Brendan Rodgers is optimistic that Greg Taylor could yet stay on at Celtic despite the full-back apparently bidding his farewells after trophy day last week.
Out of contract this summer, the 27-year-old has been unable to agree a new deal with Rodgers himself recently stating that he believed the player would be moving on.
Taylor seemed to confirm that by taking to social media last weekend with a post which said, ‘lived it and loved it’.
Asked if Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final would be the full-back’s final game for Celtic, though, the manager felt the situation was not yet finalised.
‘I had a long conversation with Greg yesterday. The door’s not closed,’ he said.
‘I think probably both he and I will just focus on the performance level of the team. And I think once the season’s over on Saturday then he’ll have a bit more thinking time with a lot more space to be able to do that.
Greg Taylor could yet stay at Parkhead despite it seeming he was set to leave in the summer
‘I wouldn’t shut the door totally on it. I think I gave probably a number of weeks back my feeling what may happen, just having experienced so many of these situations and what it can look like. I would definitely say it’s not 100 per cent it’ll be his last game.’
Rodgers reiterated his belief that the number of games in Celtic’s average season could satisfy the demands of both Taylor and the returning Kieran Tierney.
‘I think I’ve put on record a number of times my keenness to keep him here, believing that it can work with him and Kieran being here with the number of games we have and the different types of games that we need to play,’ added Rodgers.
‘And also because of Kieran and his situation coming back and especially in this early part of the season when there’s a lot of games, it can definitely work.
‘But there has to be an agreement between himself and his representatives and the club and if that’s not reached then he won’t be here.
‘He’ll move on. It’s certainly not closed as of yet.’
Rodgers remains hopeful that a compromise can be reached between Celtic’s hierarchy and Taylor’s representatives in the coming days.
‘It’s not all on Greg either,’ he explained. ‘I think it’s something that there needs to be that solution between the two.
‘(Like) every player, he recognises this is a big contract for him in terms of that this will carry him for the next four or five years. And at 27, that’s one of your last big contracts as a player.
Brendan Rodgers appears keen to have Taylor and Kieran Tierney in his squad next season
‘So, everything has to be right. He’s become a father recently as well. So, there’s lots of things that he has to take care of on that side and I’ve always tried to respect that space that he’s needed for that. And it’s not all financial.’
Meanwhile, Rodgers has expressed his delight as seeing Ange Postecoglou lift the Europa League with Tottenham.
The Australian won five trophies in his two years in Glasgow before making good on his promise to Spurs fans that he always wins something in his second season at a club by defeating Manchester United in Bilbao.
‘It was brilliant,’ said Rodgers. ‘I am so pleased for Ange on a personal level.
‘It’s obvious been a tough season and he’s had to cope with a lot of nonsense this year.
‘So, to see him so happy at the end of the game with the team, I was really pleased for him.
‘He’s been held up to that statement he made, but it’s absolutely brilliant. He’s worked very hard and brought an idea to the club and tried to change a culture, which is never easy.
‘So, to arrive there and do that, and give the club Champions League again, is great.’
