GREG TAYLOR finally got his dream move to Celtic from Kilmarnock this evening after the clubs agreed to meet in the middle on their respective valuations for the Scotland full-back who has now been allocated the prestigious Number 3 jersey.
And Celtic are working hard to conclude the signings of the two boys for the big Manchester clubs before the window closes at midnight.
“Celtic close to confirming Jeremie Frimpong from Man City and Lee O’Connor from Man United,” Stephen McGowan for Daily Mail has just tweeted. This backs up the news we told you earlier the evening about these young stars heading to Celtic.
????✅#WelcomeJeremie pic.twitter.com/OnUOn75LFX
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 2, 2019
Celtic close to confirming Jeremie Frimpong from Man City and Lee O’Connor from Man United.
— stephen.mcgowan (@mcgowan_stephen) September 2, 2019
Taylor’s move looked set to be concluded over the weekend with Kilmarnock keen to take Jack Hendry on a season long loan deal and Calvin Miller on a permanent move as part of the deal that would take Taylor to Paradise.
However it appears that these arrangements were discussed and agreed between the clubs but no-one thought to check with the two fringe players and neither it turned out fancied heading down the A77 to play on the plastic.
But all’s well that ends well as Neil Lennon got one of his top targets of the summer window, just a few hours before it slams shut. Twenty-one year old Taylor has signed on for four years, as has been the strategy with all the summer arrivals.
Taylor took to social media to talk about his move and thank former club Kilmarnock for everything they have done for him.
“What an honour to sign for this massive club. Can’t wait to get started and to play in front of the fans at Celtic Park.
What an honour to sign for this massive club!! Can’t wait to get started and to play in front of the fans at Celtic park. It’s such a special day for me and my family. I will see you all soon???? @CelticFC
— Greg Taylor (@GregGregtaylor) September 2, 2019
“It’s such a special day for me and my family. I will see you all soon,” was Taylor’s message to the Celtic support. And for his former club he posted this:
“I’d like to thank Kilmarnock for a great seven years. From academy football, to the play-off final, finishing third and into Europe.
“I would be here all day if I was to name every single person at the club who has helped me but I would not be the player or more importantly the person I am today.”
Here’s his first interview with Celtic TV…
“It’s been a whirlwind of a day but I’m over the moon to be here and thankfully that’s it over the line.
As soon as I knew of Celtic’s interest, I was desperate to come, so it’s been a great day, certainly now that it’s done,” Taylor said.
“It’s massive club, everyone knows that, and I’m here to win trophies, it’s as simple as that and I can’t wait to hopefully be a part of it. I’m delighted to be a Celtic player, and I want to try and impress the fans, and obviously the manager.
“A club this size wants to win trophies and they have done over the past few years, and now that I’m here, I want to help the team win more trophies.”
“I’m delighted. It’s been a whirlwind day but I’m over the moon to be here.” ????3⃣
???? @GregGregtaylor speaking exclusively to @CelticTV after signing a four-year deal with the Bhoys. #WelcomeGreg pic.twitter.com/EfcleboQTQ
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 2, 2019
Taylor will now head back to Steve Clarke’s Scotland party where he’ll join up with three of his new teammates – Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and James Forrest – as they get set to face both Russia and Belgium in the Euro qualifiers.
“We’ve got massive games coming up against Russia and Belgium,” Taylor said, “so we know what our jobs are for those games and hopefully we can get some more points on the table, but after that, I’ll be back in next Tuesday with Celtic,” Celtic’s new signing told Celtic TV as reported on the official Celtic site.
“Callum, Ryan and James are with the Scotland squad just now and they were asking me today what was happening. Now that it’s over the line I can’t wait to be part of this squad, and to say that I’m a Celtic player is a dream come true.
“As a footballer, you want to win games and here the demand is to win every game, but I’m looking forward to that pressure. Hopefully, it will bring the best out in me, and it really is a massive honour to have signed for this club.”
Also on The Celtic Star…
Celtic’s Late Manchester Raid, Aitchison to Green Rovers, Jones Ruptured his ACL, thoughts and prayers etc…see HERE.
Taylor Fee Agreed as Henderson heads to Highlands…see HERE.
Dubliner Jonny Hayes’ Beautiful Sunday, live at the home of the Tribute Act…see HERE.
No Swap Shop – Taylor’s Transfer takes another Twist…see HERE.
UEFA open proceedings against Celtic and AIK…see HERE.
Anthony Ralston’s St Johnstone Loan move confirmed…see HERE.
Flimpong from Man City? The Wanyama Window Deadline Day Round-up…see HERE.
‘This is abhorrent,’ Bears Behaving Badly after suffering another Beautiful Sunday…see HERE.
Blue Monday – Come On Over To Our Place…see HERE.
Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – ‘I wanna, I wanna, I wanna be Edouard,’ Alfredo Morelos…see HERE.
‘Bossed It,’ Odsonne, the Rangers TV Commentary and Lenny exorcised the ghost of Cluj,’ Niall J…see HERE.
David Potter on Celtic’s Beautiful Sunday…see HERE.
‘There’s the house toilet wrecked’ Captain Bluebeard, ‘I’m raging Rangers (sic)’…see HERE.
Ibrox Emptied! – Gerrard’s False Dawn and Rangers Fans’ Tears…see HERE.
