Celtic travel to face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Wednesday knowing a point will see them crowned league champions for a third season in a row.
Following their 2-1 victory against Rangers last weekend, the Bhoys all but ended their rivals’ Scottish Premiership title hopes; however, Brendan Rodgers is insistent the job isn’t done yet heading into his side’s final two league fixtures.
He stated: “We’re not over the line yet, but we’re in a great place. We have a six-point advantage with two games to go, and we’ve got an extra goal difference on the scoreboard as well.”
Undoubtedly, Celtic need to keep their focus and gain at least the point needed to get over the line. Rangers take on Dundee on Tuesday, which could offer an earlier mathematic solution if they fail to take three points at Ibrox.
Either way, there isn’t any point in getting too wrapped up in permutations, as games in hand can be fraught with uncertainty, something the Hoops know all too well when casting an eye across the city.
On Wednesday, Greg Taylor will return to the club that gave him his senior debut. Regardless, he isn’t letting sentiment cloud his motivations for a fixture that could be a defining moment in Celtic’s season.
Greg Taylor is motivated to claim the title at Rugby Park
Scotland international Taylor is the only senior left-back on the books at Parkhead and has been a stalwart under Rodgers, registering three goals and five assists in 43 appearances across all competitions [Transfermarkt].
Despite Celtic failing to strengthen his position in January, the 26-year-old has been a dependable asset, wearing his heart on his sleeve every time he’s stepped out onto the pitch.
In preparation to face his former club, Taylor has acknowledged the difficulty of facing a Kilmarnock side that has taken two victories and one draw off the Bhoys this term; nevertheless, he is confident they will be facing a ‘different animal’ once both teams lock horns in Ayrshire.
Taylor stated when asked if Celtic’s recent form has galvanized them for the trip [The Daily Record]: “I completely agree. Definitely. That’s the key point. If you look back at the team from then to us now, we’re a totally different animal.
He later added on his pre-existing relationship with Kilmarnock: “I don’t think it’s of much significance to me, honestly. I had an amazing time at Kilmarnock, and I’m really grateful to the club, but I’m a Celtic player now, and I really want to win for this club more than anything.”
Celtic are hungry to taste success at Rugby Park
Regardless of results elsewhere potentially determining the final outcome of the title race, Celtic will be hungry to put on a performance and avenge some of their frustrations at Rugby Park this campaign.
Rodgers’ men exited the Scottish League Cup at the first hurdle back in August; meanwhile, four months later, they also lost out in Ayrshire as the first of back-to-back league defeats.
On both occasions, supporters felt widespread disappointment, and it would be nice to rectify that in front of a healthy away crowd that could see their side clinch the Scottish Premiership.