Imagine leaving a club where you’ve won six trophies, only to realize your biggest regret was not fighting harder to stay. That’s the bittersweet truth Greg Taylor is now sharing about his exit from Celtic. The former Hoops star, who swapped Glasgow’s Parkhead for Greece’s PAOK last summer, has finally opened up about the emotional decision that changed his career—and it’s not as straightforward as you might think.
At 28, Taylor was Celtic’s go-to left-back since his £2 million move from Kilmarnock in 2019. But when Kieran Tierney, the man he replaced, made an emotional return to Celtic from Arsenal, Taylor knew his days as the undisputed starter were numbered. And this is the part most people miss: Taylor admits he would’ve stayed at Celtic—if only he’d been given a fair shot to compete for his position.
In a candid interview with Open Goal, Taylor revealed, ‘I just think it was probably the time for everyone. I’d had an amazing six years there, but it was clear Kieran was coming back. I wanted to play regularly, and that was the main reason for leaving.’ Despite interest from Zagreb in January, Taylor was determined to finish the season with Celtic, especially with the Champions League and a potential Treble on the line. But after losing the cup final and facing an uncertain future, he knew it was time to move on.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Taylor confessed he would’ve committed to Celtic if he’d been guaranteed the starting role. ‘I’m not afraid of competition,’ he said, pointing out that he’d faced off against five or six other left-backs during his time at the club. ‘But it didn’t feel like a fair fight this time.’ Even days before signing with PAOK, he called manager Brendan Rodgers, who hoped Taylor was calling to say he’d stay. Talk about a tough decision!
Now, as PAOK battles AEK Athens and Olympiacos for the title, Taylor still keeps a close eye on Celtic’s progress. ‘I watch all their games,’ he admitted, praising Benjamin Nygren’s recent form and predicting a tight race for the Scottish title. But here’s the question that’ll spark debate: Did Celtic make a mistake by not assuring Taylor a starting spot, or did he make the right call by seeking a new challenge? Let us know what you think in the comments—this is one transfer saga that’s far from over.
