Brendan Rodgers accused some of the Celtic support of showing “disrespect” towards left-back Greg Taylor by chanting Kieran Tierney’s name towards the end of the 3-0 win over St Mirren.
The Arsenal left-back is close to agreeing with his boyhood club over his return to Glasgow with a pre-contract deal.
Concerned about the impact fan chants could have on current full-back Taylor, Rodgers also urged fans to show more “confidence” in the team after some reacted negatively to a stifling start to the game against the Paisley side .
Taylor headed straight down the tunnel after the win extended Celtic’s lead at the top of the Premiership over Rangers to 13 points, and Rodgers said: “There were a few things I maybe heard at the end there. “That’s a complete miss. of respect.
‘Greg Taylor, he has been absolutely incredible at this club. How do you feel? He almost broke his nose there, bleeding for the club, for a cause.
‘It’s not very respectful. You sing for another player, no matter what Kieran’s story is. I don’t like that.’
Rodgers felt it was unfair that fans were chanting for Tierney while Taylor was on the court.
Taylor, left, greets Trusty after the centre-back scored his first goal for Celtic.
Fans chanted for Tierney, who will replace Taylor on the team upon his return.
Rodgers was happy with Kuhn’s double but less impressed with the fans’ behavior.
Keen to extend his stay in Glasgow beyond this summer, former Kilmarnock full-back Taylor has yet to agree terms on a new contract.
Although the two sides are far apart financially, Rodgers hopes to keep him at the club regardless of when Tierney returns.
“It’s been an ongoing issue, so I’m not exactly sure right now where it is,” Rodgers said.
“But what I know is that he is a young player who has given a lot to this club for several years, consistently. His ability, what he has done for the club. So, that (new contract) needs to be explored.
‘I can only vouch for him since I came here. I’ve taken a look at their numbers before and then at their level of performance, consistency and availability. And during my time here, it’s been absolutely great. I hear things out there, oh, maybe (his performances in) the Champions League. But I’ve had hundreds of Celtic players who haven’t been good enough in the Champions League.
“What I know is that he is a man who gives everything for this club. I hope we can keep him here because we are trying to form a strong team.
You could decide to go somewhere else. But, at the moment, he’s here, he’s very much a Celtic player and we want to support that. Hopefully we can reach some agreement to allow him to stay.”
Asked if Taylor was aware of Tierney’s chants as he headed towards the tunnel at full-time, Rodgers shrugged: “I’m not sure, I haven’t spoken to him, but I don’t think he could miss it.” .
Taylor looks for a header with Roland Idowu during the St Mirren match
Nicolas Kuhn, centre, was Celtic’s hero after scoring his first and third goals.
German winger Kuhn scores the final goal in Celtic’s 3-0 victory over St Mirren
“But what I know is that he is there for the team, he stands up and is counted.” He makes the next mistake again.
‘His availability and consistency over a long period of time has been absolutely brilliant.
‘I congratulate you. Even now I feel a greater appreciation for working closely with him. “I am very hopeful that we will retain him.”
Looking for a reaction after the 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, Rodgers insisted he was always confident his team would bounce back. He called on fans to do the same after a Nicholas Kuhn brace and Auston Trusty’s first goal for the club finally broke St Mirren’s resistance.
Auston Trusty heads Celtic’s second goal and the first in their history with the Champions League
Defender Trusty’s joy at scoring the score was clear to all.
“Our idea is to start the game and be quick and aggressive,” Rodgers said. ‘But it could take 15 to 20 minutes, 29 minutes or so. It may take you 85 minutes. So trust the team and how they are playing.
“You’re not going to be 3-0, 4-0 or 5-0 up before half-time in every game. And that’s not because the players aren’t trying to work. It’s because maybe the other team defends better or we just aren’t good in the pass.
‘But make no mistake, our mentality is to be offensive and creative in our numbers.
‘Yes, trust. Just trust the team. Trust the direction.
‘Trust how the team plays. We’ve seen it constantly now.
‘The consistency of the team has been incredible. The level of the team has been of a very high level.
‘Be supportive. And this way you will get even more out of the team.”