James Forrest

Was fantastic the other night, would love to see the consistency of him playing like that regularly

 

Hoops assistant Chris Davies believes that James Forrest is finally getting the recognition he deserves after putting in arguably his best Celtic performance this week.

The Celtic winger impressed in Tuesday’s defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League as he teed up Callum McGregor as the Parkhead side briefly drew level against the Germans.

Parity proved to be short lived but Forrest was excellent throughout, with Davies delighted to see the Celtic youth academy graduate take a bow in the limelight.

“James is playing at the top of his game,” said Davies. “Looking at Tuesday in isolation, that performance was of a very high level.

“He was fantastic. He was up against one of the left backs in the world. You look at his receiving of the ball, his touch, technique, the passes and the detail on his passes, the way he was running, whether it was his decision making when to dribble or take the ball inside. The quality of the ball for Stuart Armstrong’s early chance at the back post was top class.

“The lift for Callum’s goal was top class. It was all great technique.

“James has got really good technique. We have had loads of good attacking players here in the last 17 months and he is someone who maybe doesn’t get spoken about as much as the other guys.

“He’s such a humble lad, who does his best every time he players, and he’s a very good player.

“It’s important when he has nights like that it’s recognised, because sometimes it doesn’t when you come through the academy and others are being signed.

“Since we’ve been here he’s played a lot of games because he does all the things that we want in terms of pressing the ball and he works really hard for you.

“He’s got a really good touch and decision making with the ball. That position he’s playing there as well is really suiting his profile – like a wing-back – as he does both roles.

“Don’t forget, away from the assists on Tuesday, James defended well at the far post, clearing the ball with his head twice and he’s had to defend one v one. He brought a lot to the game.”

 

If Shooders doesn't score a hatrick & set up 2 other goals today then he is in trouble

 

The Scottish Patrick Roberts...

The white Didier Agathe...

The human Speedy Gonzalez...

 

The * Figo

 

IT was the night James was upstaged by Wee Jamesy.

On the 67th minute at Parkhead on Tuesday night the glistening sight of thousands of phone torches being held aloft was an illuminating one, but this was not the shimmering source which lit up an enlightening evening for Celtic. Instead, it was the hot glow from the figure in green and white rampaging down the right wing with sparks coming from his boots.

For all the 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich did not herald a landmark night for the collective good at Celtic, the pang of defeat was softened by the sight of James Forrest, in full flow, at his best. This was arguably his finest 90 minutes on a Celtic jersey.

There have been few who have divided opinion in the Celtic Park stands over the last seven years as much as Forrest. Once often questioned over his final ball, Forrest’s consistent run of form under Brendan Rodgers and highlights – including the goal that landed Celtic a Champions League play-off spot in Norway – point to a player in his prime. But his efforts on Tuesday night surpassed all expectation as the belief he belonged at this level shone through.

“Definitely,” he said. “Through the full campaign last year and the qualifiers this year I’ve got the experience. You are only going to get better playing against the top players and top teams. Personally, it was a great performance, especially in the Champions League. But I felt all the boys did themselves justice, we are just all a bit devastated with the result. We’re gutted but even though we feel that way we can still acknowledge how well we played.”

It was a sterling showing that was noticed by those around him. Leigh Griffiths, watching on from the bench until he was introduced with 11 minutes to go, had a front row seat as Forrest terrorised David Alaba, perhaps the best left-back in the world. Although, for Griffiths it was nothing new.

“James has played at this level for a number of years now and against Bayern he showed what he was all about,” he said. “His speed caused them so many problems.

“There might be a perception that Patrick [Roberts] is first choice in that position but James proved that isn't the case. No-one is first choice here On his game, James is one of the best players in Scotland, you saw that with his performance against Bayern.

“He gave David Alaba a real hard time and when he's on it, he can terrorise anybody. Of course, Patrick is a great player. But none of the wingers have the right to think of themselves as first choice in this squad.

“It's unfortunate for him that he's injured but it has given James a run in the team. And if he produces performances like he did on Tuesday, he won't be out of the team. He's already scored big, important goals for this club in the Champions League and he got his assist for Cal the other night. The wee man has no fear. He can play in any stadium you like without batting an eyelid.”

While Griffiths insists that Roberts is not first pick, Forrest himself acknowledges the need to make an impact while he can. While the Manchester City loanee sits out with a hamstring problem, his replacement laid down a marker on Tuesday night.

