeted by elite managers like Vincent Kompany and others before him.
A reality check for Greg Taylor
That in itself should be a reality check for Greg Taylor to understand this harsh reality himself and to perhaps reconsider the offer that Brendan Rodgers has repeatedly talked to him about. Should a deal be struck then he’s less likely to be playing against the top sides in the Champions League but could play a significant number of matches as the manager has stated. Most of these would be in domestic football where his size and physique aren’t tested or punished as is the case in the Champions League.
A viable alternative has emerged in Jeffrey Schlupp, a player Brendan, as he explained today, tried to sign last summer, presumably before having to opt for Alex Valle from Barcelona. Valle’s deal ended early to allow Jeffrey Schlupp to come in but only after Arsenal had frustrated Celtic’s efforts to get KT up the road on loan.
A fluid situation for Brendan Rodgers
So it a fluid situation for Brendan Rodgers at left back, Bernabei has been sold, Valle send back to Barcelona and thereafter on to Como, KT has to wait until the summer to get back home to Celtic and Greg Taylor, while playing hard to get, might just find himself with no Celtic offer at all if a deal can be done for Schlupp to remain this summer.
Brendan Rodgers was far from dismissing that as an option this afternoon at his own media conference earlier today. The Celtic manager talks about the need to strengthen the squad to make us competitive in Europe and adding not one but two high quality left-backs, both with loads of experience in the Premier League, certainly ticks all the boxes.
Greg Taylor has been a fine servant for Celtic and can be justifiably proud of what he has achieved wearing the Hoops. But as Celtic aspire to becoming a seasoned club in the latter stages of the Champions League, that seems beyond him. That harsh reality could shape Celtic’s thinking in the weeks and months ahead.
Celtic won’t sign both players, KT is already a done deal so it’s either Taylor of Schlupp and it certainly now looks like being the latter. Time will tell.
READ THIS…“It’s exceeded my expectations,” Schlupp’s loving playing for Celtic
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