Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston has shared his thoughts on the potential departure of teammate Greg Taylor, whose contract with the Hoops is set to expire at the end of the season.
With Kieran Tierney poised for a return to Celtic Park, stalled contract discussions between the club and Taylor suggest the Scottish international’s time in Glasgow may be nearing its end.
Tierney’s pre-contract agreement has reportedly been in development for months, meaning any renewal offer extended to Taylor was likely framed with the Arsenal defender’s anticipated summer arrival in mind.
Taylor, however, views the terms as undervaluing his contributions. Since joining Celtic in 2019, the 26-year-old has cemented himself as the squad’s first-choice left-back, securing four Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups, and three League Cups during his tenure.
Dinamo Zagreb has emerged as a frontrunner for Taylor’s signature, with talks over a pre-contract agreement reportedly advancing. Johnston, while acknowledging Taylor’s right to prioritize regular playing time, emphasized the potential void his exit could create.
He said: (RecordSport), “I won’t speak for him, but it must be difficult knowing KT’s coming in the summer.
“Greg’s someone who often gets overlooked but who helps us do so much with his ability to come inside and impact the play. If this is his last year, he’ll be seriously missed on and off the pitch.
“But you can understand that he wants to play every week and with Kieran coming back that’s maybe not going to happen. Whatever happens, though, he’ll always give his best for the club, and we should back him for that.”
A head-to-head battle between Taylor and Tierney for the starting left-back role would have intrigued fans, but Taylor’s reluctance to sign an extension makes his exit increasingly probable. Johnston, who joined Celtic in early 2023, also noted Taylor’s positive influence on the squad, both tactically and as a leader.
While not the flashiest player, Taylor’s steady reliability has made him one of Celtic’s most dependable performers. Should he depart, he’ll leave with the gratitude of supporters after a trophy-laden six-year spell, his legacy cemented as a key figure in the club’s recent dominance of Scottish football.
