Greg Taylor injury update as Celtic boss Neil Lennon reveals rapid return hope

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon has provided an update on an injury sustained by defender Greg Taylor during his side’s friendly match with Ross County.

Taylor went off in the 44th minute of the 2-0 win after a tough challenge from County’s Connor Randall and was replaced by youngster Kerr McInroy.

But after the match the boss provided an update on his left-back – and it seems the injury is not as bad as first feared.

Speaking to Celtic TV, Lennon said: “He’s alright, it’s just a trauma.

“So hopefully he’ll be fit for Wednesday or Thursday to train this week.

“It’s strapped up at the minute, it was a bit sore, hopefully in a couple of days the swelling will go down and it’ll be okay.”

The game marked the first match back at Celtic Park with no fans present and that’s something Lennon’s men will have to get used to over time.

There’s no set date yet by which fans can return to football grounds and their season opener against Hamilton next Sunday will be played without supporters in the stadium.

Lennon checked up on his players during the half-time break to examine how much of an impact the lack of fans was having.

He said: “We asked them at half-time, ‘how do you feel?’

“They said ‘I’m feeling okay, it’s fine’. It’s going to be difficult the longer we go without the fans, I understand that.

“For the short term they felt they were able to communicate better, obviously, but they missed the intensity of the crowd being there.

“And they’re going to have to generate that through self-motivation and the motivation that we give them as well.”

Celtic now look to another friendly on Monday as they take on Hibernian, again at their Parkhead home.

Lennon revealed that will be an opportunity for some fringe stars to prove their worth ahead of the new season.

“I’m looking forward to adding some young players, some players who will be on the fringe and some who will be in competition for places as we go along.

“It will be another good workout and we’re delighted to have these games.”