GREG TAYLOR initially struggled to oust Boli Bolingoli from his starting berth in the Celtic starting XI.

But former teammate Stephen O'Donnell knew it wouldn't take long for the Scotland cap to make the left-back position his own at Parkhead.

The Hoops signed Taylor from Kilmarnock on deadline day last summer to provide Bolingoli with competition on the flank. And there were immediately questions over the 22-year-old's abilities in an attacking sense. O'Donnell, though, knew how good his former Killie pal really was and had no doubt he could make it as a Celtic player. 

Fast-forward seven months and Taylor is manager Neil Lennon's first choice on the left of a back-four and Bolingoli is nowhere to be found. And the 27-year-old right-back reckons it's all down to Taylor's patience and work ethic he displayed during his time in Ayrshire.

"Greg has done extremely well," O'Donnell said. "There were always going to be doubters at Celtic and even maybe Kilmarnock but he's confident and has loads of ability. He's young and he's hungry and wants to learn. 

"He's managing to do that and I have no doubt that once he establishes himself next season, or whenever we get back up and running, he'll do very well. He's at a great age and I think he's the most consistent player I've played with. I believe that, if he hadn't come from Kilmarnock, with the performances he's put in people would be waxing lyrical.

"Saying 'oh, that's a great £3million spent' or whatever it was. He's a top, top player and a top player. I hope he continues this. It's great for any young boy coming through from Kilmarnock and every other club in Scotland to show that it's possible."

O'Donnell knew mate Taylor had a serious challenge ahead of him to play ahead of Bolingoli after he played against the Belgian at Celtic Park. The two squared-off a short time after the latter received a barrage of criticism following some dodgy early season performances.

He added: "I hadn't seen a lot of Bolingoli but I played against him which was the first time I'd seen him after reading some of the criticism he got. Actually, I thought he looked like he had everything! He was quick and athletic and that's when I thought it might be harder for Greg.

"It can be hard because managers have players they trust and if you're not one of those players at that time, you need to be patient. That's one of the hardest things to do in football. But Greg was able to do that and Celtic are reaping the rewards of a good player and a good pro who keeps his head down and works hard.

"Now he's Celtic's number one left-back. They weren't too big boots to fill after Kieran Tierney..."