Taylor left The Riverside last summer and joined Malky Mackay (a manager he played for on loan at Watford) at Cardiff City.
“When we signed Andrew on loan at Watford he had not played much football in a year purely because he was not involved under Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough," Mackay explained.
“That can happen and Boro were happy for him to go out on loan. Andrew made a fairly big financial sacrifice to join Watford and he did well, but unfortunately for us Gordon Strachan was sacked and Tony Mowbray took over. He took Andrew back because he is a good player.
“We lost him for the second half of the season. During the time he played for Watford, Andrew was comfortable on the ball and never looked flustered. He is a good defender.
“I knew he would be out of contract and we were delighted he came to Cardiff City.
“Today’s match against a club where he grew up adds that little bit extra for him. He will be playing against old friends.
“It was great for Cardiff City he came and committed to this club. He had other offers and decided to come here.”
Tony Mowbray wishes his former player well.
"The decision for Andrew was a difficult one, it dragged on. His contract was from a different era, it was way beyond what we could afford, Mowbray commented.
"With total respect to Andrew, it wasn't a financial reason he went to Cardiff, there wasn't too much in the offers from the clubs. He'd been here since he was a boy, all his life, he maybe wanted a change.
"He didn't make a bad choice in going to Cardiff, it's a good club with a good manager. I don't think he thinks any ill of our club, let's just wait and see if he has made the right decision come the end of the season.
"I like Andrew Taylor, he's single minded, he knows what he wants, I really appreciate his talent, he's my type of footballer and I was disappointed that he left. I wish him well - but not for today - and I hope his career goes in the right direction."
So what does Taylor himself think?
"Looking forward to Saturdays game against my old club!! Will be good to see all the lads but will be strange playing against them!" he posted on Twitter.
Source: FOOTYMAD
