Celtic are back in action away to Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership this evening, with the champions looking to maintain their grip on top spot having enjoyed a stunning start to the season in a domestic sense thus far.
For all the frustration regarding the Hoops’ Champions League woes – having finished rock-bottom of the group on their return to Europe’s premier competition – Ange Postecoglou’s side have largely enjoyed a smooth ride in the defence of their league crown, having clinched 12 wins from their opening 13 league games.
The Old Firm outfit’s latest triumph came against Dundee United at Parkhead on Saturday, with the home side running out 4-2 winners following a dramatic climax against Liam Fox’s men, with Kyogo Furuhashi and Liel Abada netting at the death to seal all three points.
That result had been timely following the midweek thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid just a few days earlier, with the Bhoys likely hoping to put that result firmly behind them with another positive showing later today.
Ahead of that encounter with the Steelmen, Postecoglou could bolster his side’s chances of victory by recalling Greg Taylor to the starting XI, with the Scotland international having started on the bench at the weekend despite netting in his previous two league games.
The 25-year-old had been replaced in the side by understudy Alexandro Bernabei for the visit of the Tangerines, albeit with the young Argentine suffering the misfortune of giving away a penalty and receiving a yellow card to boot early in the first half for what was an incredibly harsh handball decision.
The summer signing was then withdrawn in favour of birthday boy Taylor at the interval, with the ten-cap gem going on to play a key role in the second period, notably producing a “huge moment“, in the words of journalist Alan Temple, after clearing the ball off the line with the hosts leading 2-1.
Such an intervention seemingly epitomised the diminutive full-back’s form so far this season, having been “the most improved player in Scotland over the past 12 months“, according to pundit Kris Commons, with the former Celtic playmaker also stating that he is “on fire” at present.
Despite the presence of the aforementioned Bernabei, the ‘position is his own‘, as per Glasgow Live’s Ryan Thom, with Taylor having simply gone from strength to strength so far this season.
The £8.2k-per-week machine could well be vital this evening as Postecoglou’s men look to maintain their imperious form.
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