You should have been Left Back in the changing rooms…

Ross H looks at the most challenging position in the team

It can’t have been fun for any left back who ever had a bad game when I was growing up, we always used that line to tell them we thought they’d been pish. Funnily enough it’s a line I’ve also heard many Celtic fans use when discussing many of the players who have played left back for us over the last 20+ years.

Alex “Frankie” Valle and quarter of a season, Lee Naylor, Danny Fox, Diego Laxalt, Edson Braafheid, Mo Camara and probably a few others that I’ve forgotten over the years… oh and our tiny wee Argentine Alexander Bernabei, how could I forget the future Brazil international who is rumoured to be releasing a book on Glasgow nightlife through the publisher Last Call / Time Please.

In that time, we’ve had 2 who have played with a level of consistency and ability that seen them own the role for periods of time. The man who has packed his shopping bags and is now on his way home, Kieran Tierney, and Greg Taylor. Now everyone knows that these 2 players are viewed differently. Tierney like a much-loved son and Taylor at times is like that annoying nephew that has moments where everyone loves him but then he knocks the table with the booze over by accident, but everyone has decided that he meant it, and so he gets slated and any little mishap comes with the automatic assumption that he is at fault… him or Liam Scales who is often found stood beside him.

Around 2 weeks ago I had been told there was a very real chance that Kieran and Greg might be roomies on away trips next season, with minor details to be ironed out and I had no reason not believe that as the person has been good for info before. I have since learned from someone else a lot closer to it that while talks continued after Greg knocked back a deal over the winter that was described to me as one even his haters would laugh at, there hasn’t been an official offer laid in front of him since then. When I cheekily enquired about the sort of terms that Greg might be looking for the response was simple and one that I can get on board with as someone who doesn’t have an irrational hatred for him….