Rodgers claims fans showed a lack of respect to Taylor by chanting for Tierney … and also a lack of trust in their team

Brendan Rodgers accused a section of the Celtic support of showing ‘disrespect’ towards left-back Greg Taylor by chanting Kieran Tierney’s name towards the end of the 3-0 win over St Mirren.

The Arsenal left-back is close to reaching agreement with his boyhood club over a return to Glasgow on a pre-contract deal.

Concerned by the impact the fans’ chants could have on current full-back Taylor, Rodgers also urged supporters to show more ‘trust’ in the team after some reacted negatively to a stuffy start to the game against the Paisley side.

Taylor headed straight up the tunnel after victory extended Celtic’s lead at the top of the Premiership over Rangers to 13 points, Rodgers saying: ‘There were a few things that I may have overheard at the end there. That’s a total lack of respect.

‘Greg Taylor, he’s been absolutely amazing at this club. How does he feel? He nearly breaks his nose there, bleeding for the club, for a cause.

‘It’s not very respectful. You sing for another player, no matter what Kieran’s history is. I don’t like that.’

Keen to extend his stay in Glasgow beyond this summer, former Kilmarnock full-back Taylor has yet to agree terms on a new contract.

Despite the two sides being some distance apart on finance, Rodgers hopes to keep him at the club — regardless of when Tierney returns.

‘It’s been an ongoing issue, so I’m not exactly sure at the moment where it’s at,’ said Rodgers.

‘But what I know is that he’s a young player who’s given so much to this club over a number of years, consistently. His ability, what he’s done for the club. So, that (new contract) needs to be explored.

‘I can only vouch for him since I’ve come in here. I’ve had a look at his numbers before, and then his performance level, consistency, availability. And in my time here, he’s been absolutely great. I hear the stuff around, oh, maybe (his performances in) Champions League. But I’ve had hundreds of Celtic players that haven’t been good enough in Champions League.

‘What I know is this is a man who gives everything for this club. Hopefully we can keep him here because we’re trying to build a strong squad.

‘He might decide to go elsewhere. But, at this moment in time, he’s here, he’s very much a Celtic player, and we want to support that. Hopefully we can get to some agreement to let him stay.’

Asked if Taylor was aware of the Tierney chants when he headed up the tunnel at full-time, Rodgers shrugged: ‘I’m not sure, I haven’t spoken to him, but I don’t think he can miss it.

‘But what I know is he’s there for the team, he stands up and is counted. The next mistake, he goes again.

‘His availability, his consistency over a long period of time has been absolutely brilliant.

‘I commend him. I get a greater appreciation even now, working with him, closely. I’m really hopeful that we’ll keep him.’

Looking for a reaction after the 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, Rodgers insisted he always trusted his team would bounce back. He called on supporters to do the same after a Nicholas Kuhn double and Auston Trusty’s first goal for the club finally broke down St Mirren’s resistance.

‘Our idea is to start the game and be fast and aggressive,’ said Rodgers. ‘But it might take 15 to 20 minutes, 29 minutes or so. It might take you 85 minutes. So trust the team and how they’re playing.

‘You’re not going to be 3-0, 4-0 or 5-0 up before half-time every single game. And that’s not because the players aren’t trying to work. It’s because maybe the other team defend better or we’re just not quite there on the pass.

‘But, make no mistake, our mentality is to be offensive and creative in our numbers.

‘Yes, trust. Just trust the team. Trust the management.

‘Trust how the team play. We’ve seen it consistently now.

‘The consistency of the team has been incredible. The level of the team has been such a high level.

‘Be supportive. And then you get even more out of the team.’