Do Celtic need to keep hold of Greg Taylor?
FRASER WILSON: They should do all they can to. Taylor has been one of the most under-rated players at Celtic Park in recent years and is currently the best left back in Scotland. Even if Kieran Tierney returned then they’d need two quality operators in that position.
KEITH JACKSON: They don’t need to but they most certainly should want to. Taylor has been a tremendous signing over the years and, even if Kieran Tierney is plan A going forward, he still has a significant role to play. It makes sense to keep him at the club.
MICHAEL GANNON: No player is irreplaceable but keeping Taylor would be a big boost. He’s a proven performer and a huge presence in the Celtic dressing room. It would seem silly to allow him to go.
SCOTT BURNS: Definitely. He has been a good player for Celtic and I am not convinced Kieran Tierney will play all the games. My concern is that Taylor might be keen for a new challenge overseas. What more can he achieve at Celtic and some of the fans he will never win over?
What is your take on Patrick Stewart’s comments over Philippe Clement?
FRASER: They back up the belief that Rangers have hit reset this season with Clement told to reduce the wage bill and the profile of his squad. Unfortunately for him at a time Celtic are strengthening everywhere. But results over the piece have been poor and simply must improve or Stewart will soon be as unpopular as Clement for his backing.
KEITH: Let’s be honest, it was wishy washy stuff. Stewart felt compelled to give a state of the nation address but he spoke a lot without saying very much at all and it hasn’t landed well with a support on the brink of revolt.
MICHAEL: He’s trying to buy himself time but kicking the can down the road won’t cut it with Rangers fans. Stewart has tough job on his hands but supporters want him to be decisive.
SCOTT: What else can Patrick Stewart say? The bottom line is that Rangers don’t have the money to get rid of Philippe Clement. As it stands, they would need a director to put up the money to terminate his contract. So the status quo will remain until that changes.
Should Hibs hand a new deal to Martin Boyle?
FRASER: If they could convince him to sign again for a year then yes because he’s a hero at Hibs and is back to his rapid best. But Boyle is the wrong side of 30 and a big earner. If a good package was on offer from Australia then Hibs would probably struggle to match it. It’s maybe time for Hibees to enjoy the last of their talisman.
KEITH: Yes. He’s looking as sharp as he has at any time in a green and white shirt.
MICHAEL: They should do everything they can to keep him at the club. It might be tricky as he could fancy a pay day, but it would cost a fortune to replace him so the boat should be pushed out.
SCOTT: Hibs have the option to extend his contract. The problem is that he is on massive money and Hibs won’t want to pay that again. I suspect he might end up moving to Australia in the summer.
Can Jim Goodwin keep Dundee Utd in third spot?
FRASER: Yes. It’s going to take a bit of luck on the injury front but they have shown they can get big results in many different ways. Importantly they look robust defensively while others are chucking in goals galore. It’s going to be a fascinating battle though with the Edinburgh clubs closing in.
KEITH: Why not? The top flight is weak this season and United have looked consistently strong over the first half of the campaign. They are sitting in third place on merit and might even have an eye on toppling Rangers out of second.
MICHAEL: United look the best bet for third right now. Goodwin has built a solid squad who are flexible in their style and know how to grind out results. They’ll take some shifting.
SCOTT: Why not? Not many people would have tipped them to be there after 23 games. You would still fancy Aberdeen to get back in that fight with the January signings they have made and their form has to turn at some point.