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Brendan Rodgers offers Celtic update on Greg Taylor contract and Alistair Johnston injury

Celtic pair Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston could bag new contracts
-Credit: (Image: SNS Group)


Brendan Rodgers has offered a Celtic update on both the fitness of Alistair Johnston and contract talks with Greg Taylor.

The Hoops right-back had to be subbed off as Canada beat the USA in the first of their double header during the international break and then wasn't involved as they went on to draw with Mexico in their second. Rodgers revealed the 25-year-old had a tightness going into the game before the break, the derby win over Rangers.

He felt a repeat of that on international duty and his removal from the action was a precaution rather than a sign of anything serious. The Northern Irishman has praised the Canada set-up and manager Jesse Marsch for their handling of the player, who has trained well since his return and should be able to take his place in the team to face Hearts.

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Rodgers said: "Jesse [Marsch] was sensible with Ali in terms of how he felt in the game. They took him off and sent him back. It was just a precaution, really. He had similar going into the Rangers game. We were able to protect him and he's travelled, gone away, felt a little bit of tightness, and [Canada] managed him really well. We brought him back and he's trained well."

Meanwhile, the Celts boss was quizzed on the situation with Greg Taylor's contract. The first-pick left-back's current deal is up next summer and despite reports of talks being held, supporters are still awaiting news.

Rodgers is hopeful an agreement can be reached and waxed lyrical about the Scotland international's attributes, both technically and physically.

"No update," he admitted. "I really hope that we can get something organised on that. He's a fantastic player for us, how he makes that position work, how we want it to look, he's first class.

"He knows we really want him to stay and hopefully between his representatives and the club, we can organise that because he is a player that I really rate. I've seen him grow here from the outside looking in and obviously having the chance to work with him now for over a season.

"I really like everything about Greg. I love his personality, I love his spirit, I love how he plays the game of course. He plays the game like a midfield player coming from that outside position in, so he really makes it difficult for the opposition.

"He's technically strong for what we could say smaller in stature, he competes in his duels, he wins headers, so he does a lot of really good things in games which I really like and really appreciate. I really hope that we can tie him down in this period now. That would be a real priority for us to try and get something sorted for him."