The problem with selling the best left-back many of the Celtic support will have seen in their lifetime’s following Celtic, is that those who follow have big boots to fill – and unfair comparisons are inevitable.
That’s been the story for a few players who have filled the left back berth vacated by Kieran Tierney when he headed south to Arsenal in a £25m deal in the summer of 2019. Jonny Hayes, Boli Bolingoli and more recently Liam Scales have all tried to fill that void, but perhaps the one who has really kicked on, seen off much competition, and claimed the left back slot for himself is Greg Taylor.
Of course, Taylor himself has taken a fair bit of stick from the stands, but much of that has evaporated as Taylor has fully embraced the inverted full back approach of manager Ange Postecoglou – and in turn has changed more than a few opinions on his importance to the Celtic team.
And Tierney himself, as reported in Scottish Sun, is aware of the comparisons being made between himself and Taylor, and believes our current left-back brings attributes to the Celtic team he didn’t, and admits to being greatly impressed by Taylor’s consistency.
“Greg has got qualities I don’t have. I know people compare him with me at Celtic. But no player should be compared with another. It’s unfair. Everyone’s got different qualities. His consistency for Celtic has been unbelievable.”
Tierney also took time out to acknowledge the breakthrough season Tony Ralston has had on the opposite side of the pitch to Greg Taylor and puts Ralston’s proving of almost everyone wrong down to the desire of the player to make the grade at Celtic, even if a few loan deals away from the club initially made it appear Ralston’s time was up.
“Tony’s been brilliant and I’m delighted for him. He’s another ex-Celtic team-mate and I know how hard he works for what he gets. Tony’s been on a few loan spells but has never given up on making it at Celtic.”
Ralston is of course in the Scotland squad following a much deserved – and somewhat overdue – inclusion in Steve Clark’s group for tomorrow night’s play off with Ukraine at Hampden.
Ralston joins Celtic captain Callum McGregor is that Scotland squad for that crucial game, and Tierney is delighted his former teammate is now club captain and feels a League and Cup double shows Celtic made the perfect choice in appointing McGregor as Scott Brown’s successor.
“I speak to Callum regularly. I’m so happy for him and how his career’s going. He was a natural fit for Celtic captain and the title success has underlined how good a leader he is. He’s a top player and an even better guy.”
Niall J
GET YOUR INVINCIBLE AND TWICE AS GOOD T-SHIRTS NOW FREE WITH MATT CORR’S BRILLIANT CELTIC BOOKS
You want one of these? It’s completely FREE when you purchase INVINCIBLE or TWICE AS GOOD* from Celtic Star Books website, just click on the relevant link below to order your copy and when you do select the BOOK you want then add the T-SHIRT SIZE you require from Small, large, XL or XXL, adding that after your name so we’ll know which size to send you…(please note that all medium Invincible t-shirts are now sold out).
*£1 from every copy of Twice as Good will be donated to Marie Curie in memory of Harry Hood and in line with the wishes of the Hood family.
Order Invincible here…
And order Harry Hood – Twice as Good here…
