Celtic were provided with their toughest test yet when they survived a scare to see off Falkirk in the League Cup on Sunday.
Given that Brendan Rodgers’ side were coming up against a second-tier side, it was like they were battling up against a high-level team in the Premiership.
Rodgers did ring the changes from Celtic’s Champions League win in midweek, with Kasper Schmeichel, Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor the only ones keeping their places in the XI.
One man who was rotated or rested was Greg Taylor and Charlie Mulgrew made some interesting comments about the player at half-time.
Falkirk kept hitting Celtic again and again, including taking the lead on two occasions, with the team’s left-hand side struggling to cope with their direct, aggressive and fast-paced nature.
That’s why Mulgrew was keen to point out that Taylor was a ‘big miss’ and he came onto the pitch after an hour for Alex Valle.
Mulgrew admitted that he wouldn’t have been saying such words about Taylor ‘eight months ago’, but he is now a ‘huge part of this squad’, as he told Premier Sports (22/09/24 at 4:00 pm)
The Bhoys were still losing heading into the final 20 minutes, but then Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn turned the screw and five goals were registered in next to no time.
Greg Taylor’s importance to Celtic
“He’s a big miss (when he isn’t playing),” said Mulgrew. “The way he finds the pockets in midfield and the way he defends.
“I think he has been a huge miss. Who would have said that about six months ago or eight months ago? Greg Taylor is a huge part of this squad.
Celtic still going strong
Perhaps Celtic needed to get that out of their system, but a win and progression to the semi-finals is all that matters.
Yes, some players didn’t take their chances, but time and patience is needed because this squad is strong.
READ MORE: Simon Donnelly explains the positive outlook that Celtic new boys pressed home vs Falkirk
Celtic have started with a bang in the Champions League and many are expecting them to progress to the knockout stages.
Added to the fact that two extra games will be played during this new league phase, this squad is going to be stretched and it will test those on the bench as much as anybody else.
