Ange Postecoglou is sweating over the fitness of Greg Taylor ahead of Celtic’s trip to Real Betis in the Europa League Group Stage on Thursday, according to the Daily Record.
The Hoops visit the Benito Villamarin Stadium to begin their Group G campaign against last season’s sixth-placed La Liga side. Manuel Pellegrini’s men have opened the new campaign with one win in four games, but have only conceded four goals.
Los Verdiblancos have also only suffered one defeat in the top-flight this term, after a 1-0 loss to Real Madrid. Celtic will hope to overcome their optimism from beating Granada on Monday for a first win of the campaign, but Postecoglou faces doing so without Taylor.
Taylor aggravated a shoulder injury during Celtic’s 3-0 win over Ross County on Saturday. The issue forced the £8.2k-a-week full-back off at half-time, with Postecoglou introducing Adam Montgomery to the action in his place.
Postecoglou was without Taylor for the Old Firm derby at Rangers before the international break due to the issue, too. He appeared to recover for last weekend, but will now see a specialist to determine the severity of the problem.
Thursday’s trip to Real Betis is likely too early for Taylor to feature in the Celtic backline. The five-cap Scotland ace had started each of the Hoops’ Europa League qualifiers on route to the Group Stage. He also opened their Champions League qualifiers against Midtjylland, each Premiership game prior to facing Rangers and the League Cup tie with Hearts.
Postecoglou will likely call on Josip Juranovic to replace Taylor at left-back against Real Betis if Celtic deem him unfit. The summer signing made his debut in the position against Rangers before replacing Anthony Ralston at right-back on Saturday.
Can Juranovic make up for Taylor absence in Celtic defence vs Real Betis?
Juranovic performed respectably in his Hoops debut at Rangers last month while slotting in at left-back. Postecoglou will hope he delivers a similarly no-nonsense display against Real Betis if Celtic are without Taylor through injury.
Taylor has been Postecoglou’s first-choice at left-back since taking charge in Glasgow this summer. He was also a regular under former Hoops manager Neil Lennon, who often praised his £2.2m signing while at Parkhead.
The Northern Irishman particularly praised the 23-year-old for his role in Celtic’s 5-0 win over Hearts in February 2020. He said, via the official Hoops Twitter feed: “I thought Greg Taylor was tireless tonight. I thought he had a great game.”
Lennon also praised Taylor this February after regaining his place in the Celtic backline from former loanee Diego Laxalt. Noting, via The Scottish Sun: “Greg is playing very well and he has a great attitude. He has been very consistent of late, and he is a really good footballer.”
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