Celtic attempt to hijack Rangers swoop for Premier League star - report
By Alex Stevens
Celtic are ready to hijack Rangers' swoop for defender Steven Taylor, according to a report.
Rangers are keen to land the recently-released Newcastle defender as they aim for their third Premier League capture of the window following the signings of Joey Barton from Burnley and Jordan Rossiter from Liverpool.
Sky Sports claim Taylor will hold talks with Rangers on Monday before travelling to Turkey for further transfer discussions with Fenerbahce.
It is said Celtic are also interested in signing Taylor, who ended his 13-year association with Newcastle last week.
As reported by Football Insider on Sunday, newly promoted Hull and Championship side Brighton are also candidates for his signature.
New Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is looking to reinforce the Hoops' backline and has already been linked with Liverpool 23-year-old Andre Wisdom.
Taylor left Newcastle as a free agent after manager Rafael Benitez opted against offering the 30-year-old a new contract.
Taylor has spent his entire career at St James' Park and has spent most of that time in the Premier League with the Magpies.
The defender is now a free agent and it is thought to have been in contact with former Newcastle teammate and Rangers new boy Joey Barton about what life might be like with the Gers.
Barton joined Rangers from Burnley last month despite the fact he would have been playing top flight football with the Clarets next season.
It could be an indicator Taylor is keen on a change of scenery, and a move north of the border, after spending his entire playing career in England.
The Englishman has struggled with his fitness in recent years with injuries limiting him to a combined appearances in the last two seasons.