Greg Taylor reveals the Celtic pain dished out by Luka Modric that shows where Champions League progress can be found

The left-back has also reacted to being omitted from the upcoming Scotland squad.

Greg Taylor insists Celtic picked up plenty of pointers on their steep Champions League learning curve last season.

He can’t wait to put them into practice after landing another searching section in Thursday’s draw. The Scottish champs will face Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Feyenoord this autumn. Taylor hasn’t forgotten any of the harsh lessons from last season’s campaign. Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic lost home and away to Real Madrid and RB Leipzig and drew both ties against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Luka Modric’s stunning goal at Parkhead was typical of the standard that Celtic – and many of their Champions League counterparts – can’t expect to attain. Taylor stressed that more could’ve been done to prevent the ball reaching the Croatian magician. And Taylor, who played every minute of every group game in 2022, says that’s an area where Celts must look to improve. When asked what he personally got out of the experience last season, Taylor explained: “It is the small details.

“There were games we had a lot of control and a lot of the ball. But the goal Modric scored at Celtic Park was the result of a slight switching-off. All of a sudden, the ball is in the back of the net.

“It is just these details. If we can brush up on them, I am sure we will be in a good position to try to do well. I definitely think we’re better placed to deal with the group stages because of that experience.

“Last year was the first time a lot of the boys had played at that level. They were big challenges last year but I think everyone in the changing room really enjoyed them.

“I think we will have more of an understanding of what we’re coming up against. But I don’t know if it will make it an easier. This is Europe’s elite we’re playing against.

“You need to be pretty perfect on the night. We will aim to be that. It is exciting. It’s where the club deserves to be competing. We want to give a good account of ourselves in Europe this season.”

Celtic ended up bottom of their section last year and exited continental competition before Christmas. The year before, Angeball’s first airing in Europe saw Celtic finish third in the Europa League. They dropped to the Conference version and were eliminated by Bodo Glimt.

New boss Brendan Rodgers has made pointed mention of improving Celtic’s results – and his own Parkhead European record. Taylor says the players are growing accustomed to the tweaks made by Rodgers with every passing day.

“There are subtle differences and that’s the same with every coach because they all have different ideas,” Taylor said. “But there are the same principles as previously. We have been trying to brush up on them, continue to work forward and improve.

“The manager has been very positive and clear in what he wants from us. Hopefully we can start to show that as the weeks and games progress. Attacking football, quick, trying to score lots of goals – that is what we’re going to try to do.”

Taylor will hope to use the Champions League campaign as a platform to relaunch his Scotland career. The left-back has been omitted from Steve Clarke’s squad for the Euro 2024 qualifying trip to Cyprus and home challenge match against England.