'The door is not closed' – Brendan Rodgers on his long conversation with Greg Taylor

Last month, speculation emerged suggesting the 27-year-old Scotland international was attracting interest from clubs in England and overseas, amid claims he had received an improved contract offer.

Speaking ahead of this Saturday’s Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen, Rodgers was once again asked about any updated information regarding Taylor’s situation. He said: “I don’t know, you’d better ask him.”

‘The door is not closed’

“I had a long conversation with Greg yesterday. The door is not closed. I think probably both he and I are just focusing on the performance level of the team, and once the season’s over on Saturday, then he’ll have a bit more thinking time and space to be able to do that.”

“I wouldn’t shut the door totally on it. I gave my feelings of what may happen a number of weeks back, just having experienced so many of these situations and what it can look like. I would definitely say it’s not 100 per cent that it’s going to be his last game – I think I’ve put on record a number of times my keenness to keep him here.”

As Kieran Tierney prepares for a return to Celtic this summer after nearly six years at Arsenal, many believe Taylor’s playing time could be significantly reduced should he remain and vie for a spot against the incoming full-back.

“I believe it can work with him and Kieran”

Nonetheless, Rodgers prefers to face that dilemma in the upcoming season. “I believe it can work with him [Taylor] and Kieran [Tierney] being here with the number of games we have and the different types of games that we need to play,” said Rodgers.

“It can definitely work, but there has to be an agreement between him and his representatives in the club. And if that’s not reached, then he won’t be here, and he will move on.”

“It’s not all on Greg either. I think it’s something that there needs to be a solution between the two parties.”

Rodgers added: “It’s not all on Greg either. I think it’s something that there needs to be a solution between the two parties. Everybody recognises that this is a big contract for him. And a big contract in terms of this will carry him for the next four or five years.”

“At 27, that’s one of your last big contracts as a player. So, everything has to be right, and that’s become a father recently as well. So, there are lots of things that he has to take care of on that side. And I’ve always tried to respect that space that he’s needed for that. And it’s not all financial.”

“I’ve made it clear all the way along that I’m very keen for him to stay”

“So, that’s where it’s at. I’ve made it clear all the way along that I’m very keen for him to stay. He’s loved his time here. He’s enjoyed playing. And he’s a real part of what we’re doing here. So, hopefully, it can find its way out to him being here. But if not, then we’ll have lost a fantastic young player.”

Conor Spence