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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Ex-Celtic flop Albian Ajeti secures dream debut for Gaziantep after Parkhead exit

Ex-Celtic flop Albian Ajeti scored with his very first touch for his new club...over two years after his last goal for the Parkhead club.

The Swiss international finally ended his Hoops hell when he moved to Turkish football to sign for Gaziantep in a £500,000 deal earlier this month.

Ajeti - who cost Celtic £5 million from West Ham three years ago - was sent on loan to Austria last season after falling out of the first team picture, but only scored three league goals for Sturm Graz.

But he introduced himself in style to Gaziantep after coming on as a late sub in injury time and scoring with his first touch in the fifth minute of added time on his debut against Istanbulspor to seal a 2-0 win.

His last goal for Celtic came as far back as September 2021 in the Europa League against Real Betis.

Ajeti only managed to score eight league goals in two seasons for Celtic and had no future under Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers.

But the 26-year-old has got off to a great start at his new club.

Meanwhile, Greg Taylor relishes his role in being one of the main men in the Celtic dressing room but feels his new team-mates are starting to make a noise.

Taylor joined Celtic four years ago and has seen plenty of change with nine new signings arriving this summer alone, many of them a similar age to what he was when he arrived.

The 25-year-old said: “Probably because I am one of the longer servants at the club, I feel like I am one of the more vocal ones in the team.

“But everyone plays their part, whether they are vocal or leading by example. When we are on the pitch, everyone is out there giving their all for the club.

“I enjoy it, I am not shy in chatting. But neither are guys like Ali Johnston as I am sure you well know.

“We have a good group. It is a young group but a lot of guys are not shy in giving their opinions. We just all want the same thing, that’s for us to improve and continue to grow.

“Naturally I am loud but the more games you play, the more comfortable you feel and you grow in stature and people probably begin to respect your opinion a bit more. That happens.

“You have got guys like Cam (Carter-Vickers) who is more naturally quiet but the way he shows is in his performances.

“And we have boys who have come in and settled really well this year so I’m sure as time goes on they will begin to show their voice in the changing room as well.”

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