Brendan Rodgers Addresses Kieran Tierney’s Pending Return to Celtic
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has acknowledged the impending return of Kieran Tierney, which could create an interesting situation for current left-back Greg Taylor. Rodgers expressed his desire to keep Taylor at the club, but the player’s future remains uncertain.
The Situation
Kieran Tierney, who left Celtic for Arsenal in 2019, has signed a pre-contract agreement to return to the Scottish Premiership champions in the summer. This development has sparked speculation about the future of Greg Taylor, who has been Celtic’s first-choice left-back for several seasons.
Rodgers’ Verdict
Rodgers addressed the situation in a press conference, stating that he wants to keep Taylor at the club. However, the manager acknowledged that Tierney’s return could create an “issue” for Taylor.
“I’ve had a number of open conversations with Greg on it, and I do think that is an issue,” Rodgers said. “There’s no doubt about that. He’s been a starter here for virtually six years.”
Taylor’s Future
Taylor has been linked with a move away from Celtic, with Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb reportedly interested in signing him. Rodgers confirmed that there was interest in Taylor during the January transfer window, but nothing concrete materialized.
The Dinamo Zagreb Link
Croatian outlet Sportnet reported that Taylor had signed a pre-contract agreement with Dinamo Zagreb. However, Taylor’s representatives have denied this claim, according to the Daily Record.
Rodgers’ Hope
Rodgers expressed his hope that Taylor would remain at Celtic beyond the summer. However, the manager acknowledged that the situation is uncertain and that Taylor’s future will depend on various factors.
“My feelings will be to hope to convince Greg to be here,” Rodgers said. “Of course, as time goes on, then that becomes much less realistic, but it doesn’t change his professionalism.”
The Importance of Taylor
Taylor has been an integral part of Celtic’s success in recent seasons. The left-back has made over 150 appearances for the club and has won several honors, including multiple Scottish Premiership titles.
The Challenge Ahead
The return of Tierney will undoubtedly create competition for Taylor. However, Rodgers believes that both players can coexist and compete for the left-back spot.
“He knows Kieran well, and he knows his qualities and his abilities,” Rodgers said. “But there still can be room for two of them here – there’s absolutely no doubt.”
The Benefits of Having Two Quality Left-Backs
Having two quality left-backs like Taylor and Tierney can be beneficial for Celtic. The competition between the two players can drive them to improve their performances, and Rodgers can rotate them to keep them fresh and injury-free.
The Volume of Games
Celtic play a high volume of games throughout the season, and having two quality left-backs can help Rodgers manage the workload.
“You’re playing upward of 55 to 60 games a season,” Rodgers said. “We can’t play one player, and I wouldn’t want to play one player in all of those because you’re just not going to have the right physicality.”
Conclusion
The return of Kieran Tierney to Celtic has created an interesting situation for Greg Taylor. While Rodgers wants to keep Taylor at the club, the player’s future remains uncertain. The competition between Taylor and Tierney can drive them to improve their performances, and having two quality left-backs can be beneficial for Celtic.