Celtic star ‘to leave within 48 hours’ despite Brendan Rodgers’ efforts to keep him

GREG TAYLOR will END his six-year spell Celtic in the next 48 hours, according to reports.

SunSport understands that Taylor has been considering a contract offer from Greek giants PAOK.

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Scotland cap Taylor, 27, has been at Parkhead for six seasons after joining from Kilmarnock in a £1m deal on transfer deadline day in 2019.

He was signed under Neil Lennon after Kieran Tierney had left for Arsenal that summer.

And with the Hoops icon poised to officially return to his boyhood heroes in the coming weeks, Taylor will be heading out the door.

According to The Celtic Way, Taylor’s exit will be finalised within the next 48 hours.

The Celtic left-back had several options to mull over as his contract with the Hoops ran down. 

PAOK emerged as serious contenders for Taylor and drew up a two-year deal, with an option for a further 12 months. 

PAOK technical director Christos Karipidis – the former Hearts defender – is driving the move. 

Karipidis is a big fan of the Hoops star and has been desperate to lure him to Thessaloniki. 

It’s understood that Taylor, who recently became a father for the first time, needed time to assess the move after six years at Celtic. 

However PAOK didn’t want to wait indefinitely and there have been other clubs in the mix for the left-back.

But now he looks set to embark on the next chapter of his career in Greece.

Brendan Rodgers has always retained hope his full-back would stay and his Parkhead exit has yet to be confirmed.

PAOK finished third in the Greek Super League last season and qualified for the Europa League, which they will enter at the third qualifying round stage.

Dinamo Zagreb were the first club to be linked to Taylor and interest from MLS soon followed.

He was even tipped for a blockbuster move to Rangers by SunSport’s Kris Boyd at one point.

If – or when – Taylor seals his move to Greece, he could soon find himself coming up against former boss Ange Postecoglou.

The ex-Celtic manager is listed at 3/1 to join AEK Athens after being sacked by Tottenham Hotspur last week.

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