Celtic must extend Greg Taylor’s contract while they look to add competition to the left-back slot. The Scottish Champions have been heavily linked with Hugo Bueno from Wolves as Brendan Rodgers considers adding more depth to the left side of his defence.
Having signed from Kilmarnock in 2019, Taylor made a slow start to life at Celtic before becoming a key figure under Ange Postecoglou and then Brendan Rodgers. The 26-year-old has been a stalwart in the side over the last three years as Celtic have won seven out of a possible nine domestic trophies.
The manager confirmed last week that an offer had been made to extend Taylor’s stay at Parkhead beyond next season.
“I think there was communication maybe towards the end of last season.
“I also met with Greg’s agent to talk through the importance of where I see it but also to be honest and open where everything is at.
“It’s clear we want to keep him. I’m hopeful that we can get a deal done because he’s a very important player for us.”
Bueno has made 49 appearances for the Wolverhampton outfit, scoring once, but finds himself second in the pecking order under Gary O’Neil. The player will likely fancy a crack at the Champions League and could see Celtic as the perfect club to realise his ambitions.
Celtic have only signed two players this window – goalkeepers Viljami Sinisalo and Kasper Schmeichel – but a left-back is said to be high on the manager’s wishlist. Hopefully the club are in a position to announce more signings ahead of the league season kicking off on Sunday against Ross County.
Why should Celtic give Taylor improved terms? He’s a mediocrity, entirely unsuited to European football, and has been caught out not a few times in the Premier League. I’d be happy to see the back of him; if he departs, I don’t expect it will be to a top-class team. I would be happy to see Bueno, or another quality left back, coming in, to be understudied by Matthew Anderson, with young Frame up and coming. Taylor isn’t ‘Celtic class’ and never will be.