Greg Taylor’s commitment to improving could see him added to his seven Scottish caps in the UEFA Nations League national team final.
Taylor’s Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has hailed the left-back’s desire to improve ahead of what could be a crucial international camp for the 24-year-old.
The then Kilmarnock player was 21 when he made his Scotland debut under former Rugby Park boss Steve Clarke in a 3-0 European Championship qualifying defeat in Belgium in June 2019.
Competition with Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson has limited Taylor to seven caps, but the absence of the injured Liverpool captain could see the Celtic player face Ukraine on Wednesday at Hampden.
Tierney could be a direct replacement for his Premier League counterpart after starting four of Arsenal’s last five games, all wins, but his absence from the three Scotland backs in June – while recovering from knee surgery – has been a major factor in stuttering. progress.
Clarke has designed his system to accommodate Tierney and Robertson on the same team and his back three lack flexibility and momentum when the Gunners defender is away.
Six players played in the back three in four games in June – Grant Hanley, Liam Cooper, Scott McTominay, John Souttar, Scott McKenna and Jack Hendry – and Scotland conceded seven goals.
Taylor’s form and confidence in Champions League games could give Clarke the chance to reintroduce Tierney to this back division and give his former Kilmarnock man the chance to continue at the back after starting in the win 4-1 in Armenia.
Postecoglou said of his left-back’s performances: “He is doing very well. He improves because he wants to improve.
“He’s one of those players who I think maybe have been placed in a certain box in the past and categorized as a certain type of player or for a certain type of level.
“But as I keep saying for all of our footballers, it’s up to them to change that perception by improving their performance and their training, and everything they do, physically, mentally, on and off the pitch. ground.
“And Greg is one of those guys, he comes in every day wanting to be better, and I think he’s seen the fruits of his labor. His performances keep improving and he’s done exceptionally well for us so far. now this year, including in Champions League matches.
“But he’s only 24. A lot of our players’ best years are a long way ahead of them. As long as they maintain that improvement mindset, then who knows what level they can reach?
“Dangers come when they kind of get comfortable and plateau in a certain space, but Greg’s not one of those guys. Since I’ve been here he’s embraced the culture and the environment and wants to be the best footballer possible.
With goaltender Craig Gordon ready to shake off a knee, Clarke’s main decisions appear to be on defense and whether to use Tierney and McTominay in the final three.
McKenna has played regularly for Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest, while Hanley has been a regular starter for Norwich, but Hendry hasn’t had many minutes either side of a loan move from the Club. from Bruges to Cremonese. Both Souttar and Cooper are out with Hibernian’s Ryan Porteous backing up.
Nathan Patterson looks set to feature at right-back after an impressive start to the season with Everton, although Aaron Hickey has also started there regularly for Brentford. Anthony Ralston’s performances were a major highlight in June, but he has largely started on the Celtic bench this season.
Clarke has a host of midfield options, including Kenny McLean and Ryan Jack, who both missed out on the summer schedule, while Che Adams is set to start ahead of Ukraine having already scored four goals for Southampton. Lyndon Dykes has not scored for eight matches.
But with three games in a week, Clarke will have to rotate his squad for the final two Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland in Hampden and Ukraine in Krakow.
