Brendan Rodgers found out over the phone that Greg Taylor would be leaving Celtic this summer.
The left-back's Parkhead contract expired at the end of last season, and despite attempts by the club and manager to convince him to stay, Taylor ultimately moved on to PAOK.
His arrival at the Greek club was confirmed on Tuesday, as Rodgers spoke out on Taylor and lifted the lid on their conversation regarding his final decision.
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"I spoke to Greg over the summer," Rodgers told CelticTV.
"He rang me to tell me what his decision, final decision, was going to be.
"I've made it clear all the way along, I'd love to have kept Greg. A brilliant servant, a brilliant player for the club, but also a really good guy off the pitch.
"Really well-loved in the changing room, and he played for us really big on the pitch. And six great years, he won titles and leaves with the goodwill of everyone, and I hope the move really works out well for him."
Taylor made 216 appearances across a six-year stay at Celtic, winning 11 major trophies and playing a vital role in the club's post-COVID revival.
Taking his left-back spot for the forthcoming season is Kieran Tierney, the man Taylor initially replaced back in 2019.
