When it comes to understanding the demands and pressures partnered with playing for Celtic few know the subject better than Greg Taylor.
The full back, 25, is among the longest-serving players at the club despite only joining Celtic in 2019 and his relatively tender age.
Only James Forrest, Callum McGregor, Scott Bain and Anthony Ralston outrank Scotland international Taylor in terms of service at Parkhead.
That’s not to say it has been plain sailing for Taylor, however, with the left back signed as a successor to Kieran Tierney.
Taylor didn’t exactly hit the ground running in Glasgow but has flourished under Ange Postecoglou to become a key player.
Even when his wasn’t first-choice for Celtic, though, Taylor always knew of the demands and limited opportunities afforded in the spotlight at Parkhead.
“It’s always competitive at a club this size, you can’t rest on what you’ve done in the previous game, you’re 90 minutes away from a disaster because you’ve always got someone breathing down your neck,” said Taylor of the competition within the Celtic squad.
“And when they get an opportunity they often take it.”
While there were perhaps question marks over Taylor’s future at Celtic in the early stages following his switch from Kilmarnock, he has not only outlasted competition for his position but has gone on to become one of the top left-backs in the country.
Boli Bolingoli and Diego Laxalt were failed experiments in the position at Parkhead while Liam Scales and Adam Montgomery were only played there as a stop gap.
Now, Alexandro Bernabei is competing for a spot in the inverted role at Celtic – for Taylor it’s a tactical switch that has brought the best out of him.
He explained: “The manager touched on it that it took myself, Jura (Josip Juranovic), Tony (Ralston) a bit of time to grasp the system, and we had good days and bad days at it. Ally’s (Alistair Johnston) an international player and he’s got a great attitude.
“I think we only have Tony out and he’s back training. Everyone’s pushing, everyone’s eager and everyone wants an opportunity.
“It’s rare for anyone who does get an opportunity not to take it because the standard of training’s so good throughout the week. You can’t afford to be off it even one day in training or your place has gone.”
Few at Celtic would now look back at the £3million signing of Taylor as anything other than a total success. And that's a common theme at Celtic in recent times with Postecoglou displaying his prowess in the transfer market.
Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O'Riley, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda have been terrific transfer switches to name a few of Postecoglou's successes in Scotland. And Taylor has no doubt new face Tomoki Iwata, Yuki Kobayashi and Hyeongyu Oh will make huge contributions at Celtic having watched Johnston seamlessly fit into the Parkhead regime.
"The manager has a clear philosophy so it’s easier for the boys who come in because we’ve a set way of playing," said Taylor.
"We know they’ll give 100percent, the mentality of the new guys is outstanding and hopefully that’ll be the case with any other new guys who come through the door.
"They’ve settled really well. You see Oh when he came on, he’s a handful, he’s young and eager and he’s going to bring something to the party.
"Tommo and Ally have settled in straight away, Yuki, they’ve all contributed already at an early stage and I’m sure that’ll continue as the season goes on.
"We’ve lost boys who’ve done really well for us and it’s important to be grateful for their contribution. But the new lads will be major contributors as the season goes on.
"We’ve a strong squad and a big squad so our aim is to train as hard as we can and hope for an opportunity at the weekend.
"If players come in or leave it’s above our heads, we concentrate on training and games."
It would now perhaps be considered uncommon for a Celtic signing to have little impact at all. Something similarly dwindling in rarity around Parkhead is Taylor's name on the scoresheet - even if the defender is far from a regular scorer in his own opinion.
Taylor added to his tally this season with a superb driven effort to kick-off proceedings in the 3-0 triumph over Livingston.
"Reo did well to pick me out in the box and it was a case of trying to keep it on target. Thankfully it went in," he said of his opener.
"This is my most prolific season by a long way but that’s only three, so it’s not crazy numbers. But it’s the best feeling in the world when the ball hits the back of the net. I think Wednesday was the first time I’ve done it with fans in, so it was nice."
Taylor may well be a constant in the Celtic team for years to come, but pal McGregor has all but written his name in Parkhead folklore for his continuing service at the club.
He celebrated his 400th appearance against Dundee United before quickly picking up his 401st outing against Livingston.
McGregor suffered a bash on the head during a collision with Bruce Anderson with suggestions of a broken nose leaving the Celtic captain bloodied. But Taylor echoed Postecoglou's previous comments that any problem wouldn't stop McGregor.
He added: "He’s unbelievable, he’s a leader, a top player, a top guy. He’s so consistent in every game and he makes it easier for the boys around him. I love playing with him and love having him as the captain.
"He thinks he’s broken it but I don’t believe it. I think he just wanted a cuddle but with or without the mask he’s doing all right."
