Imagine leaving a club where you’ve won six trophies, only to realize you might have stayed if things had been different. Greg Taylor’s recent revelations about his departure from Celtic have sparked a wave of emotions and debates among fans. The Scotland international, who swapped Parkhead for PAOK last summer, has opened up about the truth behind his exit—and it’s not what you’d expect. But here’s where it gets controversial: Taylor admits he would have stayed at Celtic if he’d been given a fair shot against Kieran Tierney. Let’s dive into the story that’s got everyone talking.
After six glorious years with the Hoops, Taylor found himself at a crossroads when Tierney, the player he replaced, made an emotional return to Celtic from Arsenal. At 28, Taylor knew his place in the starting lineup was at risk, and with regular first-team football being his priority, he made the tough decision to move on. In a candid interview with Open Goal, Taylor shared the emotional weight of his choice: ‘It was probably the time for everyone. I’d had an amazing six years there, but with Kieran likely coming back, I knew I wanted to play regularly. That was the main reason for leaving.’
But this is the part most people miss: Taylor wasn’t just walking away from Celtic. He was walking away from a club he loved, a club where he’d been the first-choice left-back since his £2 million move from Kilmarnock in 2019. He even turned down multiple contract offers from Brendan Rodgers, who fought hard to keep him. So, what really pushed him out? Taylor hints at a lack of fairness in the competition for his position, suggesting it wasn’t a level playing field. ‘It wasn’t maybe a fair fight,’ he admitted, leaving fans wondering if Celtic could have done more to retain him.
Here’s the bold truth: Taylor would have stayed—on one condition. ‘If I knew I was going to be the guy playing all the games, I would have pledged my future to Celtic,’ he confessed. This raises a thought-provoking question: Did Celtic miss an opportunity to keep a loyal and proven player by not guaranteeing his role? Or was it Taylor’s responsibility to fight for his spot? The debate is wide open.
Now at PAOK, Taylor is in the midst of a title fight with AEK Athens and Olympiacos, but he hasn’t forgotten his roots. ‘I still watch all the Celtic games,’ he said, even tipping them to win the league despite a tight race. His connection to the club remains strong, but the ‘what ifs’ linger. What if he’d stayed? What if Celtic had handled things differently? These questions will keep fans discussing for weeks.
So, what do you think? Did Celtic make a mistake by not assuring Taylor’s position, or was his decision to leave the right move? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
