NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Lyle Taylor of Charlton Athletic applauds after the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Charlton Athletic at City Ground on February 11, 2020 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
According to Sky Sports (h/t Daily Record), Scottish champions Celtic are in talks with former Charlton striker Lyle Taylor.
The 30-year-old Taylor was excellent this season for Charlton, scoring 11 goals from 22 league games before he refused to play for them following the coronavirus lockdown. Taylor, whose contract with Charlton was set to expire at the end of summer opted to sit out the remaining Championship fixtures, which saw Lee Bowyer’s side getting relegated.
The veteran striker admitted that a dream to play at a higher level was the reason behind his decision to not play, added with the fear that a bad injury would hamper such a move. Meanwhile, Taylor is an experienced customer with 142 career goals to his name from 386 matches, playing in a variety of leagues including Championship and League One among many.
A free agent following the expiry of his Addicks contract, Taylor has now come under the radar of Celtic boss Neil Lennon. The Hoops boss, on the other hand, is looking to add more firepower to his attack as they aim for a consecutive tenth Premiership title next season.
Taylor is one among the many forwards Lennon has on his radar, and has identified him as a suitable candidate to bolster Celtic’s squad. Taylor is not someone new to the Scottish Premiership, having already played for Partick Thistle and Falkirk in the past.
He played 35 Premiership games while on loan with Thistle from Sheffield United and impressed with 11 goals and 6 assists, proving that he is nothing short of talent. Meanwhile, Lennon’s Celtic were in sensational form last year, winning the Premiership title and the Scottish League Cup.
One of the main reasons for the side’s success last season is the impressive form of star forward Odsonne Edouard, who scored 27 goals for them across all competitions.
The young Frenchman’s excellent goal-scoring prowess has made him one of the most sought out strikers in Europe. Apart from Edouard, Celtic just have one established striker – Leigh Griffiths in their squad, while the rest are yet to impress boss Lennon.
That said, Celtic’s move for experienced striker Taylor seems like a safe bet, with the side aiming for their tenth successive league title. Moreover, he is a free agent right now and would save the Hoops plenty of money and time, which otherwise they would have to spend on a new striker. Hence, Celtic must continue with their efforts to sign Taylor and bring him to Parkhead as soon as possible.
It is evident that Celtic lack established strikers in their ranks apart from Edouard and Griffiths, and Taylor’s arrival will offer boss Lennon an extra option in the attack. Though Taylor is already past his thirties, his form with Charlton last season suggests that he has plenty of football left in him, meaning he would be a valuable asset for Celtic if they succeed in landing him.
