Celtic: Why Brendan Rodgers is so keen to keep Greg taylor

Since returning to Celtic Rodgers has been clear he wants to take them up a level in European competition.

This season was a step forward as they went close to taking Bayern Munich to extra-time in the play-off round, after racking up 12 points in the league phase.

To continue that trend and their dominance of Scottish football, Rodgers knows they need even greater depth and a variety of options in a long season.

That is also why keeping Taylor is important to him. While Tierney, he says, could play further infield, his strengths are more using his pace and dribbling ability to get behind defences and put crosses into the box.

Those different strengths are why the Celtic manager sees them “dovetailing perfectly”.

But it’s not just about ability, but personality as well. When the Celtic boss was asked about Taylor’s future he was effusive in his praise for his player’s attitude.

One of the points he made was Taylor is always up for every game – “And I mean every game” – the Celtic boss emphasised.

The inference was not enough of his team were sufficiently motivated for the first half of their 1-0 loss at McDiarmid Park, something that is understandable given their huge lead in the Premiership, but unacceptable at Celtic.

The nature of the club and Scottish football means a native core is important, as they intuitively understand winning every domestic game is demanded at Glasgow’s big two.

While Tierney will clearly bring that leadership, for Rodgers having as many characters like that as possible, as long as they are also effective, is key.

“He’s very instrumental off the field, he’s got a big personality in the changing room,” the Celtic boss said of Taylor.

“His character fits this club. He’s in tune with what being a Celtic player is about. You look at James [Forrest], Callum [McGregor], they live with the expectation, the feeling and what the demands are of this club and Greg lives that feeling as well.”