Celtic fans were left a tad confused at the sight of dozens of extra stewards circling the pitch at the final whistle against Livingston the other night.
It turned out the hi-viz jacket crew were just doing a bit of training but certainly there’s no need to beef up security on the field as Ange Postecoglou has turned Parkhead into the most impenetrable fortress in Scottish football. The Aussie has yet to suffer a domestic defeat on home soil since he landed from Japan in the summer of 2021. Chuck in the six games at the tail end of the season Hoops fans have erased from their memory banks and it’s now 37 games without loss for Celts on their own patch.
It was two years ago last week the last time Hoops fans went home from Parkhead with the hump and there was no danger of any bumps on Wednesday when Livingston became the latest side to suffer a sore one in Glasgow’s East End. Greg Taylor knows success is built on having strong foundations at home but as far as the full back is concerned it’s about rewarding supporters regardless of where they are.
He said: “We aim to win every game home or away. We’ve an amazing support at home but equally when we go away we take a strong following. We just want to continue to play for the fans and hopefully get the wins.”
There another reason it was home sweet home for Taylor against Livingston as he notched his first goal in front of the Parkhead punters. The 25-year-old took his tally to three for the season and five overall for Celts but his only other strike at Celtic Park came in a covid-hit echo chamber against KR Reykjavik in a Champions League qualifier three years ago.
The Livi dig was a sizzler to kick-start a comfortable night and Taylor, who is relishing his return from injury, said: “ Reo Hatate did well to pick me out in the box and it was a case of trying to keep it on target. Thankfully it went in. This is my most prolific season by a long way! That’s only three, so it’s not crazy numbers.
“But it’s the best feeling in the world when the ball hits the back of the net. I think tonight was the first time I’ve done it here with fans in, so it was nice.
“It was good to be back, any player hates missing games. I was unfortunate to pick up a wee injury but the boys have been outstanding and hopefully we can continue that.”
Celtic are making it look easy at Celtic Park but it’s a heck of a lot harder than it looks with most sides driving the team bus on to the pitch to park on the 18-yard line.
Taylor said: "Every team in this league as their own way of setting up and it varies game to game. Livingston have had a very good season and I’m sure that’ll continue. It was just about sticking to our beliefs, we believe that’s the best way of getting success. They maybe play a wee bit longer and Davie Martindale’s got a well-drilled side playing really well.
“I thought the first half-hour was pretty good as well. We had good control without getting the breakthrough. Once the goal goes in it changes “Livingston’s game plan. They had to come out a bit more and we got a few more opportunities which we took in the first-half.”
It wasn’t just the scores of extra stewards who protected Parkhead. Postegolou’s squad also has plenty of reinforcements.
On Wednesday it was the likes of Liel Abada on the bench, along with new boys Tomoki Iwata and Oh Hyeon-gyu, plus Sead Haksabanovic and Yuki Kobayashi. Taylor has Alexandro Bernabei for company in the left back fight but it doesn’t bother the Scotland star.
He said: “It’s always competitive at a club this size, you can’t rest on what you’ve done in the previous game, you’re 90 minutes away from a disaster because you’ve always got someone breathing down your neck. And when they get an opportunity they often take it. We’ve a strong squad and a big squad so our aim is to train as hard as we can and hope for an opportunity at the weekend. If players come in or leave it’s above our heads, we concentrate on training and games.
“I think we only have Tony out and he’s back training. Everyone’s pushing, everyone’s eager and everyone wants an opportunity. It’s rare for anyone who does get an opportunity not to take it because the standard of training is so good throughout the week. You can’t afford to be off it even one day in training or your place has gone.”
Taylor’s place is secure though as he’s been one of the stars of the season under Postecoglou. He’s got a new man on the other side with Alistair Johnston replacing Josip Juranovic – but the Canada ace has slotted in seamlessly.
Taylor said: “The manager touched on it that it took myself, Jura, Tony Ralston a bit of time to grasp the system, and we had good days and bad days at it. Ally’s an international player and he’s got a great attitude.”
The same goes for skipper Callum McGregor, who didn’t let a broken nose prevent him from producing another dominating performance the other night.
Taylor said: “He’s unbelievable, he’s a leader, a top player, a top guy. He’s so consistent in every game and he makes it easier for the boys around him. I love playing with him and love having him as the captain. He thinks his nose broken it but I don’t believe it. I think he just wanted a cuddle but with or without the mask he’s doing all right.”
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