Greg Taylor is reportedly set to leave Celtic – but Brendan Rodgers will be relieved to find out it won’t be until the summer.
The Scotland left-back has been chased by Dinamo Zagreb throughout the winter window and, with the Croatian window not closing until the end of next week, there was time remaining for them to push it through this month. But Celtic, having already parted ways with Alex Valle, attempted to fast-track Kieran Tierney‘s return from Arsenal, and turned to Jeffrey Schlupp as a short-term alternative when that didn’t happen, don’t want to lose him in the short-term.
So it’s mixed news then that it won’t be happening this month – but will be in the summer. Sportnet report that he has signed a pre-contract agreement and that Dinamo had the option to trigger an undisclosed ‘release clause’ to make it happen now. But it’s claimed they’ve decided against that with Taylor now set to see out the final six months on his deal at Celtic before making the move in the summer.
It comes despite boss Rodgers making it clear he wanted the 27-year-old to sign a new deal and stay at Parkhead. But it seems with Tierney’s return imminent, Taylor has decided the time is right for a move.
It’s bittersweet news for Celtic who all-in-all would have rather Taylor hung around beyond the end of the season, but news that it hasn’t been fast-tracked despite that possibility looming will spark a sigh of relief or two, with the Hoops unable to sign a replacement of their own were that to happen. It now means a chance to start fresh in the position with Tierney set to nail down the spot, and another left-back, whether that be Schlupp or an alternative backup option, in reserve.
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