Everything that Celtic defender Greg Taylor said to the media after the 3-0 Scottish Premiership win over Dundee at Dens Park
Have you set yourself up well for Saturday with that performance?
Yeah, it was a strong performance, pretty similar to the Livingston game in terms of where I think we did a lot of the good things in the first half and got the rewards in the second.
Guys know they have to step up, Paulo Bernardo did that, didn't he?
He’s played a lot of the Champions League games, difficult games, and I think he showed up well in them, then in the last couple of weeks he’s had a consistent run in the league and I think he has done well.
Can that see Paulo take off now?
It’s in his hands. I thought he played well [against Dundee]. I thought he made some really strong runs the other night as well. So, hopefully, that can help him.
He’s not claiming the goal is he?
I hope he is! I thought it was pretty good! But, no, it was that run again which I am talking about, making that run into that area and getting on the end of something. There is a wee bit of fortune with how it goes in, but I thought he deserved that with his performance.
READ MORE: Celtic's Rodgers says Abada and Hatate may feature in derby
The manager said Liel (Abada) and Reo (Hatate) could be back on Saturday, how important are these guys?
Exactly. It will be good to have them back not just for the game at the weekend, but just in general we have missed these guys. They have been injured for a long, long time, so to have competition for places and have these guys back who played vital roles last season will only help us.
What do they bring?
I think Reo brings a real dynamism. He’s strong on the ball, creative with real energy in midfield and Liel is a threat in behind always. He’s a goalscorer, so yeah, two guys who are top players for us.
Derby games are always big, but this one feels massive given how close it is in the title race. Do you sense that?
I think every game is important. Saturday is no different. It’s the same as every other league game, it’s only three points on the line. We know that, at home, we want to dominate the ball and put on a strong performance. That’s the next one, so that is the most important right now.
You’ve played in these games before the winter break, do you think it gives you something from it, mentality-wise?
You’ve got another game pretty shortly after it. So our focus now after Dundee is on Saturday and then after that it will be St Mirren. But, for now, we’ll put all focus on that [Rangers] game, yeah.
Do you think people forgot how good a team you were after two bad games?
No, I wouldn’t say so. We had disappointing performances and, when that comes, you get a bit of stick. That’s normal, especially at a club this size. The supporters demand performances and results. The two defeats together weren’t good enough, so, no, I think it was justified we took a bit of stick, but there are a lot of boys in there [dressing room] with big, broad shoulders who can take it and go out and prove [people] wrong.
Do you feel that together, with real unity on Saturday and a full stadium, it could be a marker point?
Yeah. It's an amazing feeling having a stadium full of your fans, getting right behind you and pushing you from the get-go. It’ll be exciting and we are all looking forward to it.
The supporters showed they were right behind you at half-time at Dens Park as they gave you a right rousing reception. How good was it to hear that?
Yeah, they did. I think they were right up for it.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here