THE GREG TAYLOR rumour continues to grow. The Scotland international left back was left out of today’s squad for the goals draw against Aberdeen amid increased speculation that his transfer to Celtic was imminent.
Taylor liked a tweet at the end of the week that suggested he was Parkhead bound and the Daily Record were quick to tell us that Billy Bowie was demanding £3million for his star defender, the logic being that he’s played for his country while Celtic were prepared to pay more for the Motherwell prospect David Turnbull.
Several Celtic fringe players have also been linked with a move to Rugby Park including Calvin Miller and Jack Hendry, the former in a permanent transfer and the latter as a loan deal.
This afternoon a Scotsman/ Evening News journalist was happy to provide an update on Twitter. Make of it what you will.
“Greg Taylor to Celtic from Kilmarnock should be done next week. GT left out of Killie squad today. Celtic negotiating hard, Killie want a deal worth £3m for the Scotland internationalist. Still some talking to be done but should go through before transfer deadline on 2 Sept,” Barry Anderson, the Football journalist at The Scotsman and Edinburgh News tweeted this afternoon.
Greg Taylor to Celtic from Kilmarnock should be done next week. GT left out of #Killie squad today. #Celtic negotiating hard, Killie want a deal worth £3m for the Scotland internationalist. Still some talking to be done but should go through before transfer deadline on 2 Sept.
— Barry Anderson (@BarryAnderson_) August 24, 2019
A Kilmarnock fan responded saying, “If Killie are looking for £3m do you know what Celtic have been offering? Hopefully Killie hold out and don’t sell on the cheap.”
Anderson replied: “They’ve discussed cash and a player swap. Think that’s still an option. Not sure of the exact amount Celtic want to pay as they’re still talking. Don’t see it being £3m given Celtic’s deal for Bolingoli was worth £3m. They won’t want to pay that for another left-back.”
They’ve discussed cash & a player swap. Think that’s still an option. Not sure of the exact amount Celtic want to pay as they’re still talking. Don’t see it being £3m given Celtic’s deal for Bolingoli was worth £3m. They won’t want to pay that for another left-back.
— Barry Anderson (@BarryAnderson_) August 24, 2019
A Celtic supporter then asked a rhetorical question. “Why didn’t Celtic sign him at the start of the window. Why are we always so unprepared for the European games.”
Why didn’t Celtic sign him at the start of the window. Why are we always so unprepared for the European games.
— Longshaw (@youhavingalaugh) August 24, 2019
Signing Taylor would make the imminent arrival of Rosenborg left-back Birger Meling seem unlikely. Rosenborg are still involved in the Champions League Play-offs but but lost 2-0 in Zagreb this week so face an uphill task. The outcome will be known this week though with Rosenborg likely to drop into the Europa League.
Without the Champions League, the Norwegian Champions would prefer to sell the player rather than allow him to run down his contract. Chris Sutton said on BT Sport last Friday evening that Celtic were close to completing a deal to sign Meling but his former teammate Neil Lennon later distanced himself from this Sutton claim.
So will it be Taylor or Meling? It looks like Taylor is the more likely at the moment and we’ve been telling you all summer that Celtic would end up shopping in Kilmarnock.
Either one would do for the support at the moment and if there is a chance to bring Victor Wanyama back then that surely is a no brainer? Our former No.67 told Fraser Forster to keep that historic number warm for him yesterday in an even bigger hint than Taylor merely liking a Tweet.
Wanyama is only 28 but is now surplus to requirements at Tottenham. He is currently in no rush to complete his proposed transfer to Brugge, apparently for a fee of around £9million.
Fraser Forster on his squad number:
“I picked it, yeah. But Victor was straight onto me after the game.
He’s on at me and saying keep my shirt warm for a bit!” pic.twitter.com/nRwRLTyjsb
— CelticBible (@CelticBible) August 24, 2019
Also on The Celtic Star…
Dunfermline’s Songbook, The Boyd Agenda, Lennon latest dig at Celtic support, ‘Racist and Sectarian’ Ibrox…see HERE.
Willie Maley v Jimmy McGrory. If you know the history – Celtic at birth, 50 & 100: Part 11 – August 1938…see HERE.
‘The Goals at Celtic Park have just become smaller – The Green Giant is Home!’…see HERE.
Tangled up in Blue – Stephen O’Donnell on how Rangers lost track of their Foundation Date…see HERE.
