Greg Taylor’s imminent return is welcome news and an observation about his left-back stand-in Alexandro Bernabei…
We received some welcoming news yesterday that Greg Taylor could be fit for the Scottish Cup tie at St Mirren this weekend, if not he will definitely be ready for the home league clash against Kilmarnock the following week.
Greg has always had his critics amongst our support, but I think even his fiercest critic would agree we’ve missed him in his absence. Much like Daizen Maeda, he’s one of those players you only fully appreciate when he’s not there, and Daizen could be back this evening at Easter Road as he’s now fully fit and good to go after training with his national side in Qatar over the past month while at the Asian Cup.
Greg Taylor, while not being the greatest player, always gives one hundred percent. He knows his job and does it without any fuss. He’s steady and he’s reliable and Celtic is a better outfit when he’s in the starting IX. The sort of player we need for the title run in and Greg is definitely one of those players, despite the criticism he regularly receives.
It’s no secret that many supporters also reckon that Alexandro Bernabei isn’t good enough or that Brendan Rodgers doesn’t rate him….maybe we should amend that last statement slightly to this…
It’s no secret that many supporters also reckon that Alexandro Bernabei isn’t good enough AS A LEFT BACK or that Brendan Rodgers doesn’t rate him DEFENSIVELY.
Could the problem with the Argentinian be that he is not at all suited to being a left back and would be better placed playing as a midfielder or even a left winger? He was decent at Pittodrie in the first half on Saturday – better than Luis Palma or Liel Abada but was found wanting defensively so was taken off.
And remember Bernabei has played precious little football this season before being thrown into the team only because Taylor got injured and the club failed to since a new left back in the January transfer window, with Owen Beck and almost certainly another target failing to get across the line.
Surely Brendan sees a player in Bernabei but not as a left back? Last night James French posted an article on The Celtic Star which shows the disconnect between our forward players this season. Put simply the wingers are failing to create enough assists, it’s a sobering read and the link is below.
READ THIS…Celtic’s ever changing attack under Brendan Rodgers
Having Greg back at the weekend will give us that extra stability at the back, especially with Cameron Carter Vickers still absent for a few more weeks. But this evening we’re likely to see Alexandro Bernabei at left back, looking decent offensively but weaker as a defender and Hibs will try to target him as a vulnerable spot in Celtic’s back line.
We need our strongest players available for the run in, and Greg Taylor is one of them, whether some like to admit it or not. But we shouldn’t dismiss the prospect of Alexandro Bernabei moving further up the park where he can make an impact at Celtic. One thing is clear that’s not going to happen as a left back.
READ THIS…Hibs v Celtic – Team news, match officials, KO time and where to watch
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Brendan has to chop and change his team in the last 2 months he can’t put a settled side out sevco ain’t improving.Celtic have dropped there momentum we have had important players in important positions our bench players aren’t up to it our pressing is poor cause the players we have had to play hold back if one player dosent go in to win the tackle whole heartly Celtic are losing out on 50/50 that’s what noticeably Brendan says last match interview not aggressive enough in the press that’s in my words is not man enough need won those tackles your wearing the hoops we always play passing football but it’s winning ball back is our problem if you have a booking can’t do but that is out of our control need to fet stuck in maeda back is great brown led by example McGregor more a forward man but he gets stuck in just not got the ball winning qualities personally if I see a player losing 50/50 by pulling back he be dropped to the next game James forrest mikey johnston are two players that are not the heart for a tackle and supporters seen that
Absolutely. He’s fast, got a great left foot, crosses the ball well and creative.
Always wondered why he chose left back because he’s never a defender. Give him a chance up front.