Greg Taylor knows his Celtic worth and deserves more love as fellow local hero reveals contract disadvantage

Paul Hartley is well aware of how Celtic’s Scots can be seen as lesser names and how that can affect discussions over new deals

Paul Hartley reckons it’s crucial to appreciate local Celtic heroes such as Greg Taylor.

The Scotland star’s current contract with the champions is coming to an end and no new deal has been agreed with the club.

At this stage, it appears Taylor could be heading out of the door when his current contract expires at the end of the campaign with the arrival of Kieran Tierney also looming.

However, boss Brendan Rodgers stated at the weekend he would “fight to the very end for a player and a person like Greg” after the 27-year-old again displayed his abilities with an outstanding performance in the win over Kilmarnock.

Taylor is amongst a core group of Scottish stars at Parkhead alongside the likes of skipper Callum McGregor and James Forrest and Hartley knows that feeling.

During his spell in Glasgow’s East End, he shared the title-winning stage with home heroes such as Barry Robson and Gary Caldwell.

And, while the likes of Artur Boruc, Shunsuke Nakamura, Georgios Samaras and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink sprinkled the foreign magic, the local boys also had a vital part to play.

Hartley says the importance of stars such as Taylor should not be underestimated as he smiled and said: “It’s just because we’re Scottish and we’re not, maybe, box office, big name!”

But when it was put to him that it can be tougher for Scots stars when it comes to contract situations and demands, he continued: “Sometimes it is and he’s not probably came for a big fee either coming from Kilmarnock to Celtic. But sometimes you’ve got to try and appreciate the players a little bit more.

“And, then if he’s obviously looking for a contract what he thinks he’s worth and he has been a good player for Celtic over that period of time.”

Of course, as Taylor approaches a key point in his career, the need to play regularly is vital and Hartley understands that may be a factor.

Celtic could put a deal in front of left-back Taylor that swings it as the Cove Rangers boss said: “Yeah and there’s a good security for him.”

But the desire for action is key in a thought process as the former midfielder continued: “But Taylor might look at it and say, ‘I’m not guaranteed first-team football. And, at the stage his career he’s at, he wants to try and play every week and he’s maybe not guaranteed that at Celtic.

“Obviously, with Tierney coming back, then he might see his future somewhere else, but he can play in a number of positions and he’s been a strong signing.

“It’s not easy coming from Kilmarnock to establish yourself in the Celtic team and he has certainly done that.

“You need two players for every position, that’s for sure, and Tierney might not play every game.

“He’s going to be a brilliant signing. He’s still at a good age but he’s had a lot of injuries over his career and you need two good players in every position.

“Obviously you want to try and play in the best league possible. Your career’s quite short. You’ve got to try and secure your family also in that period.

“He’s at an age now where he maybe sees his future elsewhere.”

Of course, as Rodgers looks to try and maintain the lofty standards at Celtic, he is planning his next moves in terms of squad restructure and reshape.

The manager is clear it’s vital to freshen up the unit to keep the quality of performances at the highest level on a consistent basis.

Tierney’s arrival is the beginning of that process and Hartley understands Rodgers making tweaks as he said: “I just think you always need to improve. You need to get better. People talk about the top end of the pitch and that’s vital.

“Obviously with Kyogo going and then (Daizen) Maeda stepping in there but sometimes you’ve got to have four strikers at a club that you can rotate, especially if you’re competing on the European stage.

“You might look at the middle of the pitch. Wingers-wise, they’re good.

“At the back, you’re always trying to improve and, if you’re in Europe, you have to have two players for every position.”

Taylor’s situation may also impact those needs for the summer, but, having featured alongside him and McGregor during the last outing against Killie, Forrest was keen to stress the contribution which has been made by his team-mate.

The winger says his colleague has been unreal during his time at the club.

Forrest is also a valuable home star for Rodgers and, heading into Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone with the club just a point from securing another Premiership title, Forrest is on the brink of becoming Celtic’s most-decorated individual in terms of winners’ medals.

Hartley said: “He’s had some career, hasn’t he?”