Greg Taylor and Celtic had to suffer as Celtic’s Champions League campaign came to a difficult end in Madrid.
But the Parkhead ace still loved every second of the bruising Bernabeu experience against Real. Just like he’s loved every other second of the club’s return to the elite level. Taylor doesn’t feel overawed by such situations. He just relishes the heightened challenge. Ange Postecoglou ’s team were like that as an entire unit through their group-stage return.
Realities were harsh. Punishment was ruthless and margins for error locked at zero. But Taylor savoured it and reckons you are in the wrong job if doesn’t float your boat as a footballer. He said: “Definitely. I have loved it to be honest, playing at this level. It is the best competition in the world. It has been challenging, but so fulfilling when you do compete because you are learning at every moment in the game. You are trying to focus, you are trying to reposition, everything. But it is difficult and Wednesday was as difficult as it comes I think. They were right at it. It was a tough night. But, equally, it gives you a taste for it, you want another crack at it.
"Everyone in that changing room will want to compete at this level. Of course we want better results, that goes without saying. And the fans demand that. It has been difficult, but if you don’t want to compete at this level then you are in the wrong sport. We want to challenge ourselves at the highest level and against the best. Hopefully if we knuckle down domestically we will get another crack at it. We are a determined group as it is, but we know the club demands success, demands to be playing on the biggest of stages. Hopefully we can get another crack.”
After a campaign with plenty of high points, it was a frustrating end as Celtic were on the end of a Real masterclass in efficiency. Taylor was clear on his assessment as he said: “I think throughout the campaign we have performed well at points.
“But, if we are honest with ourselves, Real Madrid had too much for us. They broke on us with speed, power and quality and were clinical. It was difficult.” Celtic’s cause wasn’t helped by two soft penalties given against them in the first period by French referee Stephanie Fraapart and VAR. Taylor conceded: “To lose two penalties in the first-half was disappointing, but that is what VAR is. We benefitted from it at the weekend with a penalty and a handball and it went against us. We can’t be too hard on the boys.
“I didn’t think their arm positions were necessarily making their bodies bigger, but the referee deemed them penalties. It is quite difficult to try and stop these players when you’re doing that [arms by your side.
“But, unfortunately, that’s the way the rule is now. If your hand is just a wee bit away from your body, you get punished. I don’t know. That is for the referees to decide. I focus on playing football. I think we did that in spells, but overall we were beaten by the better side.”
Thibaut Courtois’ penalty save from Josip Juranovic summed up a campaign of missed opportunities for Celtic. Taylor continued: “We look at where we can be better and that is probably being more clinical. We also need to be more resolute at the back and defend as a team better.
“We don’t just defend as a back four, we defend as an 11. Real probably broke through us a bit too easily. There are definite improvements to be made. But equally we know that with another year’s experience we will, if we get back next year, be better equipped.”
Postecoglou demanded his team be brave in the competition and Celtic’s chances weren’t assisted by the loss of key men such as Callum McGregor, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota for various stages of the six-game run.
The skipper and defender missed the Bernabeu and Taylor said: “Losing Cal and Cameron, two mainstays in the team, is disappointing. They are such quality players and at this level you need everyone. But I was delighted for Carl [Starfelt] to be back out there again, albeit on a difficult night for us all.
“He has worked so hard on his rehab and would have wanted to get a successful night, as we all did. But unfortunately it wasn’t to be.”
Celtic travelling support cheered their team from the field afterwards and Taylor commended: “The fans have been unbelievable throughout this whole campaign.
“They have followed us everywhere, they have backed us, they have clapped us off after we got beat 5-1. That is hard for them to take, they deserve more, of course they do. But they are absolutely unbelievable and every one of us in that changing room is so grateful for their support. It is a fanbase like no other.
“It was good for the fans to get something that they deserved when Jota scored. I wish it had been a more critical point in the game, but it was a real moment of quality. We have got three games to go to the break and the first one is Dundee United. So we will rest, recover and be ready to put on a performance at home for the fans.”