“Yes, because I started most of the games last year and then all of the qualifiers,” he said on the back of his first Champions League start of the campaign. “I came on in the first three group games but there is nothing better than starting, with the crowd and the atmosphere. You want to start the big games and I was buzzing about that.

“Any time a player starts he wants to play well and show what he can do. The manager has so many options, internationals for every position. You have to make sure you are ready when called upon.”

On the back of that showing, it would be difficult to see Forrest not playing a part in Paris on November 22 for what on the outside is a shot at nothing, but to those within the Celtic camp presents another opportunity to show they belong at this level.

Asked about the group’s final game against Anderlecht being a cup final in the race for a Europa League place, Forrest added: “I think so but we will worry about PSG first. The Anderlecht game will take care of itself but we need to do everything we can to be in Europe after Christmas.

“You are playing against the best so you do different types of running than in the games where you have the ball more.

“The boys have all had a good pre-season and so the boys are fit. We have the squad to deal with both types of games. It’s tiring physically and mentally but that’s what you want to do.”

 

Our best player this season bar Tierney.

 

I actually think he’s been better than Tierney overall, although the last few games Tierney has been superb.

 

Maybe actually. Tierney wasn't as good as last season for first few games.

Both been great if late thought.

Forrest has been outstanding in Europe this season.

 

Posted this before but poor James in this video

 

Celtic winger James Forrest says he is in the form of his life, after a scintillating display against Bayern Munich for his club and starring against The Netherlands for his country.

Forrest reckons that he is playing even better this season than he was during Celtic’s treble-winning campaign last time around.

And he credits the fact he is getting to test himself against the highest calibre of player for Celtic and for Scotland as the key reason behind his continued improvement over the last 18 months.

“Last season was definitely a special season,” said Forrest. “It was one of my best and more enjoyable.

“I think I have kicked on and I am doing even better this season. We are not even halfway through this season and I just want to keep improving.

“The more big games I play it will help because it means I will only get better.

“You want to play against the best and in big games. It is good I get that opportunity with both Celtic and Scotland.

“At Celtic we still have another couple of Champions League games to go, while March is obviously the next big game for Scotland on the international calendar.”

Forrest also believes that competition for places has been vital to keep him on his toes, and he certainly has got that at Celtic, where he vies with Manchester City loan star Patrick Roberts for a starting berth on the right wing.

It may have been expected that Forrest would again take a back seat after Roberts’ return to the club, but he is desperate to hang on to that starting jersey.

“He came back but he also came in at a time when I was feeling good,” he said.

“It is more competition for places and it drives people. It is also good for Celtic with the amount of games we have to play and it is also good to have that competition within the squad.

“If you ask everyone they want to play – that is everyone’s attitude because we all want to make sure we are available for every game.

“You always need to be at it in training and to be working hard to give your best chance to play in the games.

“Even when you go away with Scotland it is the same – not just at Celtic. When you go away there are 27 players and there are maybe four, five or six players who can play in your position.

“It is the same at Celtic because we have two or three international players for every position.

“It keeps you motivated because you know if you don’t kick on or you’re not at it then there will be another player to come in.”

Forrest admits that it was something of a relief to have a few days off after turning out for Scotland after a hectic schedule of late for Celtic, particularly as a similarly punishing program awaits them upon their return to action.

Among their next set of fixtures there is the small matter of a trip to France to take on Paris Saint Germain, as well as the League Cup final against Motherwell at Hampden.

“The boys are delighted with the break,” said Forrest.

“It is the first time we have had that because normally we have a game every two or three games.

“It was good to get that rest but now we are back and it is back into another tough schedule and we want to start by being ready for the Ross County game.

“It is tough both physically and mentally because we are in right from the start in the Champions League qualifiers. We now go back and after Ross County we have a Champions League game and then a cup final.

“They are big games and we know we will need to pick it up and be at it again.

“The manager takes it one game at a time and that won’t change because it is that approach that has brought us the success we have had so far.”

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/CelticGoals/status/934816522987606017/video/1

 

He has been sensational

 

Sutton keeps going on about dividing opinion with our support.

It's only a minority since Rogers came in. He's scored vital goals and been involved in others.

 

He make nice goal.

 

He always delivers in the League cup too, 3 cup final goals

 

He's come a long way