7 out of contract stars Celtic could target to replace Greg Taylor: UCL statement of intent chance appears

Celtic will look at their left-back department at the end of the season with Greg Taylor poised for an exit.

Kieran Tierney is returning to the club from Arsenal but will need managed carefully amid injuries in recent seasons. Adam Montgomery is under contract until 2027 but current senior regular Taylor is confirmed by Rodgers to likely be on the way out of Celtic once his deal expires this summer.

He said after beating Hearts 3-0 on Saturday to the BBC: "It's not financial, but I respect his position because he wants to feel he'll play every week. Whoever is in next year with Kieran will still play a lot of games, but my feeling is that Greg may well move on. I know between now and the end of the season he'll give his all. Greg has had a few years in the position and has been superb. He'll also get more games this season."

So if Celtic are going external for their replacement, who could they sign? Here’s a look at seven options who are out of contract come the end of the season.

Sergio Reguilón

Could a call to their former gaffer, Ange Postecoglou, help swing this one into the realm of possibility? The Spaniard has had a hit and miss time at Tottenham that has included loans to Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Brentford. Comes with major pedigree of having come through the Real Madrid academy and has also featured for Spain’s senior national team. If Celtic are serious about progress in the Champions League, having two stars capable of that level in the one position would be a statement of intent. This man fits the bill.

Junior Firpo

Spaniard has been a bombing up and down the left hand side threat for Leeds United in the Championship. He has been one of their key men as they push for a return to the Premier League and would be an option for free that Celtic would know is sharp, but poor form when last at England’s top table would throw some doubt over ability to mix it in Europe.

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Leeds News recently: “Last time he played in the Championship he was good as well. And then he got found out in the Premier League. I think he got exposed. Firpo in particular, I think he’s had a really good season this season, under a lot of pressure. I think he’s under a lot of criticism. But that was for the way that he played in the Premier League and he got found out in the Premier League. Football fans and pundits and ex-players, sometimes you have short memories.

Nicolas Tagliafico

If age isn’t going to be an issue and experience is being sought then there would thinking in looking no further than the Argentine star at Lyon. Has played in and out of the Ligue 1 side this season but is vastly experienced having featured with Ajax predominantly. Lyon were told in November last year that they will be demoted to Ligue 2 at the end of the season if there financial picture does not improve. Even if that’s avoided, a clearout in the summer looks likely and Celtic could pounce to gain some valuable experience for clashes on the continent.

Jeffrey Schlupp

The most obvious candidate. Arrived on loan in the January transfer window and has impressed so far in a Hoops jersey, and is out of contract at Crystal Palace. Not a long-term option but more than capable of another season supporting Tierney.

Rodgers said on Saturday over the chances of a permanent deal: “That's something between now and the end of the season we'll look at. But I don't want to commit too early. He's a great boy. I knew what I was getting, he's a good type. More than a good guy, he can perform and there's more to come from him. Obviously we know we've got Kieran coming in the summer who is high level. We know we'll need to have someone else if Greg moves on."

Mats Köhlert

Currently playing in Holland with Herenveen and is a former German youth international just like Nicolas Kuhn who is currently flying in Hoops. Has been a regular in the Dutch top flight. More of an unknown quality than some on the list but 27 in May so coming into his peak. Played 177 times in the Eredivisie.

Jamal Lewis

Way out the picture at Newcastle United and was last spotted enjoying a bizzare loan in Brazil with Sau Paulo. There would perhaps be questions of whether he could make it at Europe’s top table but established player in England which suggests he has the calibre to fill in for Tierney in a domestic sense. Speaking in September to the Belfast Telegraph while on Northern Ireland duty, Lewis said he was hopeful of a ‘long journey with Sao Paulo”.

He added: “Some people probably thought the move was random and out of the blue and I can’t argue with that. Being a British player I always played in England as most do, but I’ve always expressed an interest in playing abroad. When this came up I thought it was the opportunity and I grabbed it.”

Would a return to the UK appeal to the left-back? Previously had time in the Premier League with West Ham and has been with Olympiacos previously too, now at Besiktas in Turkey. Handling the red hot pressure at Celtic is a factor in how any players rises or falls at Parkhead and Masuaku has played in some of the continent’s fiercest arenas, plus the English top flight. Doesn’t turn 32 until later in the year with attack very much the focus of his game in the left-back area. Again, domestically when it’s Celtic putting all the pressure on teams, that isn’t a bad thing.