Celtic defender Greg Taylor has been ruled out of Scotland’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Portugal due to a calf injury. The 26-year-old left-back, who missed Celtic’s victory over Ross County on Sunday, sustained the injury during Celtic’s midweek Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund. His absence adds to the growing injury concerns for Scotland manager Steve Clarke, who is already without several key players as the team prepares for crucial matches.
A Blow to Scotland’s Defensive Options
Greg Taylor, a regular for Celtic and an important figure in Clarke’s Scotland setup, has earned 14 caps for his country. His presence on the left side of the defense has been valuable both in terms of defensive solidity and attacking support down the flank. However, the calf injury he suffered against Borussia Dortmund means he will not be available for the national team’s upcoming fixtures in the Nations League campaign.
This marks the second time Taylor has been forced to withdraw from the Scotland squad in recent months. He also missed the opening games of the current Nations League campaign, defeats to Poland and Portugal, due to injury. Taylor’s absence will leave Clarke with limited options at left-back, adding to the pressure as Scotland looks to secure vital points in a difficult group.
Clarke Facing an Injury Crisis
Steve Clarke is now dealing with an injury crisis ahead of the games against Croatia and Portugal. Taylor’s withdrawal means Scotland is missing at least 10 players, severely depleting the squad as they prepare to face two of Europe’s toughest opponents. With Taylor out, Clarke will need to rethink his defensive strategy and may have to rely on less experienced or out-of-position players to fill the void.
The extent of Gunn’s injury is still unclear, but his potential absence would be a further blow to a Scotland side already short of key personnel. Gunn has been a reliable figure between the posts since declaring for Scotland, and Clarke will be hoping that the injury is not severe enough to keep him out of the crucial Nations League matches.
The Importance of These Fixtures
Scotland’s upcoming matches against Croatia and Portugal are of huge significance. The team is still searching for its first win in the current Nations League campaign, having suffered defeats in their opening games against Poland and Portugal. If Scotland is to have any hope of advancing from the group, or even avoiding relegation to a lower tier, positive results in the remaining matches are essential.
Facing Croatia and Portugal without key players like Taylor, Tierney, and potentially Gunn will make the task even more daunting. Both Croatia and Portugal boast world-class talent and have been dominant in recent international competitions. For Clarke, the challenge will be to get the best out of his depleted squad and ensure that Scotland remains competitive in these high-stakes encounters.
Potential Replacements for Taylor
With Greg Taylor unavailable, Clarke will need to explore alternative options at left-back. One potential replacement is Rangers defender Borna Barisic, who has been a consistent performer at club level. Another option could be naturalizing a right-back, like Nathan Patterson or Aaron Hickey, to cover the left flank. Both Patterson and Hickey are versatile defenders capable of playing on either side of the pitch, though neither has extensive experience playing left-back at the international level.
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