Arsenal fullback Kieran Tierney believes Celtic defender Greg Taylor should be a “contender” for the Hoops’ Player of the Year.

The 25-year-old has not always been a fan favourite, having initially struggled following his arrival from Kilmarnock in 2019, but he has now firmly established himself as a regular starter under manager Ange Postecoglou. Tierney believes the left-back deserves huge credit for turning things around:

“Greg, for me, is a contender for player of the year. He came through a hard time at Celtic with the Covid situation and the missing out on 10. But we always knew he was going to be a great player for the club. Greg’s different from me. He’s got his own strengths. He’s very technical and on the ball he’s among the best there is. I’m so happy he’s established himself in the team. I love him as a person and we text each other weekly.”

Taylor’s importance to the team can be demonstrated by the fact that he has started 22 matches in all competitions this season, including all six Champions League group games.

The defender has kept his place despite the addition of Alexandro Bernabei, who joined from Lanus in the summer, and he seems to be relishing the competition.

Taylor was sidelined with a hamstring injury that he picked up against Rangers at the start of the month, but he has been pictured in training this week, along with Cameron Carter-Vickers. We shall see if he features against Dundee United on Sunday.