Greg Taylor has said that he is ready to fight to retain his Scotland spot, with Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney out of the side through injuries. The 22-year-old left-back is also keen on gaining the starting berth at Celtic, despite his slow start to life in Glasgow.
The ex-Killie player assisted John McGinn’s winner in Cyprus on Saturday but insisted that his one appearance for Celtic since joining hasn’t hampered his sharpness as he looks to keep the spot for the match versus Kazakhstan and beyond.
As reported in The Scottish Sun, Taylor insisted that he is keen to take his chance and impress.
“These two games are important. Obviously there have been a few call-offs, which hasn’t been ideal, but it’s up to the boys that are out there to take their chance.”
Liverpool’s Robertson and Arsenal’s Tierney would normally battle for the left-back gig for Scotland; however, their call-offs have allowed Taylor the chance to remind Clarke and Neil Lennon what he is capable of.
“I think I was probably just eager to impress.
“I keep a good base fitness, it’s important to do that regardless if you’re playing or not. I played against St Mirren a couple of weeks back, so it wasn’t all that long ago I played.
“Obviously it’s not been ideal not playing as much as I would have liked, but you have just got to be patient. It’s a massive club I’m at. And I enjoyed my 90 minutes.
Taylor has played just once for Celtic since joining from Kilmarnock but with Bolingoli’s form and the versatility of Jonny Hayes – who has impressed when called upon, Taylor has been left on the fringes of the squad.
Taylor was happy with how the game went, despite conceding early in the second half. The Scots refused to give up as Cyprus grew in the game and Taylor, who spent more times defending than attacking, popped up at the other end to provide a vital assist.
“It was a tough game, a battling second half certainly. I thought first half we had a decent bit of control in the game, but certainly Cyprus grew into it in the second half.
“It was frustrating to lose the goal, it was a hell of a finish from the boy. But to go on and create for John, it’s a great finish from John as well, and for that to be the winning goal for us was nice.”
Taylor’s Celtic team-mates, James Forrest dragged two players with him before popping the ball off to the left-back who’s cross was met on the half-volley by McGinn.
Taylor will be hoping to retain the spot in Tuesday’s game versus Kazakhstan at Hampden on Tuesday.
