Kilmarnock can use artificial surface to frustrate Celtic, says Rory McKenzie, as he reveals jousts with pal Greg Taylor

RORY McKENZIE has watched old pal Greg Taylor soar like an eagle at Celtic.

But the Kilmarnock midfielder reckons there’s no way the Parkhead defender sees him as easy prey on the golf course.

1

Rory McKenzie admits he’s still able to get one over on Greg Taylor

The duo came through the ranks together at Rugby Park and were vital in Steve Clarke’s squad when they finished third in 2019.

Taylor’s performance saw him land a £3million switch to Celtic in September of the same year.

And McKenzie reckons the full-back is showing how good he is by continuing to be Mr Consistent.

He said: “I’ve not spoken to Greg in a while, he’s too good for me now he is a Celtic player.

“No I’m joking, I played golf with him a while ago, he’s still to beat me!

“He might be able to beat me at football but he won’t beat me on the golf course.

“I’m pleased for him and what he has achieved in recent years. “He came on the scene later on than some players and he was flung in at the deep end but did well.

“He’s gone on to great things and he’s beginning to prove himself. “We know how good he is and he’s beginning to show the Celtic fans that as well.

“He was Mr Consistent here and he did his job well. He came in at a good time when we had a good team under Steve and he flourished. “He has now reaped the rewards by getting his move to Celtic.

“He has come from Kilmarnock and at times he was the scapegoat.

“But I’m pleased for him, although we have to forget about friendships this weekend.”

Kilmarnock haven’t beaten Celtic since September 2018 when Stuart Findlay netted a last gasp winner in the 2-1 success.

McKenzie reckons Derek McInnes’ men have to make it horrible for the Hoops.

And like against Rangers last week, they aren’t out to entertain the travelling support.

He added: “If we go toe-to-toe with Celtic there will only really be one winner.

“We will be set up to stop them playing, make fouls, slow it down then try to play when we get the ball.

“We don’t want it to be a free-flowing spectacle. “There’s nothing wrong with that.

“When we got results under Steve Clarke, we never played out from the back.

“It was about being hard to play against and making it tough for them.

“They have good players and if you give them time it will be an easy afternoon for them.

“I watched some of Celtic’s games last season and you can see how well they handle the ball and how well they move.

“We need to get against them to stop them.

“We frustrated Rangers but we could have been more of a threat and passed the ball better.

“We had a bit of possession and opened up and that’s when we conceded. At 1-0 the crowd got on their back.

“We weren’t there to entertain the Rangers fans, we were there to get a result for Kilmarnock and this game is the same.”

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page