Chris Sutton Urges Celtic to Retain £17.5m-Rated Star Greg Taylor After Stellar Season
Celtic legend Chris Sutton has issued a passionate plea to the club’s hierarchy, urging them not to let go of £17.5m-rated left-back Greg Taylor, who has enjoyed an outstanding 2024/25 season. With Taylor’s contract nearing its end and speculation about his future intensifying, Sutton has emphasized the Scotland international’s immense value to Brendan Rodgers’ squad, particularly after a series of standout performances, including a Man of the Match display against Kilmarnock.
Greg Taylor, who joined Celtic from Kilmarnock in 2019, has long been a polarizing figure among the Celtic faithful. While some have criticized his defensive capabilities in high-stakes European matches, his consistency and adaptability in the Scottish Premiership have been undeniable. This season, Taylor has silenced his detractors with a string of impressive performances, cementing his role as a key component of Rodgers’ tactical setup.
Taylor’s ability to play as an inverted full-back, drifting into midfield to create overloads and break down stubborn defenses, has been a cornerstone of Celtic’s domestic dominance. His Man of the Match performance in a 5-1 thrashing of Kilmarnock on April 12, 2025, was a timely reminder of his quality. Sutton, commentating on the match, lauded Taylor’s impact, stating, “Greg Taylor was Man of the Match, what a difference he made.”
Across the season, Taylor has contributed five assists in 18 appearances, including a crucial assist for Reo Hatate’s winner against Aberdeen. His composure on the ball, leadership in the dressing room, and relentless work rate have made him indispensable. Celtic captain Callum McGregor echoed Sutton’s sentiments, describing Taylor as “Europe’s best” in his role, highlighting his unique ability to invert and influence games from the left
Despite his stellar form, Taylor’s future at Celtic remains uncertain. His current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2025, and negotiations for an extension have yet to yield a breakthrough. Reports indicate that Celtic offered Taylor a new deal until 2028, but the 27-year-old rejected an earlier proposal in January, raising questions about his long-term commitment to the club.
The impending return of Kieran Tierney, a Celtic academy graduate and proven Premier League performer, has added further complexity to the situation. Tierney, expected to rejoin the club in the summer, is seen as an upgrade for Champions League matches due to his superior one-on-one defending. However, Sutton has been quick to point out that Taylor’s skill set is distinct and complementary to Tierney’s. “I don’t see Tierney as being able to do [the inverted role] as effectively,” Sutton wrote in his Daily Record column. “Taylor’s ability is invaluable domestically when teams are packing their defenses.”
Sutton also noted that Tierney’s injury history means he is unlikely to play every game, making Taylor’s presence in the squad even more critical. “Kieran Tierney, it’s great him coming back, but how many games is he going to play? You need really strong cover,” Sutton said on Sky Sports. “Greg Taylor has been phenomenal.”
Sutton’s advocacy for Taylor is rooted in both his on-field contributions and his resilience in the face of competition. Over the years, Taylor has outlasted several challengers for the left-back spot, including Boli Bolingoli, Diego Laxalt, and Alex Valle. “Just look at Boli Bolingoli or Alexander Bernabei for examples of past supposed upgrades on Taylor and how he easily saw them off the premises,” Sutton wrote.
The former Celtic striker has called on the club to act swiftly to secure Taylor’s future, even humorously suggesting they “chain him to the front door until he signs a contract extension.” Sutton believes that losing Taylor on a free transfer would be a “major misstep” for Celtic, especially as they prepare for another season of European competition. “It’s clear to anyone that Taylor has big value in a squad,” he added.
Brendan Rodgers has also publicly backed Taylor, emphasizing his importance to the squad’s depth and tactical flexibility. “I’ve spoken so many times about wanting to keep him,” Rodgers said when quizzed by Sutton on Taylor’s future. “The way the league is and how I sometimes like my teams to play, I need a full-back who can come on the inside, give us an overload.”
While some fans have expressed frustration over Taylor’s perceivedinseparable link to the article’s valuation of £17.5m, the debate over his wages is also a sticking point. “If it’s about money, then that’s down purely to Celtic,” Sutton noted. “It surely wouldn’t break the bank to offer Taylor the sort of package which would convince him to stay.”
From a strategic standpoint, retaining Taylor makes sense. With Celtic aiming to compete on multiple fronts, squad depth is crucial. Taylor’s experience, homegrown status, and leadership qualities add intangible value to the team. Losing him would mean finding not one but two new left-backs, as Alex Valle’s loan from Barcelona lacks a buyout clause. This could prove costly and disruptive.
As Taylor weighs his options, the ball is firmly in his court. At 27, he may be tempted by a new challenge, particularly if he seeks regular playing time or a move to a club offering a different level of exposure. However, Sutton believes that Celtic’s offer, combined with the prospect of continued success and a potential guard of honour from teammates, should be enough to sway him. “If an agreement could be reached to keep him at Celtic, I’d imagine there would definitely be a Guard of Honour…
