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Greg Taylor and Kieran Tierney have been Scotland team-mates Greg Taylor says it would be unfair to suggest the return of Kieran Tierney forced him to leave Celtic and join PAOK. Manager Brendan Rodgers wanted to retain the 27-year-old's services despite agreeing in January the return of fellow Scotland defender Tierney once his contract ran out this summer with Arsenal. It had been widely speculated that the possibility of Tierney becoming Celtic's first choice left-back led Taylor to reject the chance to extend his six-year stay with the Scottish champions. "I would certainly not say that's fair, " Taylor told Sky Sports. "I think there's been competition for my place at Celtic in the whole six years I was there and it was not something I ever shirked from. From Vardy to Hagi - Scottish Premiership free agent options? Who has your Premiership club brought in & let go? - summer 2025 "I loved that, it drove me on, it helped me find my best level. So, no, I wouldn't say it was particularly Kieran coming back. It was just that I felt that it was probably the right time for me to try something different. " Taylor, who won 11 trophies and made more than 200 appearances for Celtic, said leaving was "the biggest decision" of his career. "When I left Kilmarnock back in 2019, it was that bit easier because I was progressing, " he said. "I wanted to go and try and play for the biggest team in Scotland and I think at that time there probably weren't many who believed I would play as many games as I did, but the one person that really did was myself. "I was lucky to go and play 200-plus games for Celtic, which was unbelievable. It wasn't easy, there was a million things to weigh up, but I just felt it was the right time to do it. I wanted to play regularly and that's probably the big factor. " Taylor admitted he had to give consideration to the fact he was walking away from the prospect of Champions League football this season. "Yeah, it is, " he said when asked if that was something he thought about. "But I think in Greece that's one thing that was attractive about going to play was you've got those atmospheres, that intensity in the games, there's many big clubs in the league that are all competing for the title. " Taylor revealed that he had other options but was impressed "to be shown that love" by PAOK, who were keen for him to become part of their 100-year anniversary next year. "It was clear it was a big club and an important season, " he said. "I thought it was the time to take the jump. "It's going to be a real special season. The best way to make it special is by winning something and that something being the league. We're excited for that challenge. " Visit our Celtic page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Get Celtic news notifications in the BBC Sport app Diogo Jota was on way to catch ferry when car crashed, after doctor advised against flying England slip to 25-3 after India pile up 587 Wimbledon: Draper and Cilic save break points in tight first set - watch, listen & follow Timeless hits from a 90s icon Reflections on Back to the Future, 40 years on The gaggle of ghouls in a haunted US mansion are back Uncovering a state-sanctioned Scottish social experiment 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' How Mc Tominay became a Napoli icon after Man Utd exit Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs 'Jota was a natural goalscorer always feared by defences' Jota's final goal for Liverpool wins Merseyside derby. Video Jota's final goal for Liverpool wins Merseyside derby 'That was the best Raducanu has played since 2021 US Open win' Video'That was the best Raducanu has played since 2021 US Open win' How is Arsenal's attacking refresh shaping up? 'It's movie stuff' - Dutch-born Holland to make All Blacks debut Kookaburra conundrum - can county cricket have too many runs? Like Nadal, why does 'leftie' Draper have an advantage? Video Like Nadal, why does 'leftie' Draper have an advantage? Why is Alcaraz not world number one? Video Why is Alcaraz not world number one? Is it conceivable that Mercedes could drop Russell for Verstappen? Meet the only English manager at the Euros 'I can't hear it' - Wimbledon's first day of electronic calling Have we watched Messi's final game on global stage? Verstappen, Russell and Mercedes - what factors are at play? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.