Celtic TV grabbed a word with Greg Taylor after a convincing 4-1 victory over Portimonense in the Algarve today on the Hoops’ pre-season training camp, and the Scotland international admitted he’s delighted to be back playing football again after the end of season break.

Taylor has been immense these past couple of years and has really grown into the left-back role at Parkhead, particularly after being moved slightly inside by Ange Postecoglou to the inverted full-back role.

On a day when the Bhoys managed to secure a thumping victory to leave the Portuguese training base, Taylor said: “It was a good test. We’ve had a hard week’s training with a lot of miles in the legs, so you’re going into the game tired. But I think both of our teams in each half played the game with a good intensity, so I’m sure the boys and the manager will be pleased.

“We’re a team that wants to score goals, that hasn’t changed, and we’re also a team that wants to try and keep clean sheets, so we’ll be building that in pre-season, but right now it’s all about getting the work in more than results.

“Getting a full pre-season under your belt, there’s nothing more important for a footballer,” he said. “We’ll have a long, hard season with lots of games, and games – you saw it last season – pushing right to the last minute and getting important goals.

“All that work’s done in pre-season because you’re building your fitness for the long hard slog ahead. Every single player has tried to impress and have given their all, and I hope we continue that into Japan because there’s more hard work there to come.”

The 25-year-old old will be looking to start next season off the way we ended the last; in victory and success. After securing another Treble for the club, the ex-Kilmarnock man will be hoping to play a starring role in Brendan Rodgers second spell in charge of the Parkhead side.

There has been a lot of talk about whether the new boss will stick or twist in regard the inverted full-back tactic employed by his predecessor. It remains to be seen how Taylor will fit in his plans come the Scottish Premiership starting up once again.

Paul Gillespie

🎙️ Greg Taylor on the match

🗣️ “Both teams in both halves played with a good intensity so I’m sure the boys and the manager will be pleased.”#PORCEL | #CelticFC | #COYBIG 🍀

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 15, 2023

4-1 victory! pic.twitter.com/eslX2hqIAI

— Bun Beag Brian (@BunbegB) July 15, 2023

🎙️ Brendan Rodgers on the match

💬 "It was excellent. We’ve had a fantastic week so to finish it off with a decent performance and a good result for the guys I’m really pleased."#PORCEL | #CelticFC | #COYBIG 🍀

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 15, 2023

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The Celtic Star’s Father’s Day Promotion has been so successful, with hundreds of books at great prices being posted to Celtic fans all over the world, that we’ve decided to continue with the sale until the end of July. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).

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