THERE is every possibility Greg Taylor could be rivalling Kyogo Furuhashi in the Celtic goalscoring stakes if the club played Livingston every week.
The defender scored three goals last season – and two of them came against David Martindale’s West Lothian outfit.
Taylor will never become famous for his striking exploits – his other goal came in the 4-3 win over Hearts at Tynecastle on October 22 – but he certainly thrives on meetings with Livi.
CHEERS…Greg Taylor celebrates with his Celtic team-mates after scoring at Livingston in October.
The Scotland international left-back swept in one in the Hoops 3-0 victory – just eight days after his effort in Edinburgh – and he repeated the feat with a first-time drive to open the scoring in another 3-0 success at Parkhead at the start of February.
Taylor is poised to line up against his ‘lucky’ opponents in the 12.30pm kick-off on their notorious plastic pitch tomorrow and he is looking forward to achieving three points for the visitors, irrespective of who gets on the scoresheet for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
The former Kilmarnock full-back said: “I scored there last season. It was a nice goal to be fair – I enjoyed it.
“It’s been a difficult game every time we have played at Livingston. David Martindale sets up his teams really well.
“He knows what their strengths are and he plays to it. So, we have got to be aware of our own strengths and try to play our football.”
The 25-year-old defender was involved as the Hoops got their Champions League quest off to a disastrous start with a 2-0 loss to Feyenoord in Rotterdam on Tuesday where Gustaf Lagerbiekle and Odin Hom were red-carded by the Bosnian referee.
CHEERS…Greg Taylor is congratulated by Matt O’Riley after netting the opening goal in February’s 3-0 win over Livingston at Parkhead.
Taylor, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “Coming back to domestic action, it is a big change, of course, but one thing this club demands is winning.
“That is the exciting part. Every game you’ve got to have the same focus and give the same performance. The fans expect that and demand that.
“I think it’s physically demanding in both ways. The Champions League is the elite, so you are pushing your body to the very limit.
“But then, you’ll play Saturday and maybe changing style a little. Livingston will be quite physical, so that is another challenge. It’s just something you’ve got to deal with.”