Jackie McNamara says he expected departed Celtic star to be main left-back amid honest Greg Taylor verdict

Celtic’s left-back spot has been a huge talking point this season.

It has been a campaign of pure drama for Greg Taylor, who has had so many things swirling around him, especially around his future.

From being Celtic’s starting left-back to then finding himself on the bench, Taylor is now back in the XI, especially after the 55th Premiership title was delivered for Scotland’s most successful club on Saturday.

As of this moment, it seems as though Taylor will be leaving Celtic in the summer, despite Brendan Rodgers being so protective of the player and wanting him to stay.

Of course, Kieran Tierney will return to Parkhead next season, and that seems to be a big reason as to why Taylor could opt against penning a new deal because he won’t be seen as the main guy.

But Jackie McNamara feels that a man, who recently headed for the Celtic Park exit door, was supposed to be or was going to be the club’s main left-back.

Photo by Richard Callis/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Greg Taylor and Alex Valle at Celtic

Celtic signed Alex Valle on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona, but then that was cut short in the winter, amid the talk around Tierney.

The Arsenal man didn’t arrive in January, so instead, the powers that be brought in Jeffrey Schlupp from Crystal Palace.

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McNamara made it clear that he expected Valle to come in and ‘be that left-back choice’, as he praised Taylor for his improvement and how he has become a ‘totally different player’, as he told Sky Sports Football (26/04/25).

“I think he has been a great signing for them,” said McNamara about Taylor. “He has been in the team and seen a number of left-backs off.

“Bernabei, Bolingoli, even Valle coming from Barcelona. You expected him to be the left-back choice.

“Kieran (Tierney), for me, coming in for next season, coming with Champions League quality. It’s whether or not Greg Taylor stays to fight for that place with him. You would have Kieran come in in a big way.

“That’s what Greg will need to see, if he will come in and challenge for that place. But I think he has been a terrific signing. I think he has improved year on year, since today, he is a totally different player.”

Valle’s stats for Celtic before January exit

Valle was showing great promise in Celtic colours, but it seems as though this talk of Tierney got everyone excited, some thought he was going to arrive in January, so the Spanish youngster left.

It’s a shame because Valle is now going strong at FC Como, and it seems as though he will secure a permanent transfer to Cesc Fabregas’s side next season.

Nonetheless, Valle was handed a rating of over seven by WhoScored for his Premiership performances, as he only played 200 minutes in the Champions League.

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