Greg Taylor: Scotland international explains his decision to leave Celtic for Greek side PAOK after 11-trophy haul in Glasgow | Football News

Greg Taylor described his decision to leave Celtic as the most difficult of his career.

The Scottish international joined the Greek team PAOK on Tuesday after choosing not to sign a new contract with the Scottish champions.

Taylor made more than 200 appearances and won 11 trophies during his six years at the club, including five championship titles and a national triple under Angel Postoclolou in 2022/23.

Current director Brendan Rodgers was eager to keep the back left in Glasgow, but the return of Kieran Tierney from Arsenal this summer made Taylor would be used as a backup for his international teammate next season.

“The most difficult decision I had in my career, definitively,” he said Sky Sports News.

“When I left Kilmarnock in 2019, it was a little easier because I was progressing. I wanted to go and try to play for the biggest Scotland team.

“I think that at that time, there was probably not much to believe that I would play as many games as I am, but the only person who did it was myself, and I was lucky to go and play more than 200 games for Celtic, which was incredible.

“It was not easy. There were a million things to weigh, but I just felt that it was the right time to do it. I wanted to play regularly, and it’s probably the big factor.

“There were so many factors in this next decision for me, but the key was that I wanted to play regularly, and I felt that it seemed less likely to Celtic.

“I think there was competition for my place in Celtic in the six years in the six years, and it was not something that I have ever sent myself.

“I loved it, it pushed me, it helped me find my best level. So, no, I wouldn’t say that it was particularly Kieran (Tierney) to come back (who influenced the decision). It’s just that I felt that it was probably the right time for me to try something different.”

Taylor explains the Greek switch

Taylor signed a three -year contract with PAOK, who finished third in the Greek Super League last season and will start this campaign during the qualification of the Europa League.

So, with interest, moreover, why did he choose Greece as the next destination?

“Over the season, it seemed more likely that I would leave Celtic, so Pak, they made a good effort to try to move me forward.

“To be shown that love, and the project, and with its 100th anniversary of next year, it was clear that it was a big club and an important season. So I thought it was time to take the jump.

“At Celtic, I had the chance to win a lot of titles, a lot of trophies, and I think it is something that, especially this season, the club is really impatient to do.

“I think it’s a totally different culture, a completely different league. It is immediately out of my comfort zone, but I think it is something that I am ready to try and it is exciting.

“There were also a few other clubs with whom we had discussions, but it was probably the amount of effort that Pak made to try to convince me to be part of their club which probably made the decision quite easier.

“It’s going to be different, but I don’t think you won anything sitting in your comfort zone, so I thought, why not go and try something?”