It has been quite the turnaround for Greg Taylor.
The left-back is among Celtic’s most consistent performers this season, no small compliment in a squad littered with standouts over the course. He is also one of the most striking individual success stories of Ange Postecoglou’s tenure.
Often harshly, Taylor was not always flavour of the month during his early career at Parkhead, and the decision to hand him a new long-term contract in September 2021 was hardly greeted with universal acclaim.
It has proven shrewd business.
The 25-year-old has thrived under Postecoglou’s guidance, adapting to his demands and system with such excellence he is now being discussed among Celtic’s potential player of the year candidates. For his part, the defender believes the individual honours tend to favour those at the other end of the pitch, but he’s certainly not complaining about being included in the conversation.
“I didn’t know I was a candidate!” he insisted. “It’s a massive compliment to be spoken about and it’s nice when the plaudits come along.
“But I know how quickly things can change if you don’t cut the mustard. I just keep trying to improve and focus on finishing the season strongly.
“The awards tend to go to the goal scorers anyway!
“There are several candidates from this team. It says a lot and that’s a credit to the players themselves.
“Everyone has played their role in the team and everyone plays their part. We know we wouldn’t be as successful if everyone didn’t give themselves over to the team.
“Look at Kyogo. You see him running all the way back to his own goal to defend, and these things don’t go unnoticed.
“It’s unbelievable. But that is what it’s like throughout the squad, everyone wants to help one another. It’s a great thing to have.”
At just one goal shy of the 30 mark, it is no surprise Kyogo is favourite to clean house at the end of season celebrations. He’d already be there were it not for that penalty which cannoned back off the Rugby Park post, and Taylor admits he’s out of his words to describe his contribution.
“It’s unbelievable – and that’s with him not being the penalty taker, as we saw at Kilmarnock!” Taylor said. “He’s been unbelievable. What a player – and what a man. He’s just so happy and so keen to do well, we are so grateful to have him.
“Honestly, he’s just a pleasure to play alongside and to have in the team as his enthusiasm to do well for the team is incredible. There aren’t enough superlatives for him.
“He does have that big game mentality, but it’s more of an every game mentality.
“The team does in general. I think the badge dictates it. The supporters demand exciting football and a winning mentality, every week, and not just in the big games.
“Everyone who has come into the building has bought into that mentality. Everyone understands that is what is required at this club – and Kyogo is not different.”
It is that mentality which has helped carry Celtic to the brink of another Premiership title, and they can take a monumental step towards a domestic clean sweep should they see off Rangers in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.
Led by captain Callum McGregor, Postecoglou has assembled a dressing room brimming with personalities who just know how to win trophies. It is one of football’s great intangibles, but Taylor says it spreads across everyone in the group.
“When you look around the dressing room, you just see an energy and determination to do well,” he said. “It’s not about having shouters or anything like that. It’s just that everyone is so eager to do well for the team.
“It’s a really collective. We’ve got a group that is willing to listen and learn from the manager and the coaching staff.
“That helps when it comes to these big games. It gives you a lot of confidence to know there are guys in there who have been there and done it.
“The likes of Callum and Jamesie [Forrest] have won lots of trophies, there’s Joe Hart who is a Premier League winner.
“They are proven winners but there is now a team full of guys who have won things at the club.
“For me it’s more about this desire to improve. That’s the big thing for me.
`”We don't ever rest on what has happened previously – and that’s the whole squad.
“Everyone is just trying to improve and that is what drives us through these big games.
“It’s great to have that big game experience and memories. But it’s not like we are looking back, because that’s when it can come back and bite you. It’s all about what is in front of us.”
In front of him, generally, is Daizen Maeda. With the Japan international on the left wing, Taylor can take to the field as the envy of full-backs far and wide, in that he knows he’ll never have to berate the winger for a helping hand defensively.
Maeda’s work rate and desire have endeared him to the Celtic support no end, and Taylor revealed his application is the exact same on the Lennoxtown training pitch as it is in the heat of battle at the weekend.
“I love playing behind him,” he said. “He’s brilliant. We have a great relationship together attacking and defending.
“I can’t say enough about him. He’s such a talent and he’s another one who gives himself to the team whether it’s going forward or at the back.
“You saw how well he did at the World Cup, so it’s no surprise. He’s been in great form since then and hopefully that will continue until the end of the season.
“He’s exactly the same in training as he is in games. He trains every day like it’s his last.
“It’s a different animal in the games and we all know that is where we are judged. You don’t play if you don’t train well but you know you will get the best of him in games.”
