Greg Taylor faces Celtic 'fight' as Hoops legend singles out 4 key Atalanta performers for Brendan Rodgers

Peter Grant was particularly impressed with 'first class 'Alex Valle who has stepped up in Greg Taylor's absence

Greg Taylor has been told he faces a fight to reclaim his Celtic spot with 'first class' Alex Valle impressing in his absence.

The Hoops' mainstay left-back has had a spell on the sidelines that has allowed the Barcelona loanee a run of games in Brendan Rodgers' starting side - including a top display in the Champions League stalemate in Bergamo against Atalanta. Scotland defender Taylor is back on the grass at Lennoxtown as he steps up his recovery.

Peter Grant - who is a big fan of the defender - believes Valle will be hard to dispose after a string of impressive games. The Celtic hero also picked out three team-mates alongside the young Spaniard, 20, as top performers against the current Europa League champions. The draw took the Hoops onto four points from three games with RB Leipzig and Club Brugge next up in back to back occasions at Parkhead in Europe's premier competition.

He told Go Radio: "I thought it was excellent. Against the ball was excellent. Everybody got back into position. Going back to Dortmund, I think Atalanta are better than Dortmund. I will throw that out now. I think they are better than Dortmund.

"I look at their players. There was moments you have to ride your luck but that is every single game. [Kasper] Schmeichel had a couple of great saves, the centre-backs [Auston Trusty and Liam Scales] were excellent and young Alex Valle was first class. I really like Greg Taylor but it is going to a fight for Greg now with the wee fella's performances.

"The midfield never crossed over as much and played their areas. That helped them defend more against the ball. They still had moments. Kyogo was so unlucky with a wonder ball from Valle. You can see what he is trying to do. You can end up winning the game off that moment as long as you are in it. All round a fantastic performance."

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