“I wouldn’t shut the door totally on it,” Rodgers not giving up on new Taylor deal | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers was asked about the possibility of Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen may well turn out to be the last appearance in a Celtic jersey from Greg Taylor, who is out of contract after the season ends…

Greg Taylor of Celtic arrives at Celtic Park. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, 10 May 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

There has been a stand-off for many months on this but so far Greg Taylor has neither indicated that he wants to leave or indeed stay and the Celtic manager is far from giving up on his own wish to get Taylor to put pen to paper on a new long term deal.

Taylor has also become a key player for Celtic in that inverted full-back role

Kieran Tierney’s return to Celtic obviously is a factor as Taylor has established himself as a first pick left-back over a number of years as KT played at Arsenal and out on loan at Real Sociedad. Taylor has also become a key player for Celtic in that inverted full-back role, using his early career experience as a midfielder to great effect. Without him at the club there will be a real void in that role, which is particularly important when playing against a low-block side.

Greg Taylor. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The Celtic manager once again explained his own thoughts on Taylor’s importance to the squad and revealed that he had a long chat with the player on Wednesday to discuss the position.

“I don’t know, you’d better ask him,” the Celtic manager said earlier today.“I had a long conversation with Greg yesterday. The door is not closed. I think probably both he and I are just focusing on the performance level of the team, and once the season’s over on Saturday, then he’ll  obviously have a bit more thinking time and space to be able to do that.

“I wouldn’t shut the door totally on it”

“I wouldn’t shut the door totally on it. I gave my feelings of what may happen a number of weeks back, just having experienced so many of these situations and what it can look like.

Greg Taylor in action. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“I would definitely say it’s not 100 per cent that it’s going to be his last game – I think I’ve put on record a number of times my keenness to keep him here.

“It can definitely work, but there has to be an agreement between him and his representatives in the club.”

“I believe it can work with him and Kieran being here with the number of games we have and the different types of games that we need to play,” Brendan said. “It can definitely work, but there has to be an agreement between him and his representatives in the club. And if that’s not reached, then he won’t be here, and he will move on.

“It’s not all on Greg either. I think it’s something that there needs to be a solution between the two parties. Everybody recognises that this is a big contract for him. And a big contract in terms of this will carry him for the next four or five years.

Greg Taylor shakes the manager’s hand after being substituted. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“At 27, that’s one of your last big contracts as a player. So, everything has to be right, and that’s become a father recently as well. So, there are lots of things that he has to take care of on that side. And I’ve always tried to respect that space that he’s needed for that. And it’s not all financial.

“I’ve made it clear all the way along that I’m very keen for him to stay.”

“So, that’s where it’s at. I’ve made it clear all the way along that I’m very keen for him to stay. He’s loved his time here. He’s enjoyed playing. And he’s a real part of what we’re doing here. So, hopefully, it can find its way out to him being here.

“But if not, then we’ll have lost a fantastic young player.”

Greg Taylor. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Hopefully Brendan’s pitch to Greg Taylor and indeed the Celtic Board will bring the two sides together while he can give enough re-assurance on game-time next season and beyond to make Taylor opt to sign his new deal with looks like will be for four or even five years.

We should know next week. Hopefully it’s a positive outcome and Greg Taylor signs a new deal. Fingers crossed.

Watch Brendan Rodgers media conference below ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen at Hampden Park…

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