Celtic have enjoyed immense domestic success over the last two and a half decades.
A second nine-in-a-row and a Quadruple Treble has made this period one of Celtic’s most successful in their history as the club hoovered up trophy after trophy in their domination of the Scottish game.
However, it’s the successes of recent seasons Kevin Thomson was speaking about and, in particular, the performances of Greg Taylor that had the BBC man defending the Celtic fullback.
Taylor gets a lot of criticism from the Celtic fans and Thomson believes that the quality he gives the team makes him one of Brendan Rodgers‘ unsung heroes this season.
Greg Taylor ‘really’ respected by Celtic teammates
Cards on the table, I like Greg Taylor. He has his deficiencies but what he’s done to help Celtic remain successful, especially during the Ange Postecoglou rebuild, cannot be understated.
So it is little wonder Thomson was waxing lyrical about the 26-year-old Celtic defender.
Thomson said [Scottish Football Podcast], “And you mention people like Greg Taylor. I know how difficult it is to win over the O-d F-rm fans. You’re up against it every time you touch the ball where you become a hero or a zero.
“But I have to say that he’s probably been one of the ones for me that will be an unsung hero in that Celtic team.
“Because he’s not flashy, he’s not one of the big names but I bet his teammates really respect him for the energy that brings to the team and the the quality that he brings in the final third.”
Greg Taylor’s Celtic stats
Since signing for Celtic in 2019, Taylor has made 164 appearances for the club under Neil Lennon and Brendan Rodgers.
In his first season at the club, Taylor was under a lot of unfair pressure due to him being signed as the replacement for the departed Kieran Tierney.
And after a difficult first season at the club where he made just 17 appearances, it wasn’t until Ange Postecoglou came to Celtic that Taylor really shone in the green and white Hoops.
An ever-present for Ange, Taylor made 78 appearances as he flourished in the inverted fullback role helping the Aussie gaffer win five trophies out of six, including the record-breaking eighth treble.
Taylor has scored eight goals and created 25 assists at Celtic as well proving that he can be a threat going forward. Who can forget his winner in the 4-3 win over Hearts at Tynecastle last season? [Transfermarkt]
Under Rodgers, the Scotland defender did struggle initially but he has still played 37 times for the Irishman and has come on to a game recently.
Despite his flaws, Taylor remains an important first-team plaer and will still play a huge part in whether or not Celtic retains the title this season.