Top Line Summary

  • Focusing on Scottish Cup semi-final
  • Peaking at the right time
  • Not worrying about Rangers recent results
  • Crediting Peter Leven for his own development 
  • Finish the season strongly

Everything that Greg Taylor said ahead of Celtic's Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden 

How are the players feeling about this match?

Excited. It is always nice to get back to Hampden. We've had real success there but we know it will be a difficult game tomorrow.

People talk about momentum and peaking at the right time. Do you feel Celtic are doing both just now?

Yes. It's the business end of the season and we always want to finish strongly. It's been a big part of the success we have had in previous seasons. We understand this is a new season and there are 'x' amount of games left to do that.

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Is there an added determination to win this trophy having missed out on the first one?

I wouldn't say it is added but it is important for us. It's vital that we win silverware at this club. Every season, every competition we enter we try and win. The Scottish Cup is no different.

Talking of silverware, you must feel more confident in terms of where you are now in the league. I know you can only look after your own business but would that be the case?

We want to be on top but we also know there are five league games left. When the league comes back we will be fully focused on that. For now and this week the preparation has been fully on Aberdeen and the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.

Can Aberdeen be a different opponent when they have a manager in waiting?

I think they will be a difficult opponent and that showed in the games that we have had with him this year. Their league form has not been what they would have wanted there is no secret about that but I think Peter Leven has got them playing some stuff. I worked with Peter at Kilmarnock and I know he is a real top coach. I am sure it will be a really difficult game.

In terms of the league obviously, the focus has been on the Scottish Cup this week. Do you look at the Rangers results when they drop? They have had two massive games in the title race. Do you talk about that in the changing room? If not how do you block it out?

I don't think it is something that is discussed but most focus is on ourselves. Of course, you understand what is going on around you. We watch Sky Sports News or whatever is it. You understand every team's results in the league. However, the focus is on ourselves.

Does it give you a boost knowing you have a three-point advantage going into the last five games? It's in your hands, well it already was in your hands but having that breathing space does that give the squad a lift?

I don't think breathing space comes into it. You need to win five games if you want to win the title. That's been no different from two weeks ago. We want to finish strongly in every league game but our focus this week has really been on the Scottish Cup.

You've been through the final stages of the Scottish Cup and the final stage of the league winning it several times since you got here. How much of this season comes down to mentality, holding your nerve and keeping the standards high when the pressure increases?

Exactly. I think that's why it is important we have really strong foundations and a really strong philosophy in how we want to play our football. That's not changed throughout the whole season. There's been strong parts of the season and low parts of the season but I think we are peaking at a good time. We have got a lot of bodies back and hopefully, we can try and reach our top level of football in these last few games.

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Teams are talented, players are talented but is it ultimately going to come down to who deals with the pressure the best?

I think that is a big part of it, handling the pressure in these big games. For us, we work during the week on how we want to play and that is also a big part of it because when it comes to the games at the weekend you know what rhythms or types of patterns you are trying to get into and how we want to play. The coaching staff and the manager can take enormous credit for that as know everything and we know our roles whenever we go into pressurised situations.

Having been over the course and distance before how much does that help when you are in a situation like this?

I don't know if it helps. It just makes you excited for more. There is no better feeling than winning trophies at this club. The success is what you work all season for. It is everything. This is no different now and Saturday is a big one.

You had a wee bit of a sticky patch when the team had that draw at Pittodrie but how much do you think the team is in a much better place now?

Exactly. I think we had a lot of bodies out at that point in time. We were probably not quite in our rhythm but now we seem to be hitting that and we seem to be getting bodies back and hopefully, we can get it over the finish line.

I think that was Peter Leven's first game in caretaker charge (1-1 at Pittodrie). He seemed to get a huge reaction from the Aberdeen players that day. They didn't have a shot on goal in the first half but made up for it in the second. What is it about Leven that the Aberdeen players would respond to having worked with him at Kilmarnock?

I think he is a really honest guy. He wants to play football the right way in my eyes, play from the back and try and control the ball. He was always very invested in youth when I was at Kilmarnock coming though and he put a lot of his own time into trying to make me a better player. He is someone I will always be really grateful to.

He's had a tumultuous season with Aberdeen. He has watched two managers come and go. Having that stability with Peter will that be crucial for Aberdeen?

I am sure it will help as Peter is a really good coach. I am not here to worry about Peter's job. We are here with our full focus on Celtic and trying to get into another cup final.

You have seemed very relaxed all season through various ups and downs. Have you felt relaxed through those dips?

Certainly when you can control it. I was less relaxed when I was injured. You have no control over that. I get very nervous watching the tea, but when you are out there you can have an effect on the game. I feel more in control then.

Do you find a lot of what goes on around the title race is external? People debate who is in the best position and who is not. When you are in it you are just kind of doing your job.

Yes. There is normally a game just around the corner and that has to take your focus. It is for other people to speak about and for fans to dream about - winning trophies and the like. We are purely focused on the next game and trying to reach our levels.

Were you surprised by Rangers recent results?

I don't really take much notice of what other teams are doing. I know their results but in terms of performances across the city that's for them to worry about.

You mentioned the team is in a good place with players coming back. You had a spell where you were for a few weeks but do you feel good now coming into this stage of the season and the wee niggles are gone?

I think I have been pretty lucky during the whole season. I have been pretty consistent in terms of fitness. I had those three weeks that I missed just after the break. I feel good. I feel ready to finish the season strong.