FOLLOWING in the footsteps of Kieran Tierney was never going to be an easy prospect for whoever Celtic’s next left-back was going to be, as Greg Taylor has found. But the former Kilmarnock man is set on following his own path to success at the club.
Taylor knows that comparisons between himself and his predecessor will be made, and that he may not come out of those comparisons all that favourably given the level that Tierney has now reached as he stars in the English Premier League for Arsenal.
The 22-year-old can’t control that, but he is hell-bent on becoming the best Greg Taylor he can be, rather than trying to be the next Kieran Tierney. And he hopes that will be enough to win over manager Neil Lennon and the Celtic faithful.
“It’s natural,” Taylor said. “Kieran was a top, top player for the club and still is that at Arsenal.
“He’s a great lad and I was with him in the last Scotland squad and got on really well with him. But, it’s for other people to make comparisons.
“It’s not something I do myself. I’ve never claimed to be Kieran Tierney, I’m Greg Taylor and that’s all I can be each week. Hopefully that’s enough to continue to play each week for the gaffer.
“There’s big expectations on every player at the club and I’m no different. It’s just one of those things. I’m fine with it.
“I just have to do enough in training and games and aim to constantly get better. If I’m selected, then it’s about giving my all and trying to help deliver clean sheets and assists.”
The competition that Taylor highlights hasn’t been eased by the loan departure of Boli Bolingoli, with Celtic boss Lennon freely stating that he hopes to bring in another option in Taylor’s position during this transfer window.
“It’s not a problem for me,” he said. “That is the life of a player at a big club. There’s going to be competition everywhere.
“Boli’s gone on loan, so there’s a vacancy there. It’s understandable the manager’s looking to bring someone else in.
“It’s competition and that drives every player on. It’s something that we love having in the squad.
“I just keep my focus on what I’ve got to do. There’s competition everywhere in this squad.
“You just aim to do enough that makes sure the manager selects you for the next game.
“There’s always pressure on you, but I don’t have a problem with that. I’m at a massive club and you have to expect that. But it pushes me on.”
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