Greg Taylor says Celtic must be strong in the title heat and show again what they are all about under Ange Postecoglou.
The Parkhead defender insists the troops are fully focused on producing a powerful finish as they aim to secure the Premiership.
Taylor and his team-mates have moved into position to seal the deal having carved a six-point lead with five games to go.
Sunday’s vital trip to Dingwall to meet Ross County offers another huge opportunity for the flag-chasers to take another big step towards glory.
Last weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Rangers at Hampden was a setback, but Celtic have bounced back well from challenges and adverse results this term and Taylor hopes they will do so again to strike a timely blow in the title battle.
Captain Callum McGregor gathered the troops on the pitch at the National Stadium to lay down the requirements and Taylor said: “It was just about regaining focus and knowing how well we have done so far, but we know there is still a job at hand.
“We have five big league games to go now and we have to finish with five strong performances. We know what’s at stake at the end of that and we understand what is needed.
“We need to show that we can bounce back. We have done that throughout the season when we have had a disappointing result like the semi-final was, so we need to show what we are all about.
“We have done that throughout the season, so I hope it’s no different on Sunday.”|
The dangers of Dingwall have already been outlined to Celtic this season after a dramatic first visit of the term just prior to Christmas.
Postecoglou’s men were reduced to 10 men after a red card for Carl Starfelt and set to drop six points off the title pace before Anthony Ralston’s 97th minute header brought a priceless win and sparked jubilant scenes.
Taylor recalled: “The (Premier Sports) Cup Final was on the Sunday and I was on the bench. It was a sticky game, to be fair.
“Ross County have had a great season. They have quick attacking players at the top end and they have been resolute in their defending. They have done well and got top six.
“It was a tight game on the night and, when it gets that late, of course you are pushing and pushing.
“We were down to 10 men and Tom (Rogic) managed to stand it up to the back stick.
“We knew when Tony got in there, there was only one man who was winning that header and he did unbelievable. It was a big result in the season.”
Since then, Celtic have hammered County 4-0 on their own turf, but Taylor added: “Of course you will look back at those games, but you can’t really take a lot because it’s a totally different game.
“In the game at Celtic Park, they went down to 10 men, so we managed a good result, but we know we need to be at it.”
Postecoglou’s team will have the reset button after the Hampden heartache to go again with Taylor explaining the need to shrug off disappointments and get right back into the groove.
The left-back’s first goal of the season put Celtic on course for a win before the side were undone by their biggest rivals.
Taylor told Celtic TV: “The feeling when I scored was like nothing I’ve felt in my entire life, it was unbelievable.
“It was just a wee bit unfortunate that we couldn’t manage to get the result to top off the day.
“It’s bittersweet. It was an amazing moment, the feeling when it went in was like nothing I felt in my career, but it still hurts.
“It hurts for a few days. It was a big game and a big opportunity that, unfortunately, we didn’t manage to take.
“But with football, you have to move your focus to the next game, so that’s what we’ve done and we prepare for Sunday.”
Taylor’s form has been one of the reasons why Celtic have overhauled Rangers since the turn of the year to charge into pole position in the Premiership.
On a personal level, he said: “It’s been a successful season and I’ve really enjoyed the way the manager wants to play. I have learned a lot, I have tried to improve as each game and training session has come.
“When I was younger, I had played a wee bit in midfield and when I was at Kilmarnock previously, I played a few times there under Steve Clarke.
“It’s a position I had played, but not that often. I’m not playing midfield now. It’s at the right moments you are coming inside and fits my game.
“I think I have taken to it well, but there are still a lot of improvements that I could be making.
“I had a really difficult spell when I was out injured. I missed three months and it was disappointing because, as a footballer, you don’t want to miss one minute, never mind three months.
“During that period, I tried to work as hard as I can to be ready when I came back and, thankfully, the manager has put a lot of trust in myself and put me straight back into the team and I’ve not missed too many.”
