Greg Taylor’s frailties exposed on Champions League stage yet again

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·13 February 2025

Greg Taylor’s frailties exposed on Champions League stage yet again

I hate being critical of players, I really do, but if it needs to be said, then it needs to be said…

Celtic starting XI Celtic v Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League, Knockout Round Play-offs, First Leg, Celtic Park, 12 February 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

The player in question is Greg Taylor and not for the first time he showed his frailties on the big stage last night in Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League play-off at Celtic Park.

OneFootball Videos

Taylor gets his fair share of criticism

Greg Taylor gets his fair share of criticism from the supporters, and 99 percent of it is bang out of order in my opinion as he’s done us a good turn since signing for the club back in 2019. Domestically he is absolutely fine and adds plenty to Celtic game-plan match after match.

He’s been a regular under Neil Lennon, Ange Postecoglou and now Brendan Rodgers, and that’s not just by coincidence, he’s more than earned his place in the side, but it’s pretty evident that he looks like the proverbial fish out of the water when it comes to stepping up to the elite level of club football.

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, acknowledges the fans following the UEFA Champions League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic and Bayern München at Celtic Park on February 12, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Opponents target Celtic’s left back

And what is noticeable is that just about every opponent Celtic faces targets the left side of our defence as a Celtic weakness.

Our left hand side is an area that often gets exposed by our opponents domestically, with Greg’s lack of height being one of the reasons. But more often than not he copes perfectly well, but when it comes to playing in the continent it’s a totally different story.

Bayern’s first goal came down our left hand side

Last night was yet another example of Greg’s frailties against top quality opposition. Bayern’s first goal came down our left hand side, and although it was a fine strike by Michael Olise, Greg gave him the opportunity by allowing him too much space, something he was guilty of throughout the game.

The goal also came from Taylor giving away a needless throw-in when not for the first time in that first half his pass up the line was misjudged and gifted Bayern possession.

Michael Olise of Bayern Munich scores his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and FC Bayern München at Celtic Park on February 12, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Kieran Tierney’s return should solve the problem

One can only wonder if proceedings would have been different if we managed to bring Kieran Tierney back a bit earlier. No disrespect to Greg, but we need better if we are to improve on the big stage. Tierney’s arrival will shore that problem up next season in the Champions League.

As for Greg Taylor he remains an important player for Celtic, he has done a fine job over six seasons and deserves the new contract Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers wants him to sign. If he does just that there will be no complaints from me, but if he decides to try pastors new then he’ll go with my best wishes and that will be true for plenty of Celtic supporters.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic Pools – Join the Weekly Lottery and support the Celtic Academy. Why not join Celtic Pools for £1 a week with the chance to win up to £25k