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Greg Taylor and Kieran Tierney have been Scotland team-mates
Greg Taylor says it would be unfair to suggest the return of Kieran Tierney forced him to leace Celtic and join PAOK.
Manager Brendan Rodgers wanted to retain the 27-year-old's services despite agreeing in January the return of fellow Scotland defender Tierney once his contract ran out this summer with Arsenal.
It had been widely speculated that the possibility of Tierney becoming Celtic's first choice left-back led Taylor to reject the chance to extend his six-year stay with the Scottish champions.
"I would certainly not say that's fair," Taylor told Sky Sports. "I think there's been competition for my place at Celtic in the whole six years I was there and it was not something I ever shirked from.
"I loved that, it drove me on, it helped me find my best level. So, no, I wouldn't say it was particularly Kieran coming back. It was just that I felt that it was probably the right time for me to try something different."
Taylor, who won 11 trophies and made more than 200 appearances for Celtic, said leaving was "the biggest decision" of his career.
"When I left Kilmarnock back in 2019, it was that bit easier because I was progressing," he said.
"I wanted to go and try and play for the biggest team in Scotland and I think at that time there probably weren't many who believed I would play as many games as I did, but the one person that really did was myself.
"I was lucky to go and play 200-plus games for Celtic, which was unbelievable. It wasn't easy, there was a million things to weigh up, but I just felt it was the right time to do it. I wanted to play regularly and that's probably the big factor."
Taylor admitted he had to give consideration to the fact he was walking away from the prospect of Champions League football this season.
"Yeah, it is," he said when asked if that was something he thought about.
"But I think in Greece that's one thing that was attractive about going to play was you've got those atmospheres, that intensity in the games, there's many big clubs in the league that are all competing for the title."
Taylor revealed that he had other options but was impressed "to be shown that love" by PAOK, who were keen for him to become part of their 100-year anniversary next year.
"It was clear it was a big club and an important season," he said. "I thought it was the time to take the jump.
"It's going to be a real special season. The best way to make it special is by winning something and that something being the league. We're excited for that challenge."
