James Forrest

I don't think he is done either as other people think, he's just been injured most of the last 2 years and then he's only getting up to speed when fit. He looked sharp the last couple of times he plays and did earlier in the season before being injured again.

As long as he is fit for pre-season and can stay fit he's still a big player.

Lustig who people are compairing him too, was done. He was fit, playing all the time but had lost a yard or two, same as Brown last season. Forrest has been injured near constantly but he does get fit and play well and look sharp when he gets a few games and weeks of training in him still.

 

Ange knows best.

 

Leigh Griffiths insists James Forrest will remain Celtic’s wing king regardless of whether Jota commits his future to the club. The former Hoops striker believes his old team-mate is still the best service provider at Parkhead and can steal the thunder from the Portuguese star.

Jota has yet to sign a permanent deal from Benfica after stealing the hearts of Hoops fans last season. Forrest overcame an injury-plagued campaign to make a late impact for Ange Postecoglou ’s side and Griffiths rates him as the best he has played with.



He said: “I don’t think the Celtic fans should be panicking over the delay in Jota signing on for next season. James is the main man at the club in the wide areas. Jota had a brilliant season and the fans love him – but James has done it season after season and can be the key player again in the coming campaign.


Everyone knows he’s had his injuries but I don’t think there’s a player who works as hard behind the scenes as Jamesie. He needs to stay injury free but when you see him in training and in full flow he’s incredible. I’m sure boys like Scott Brown and Callum McGregor would back me up when we are asked who is the best player at Celtic?


“Most of his team-mates will say it’s James Forrest. He does things in training that make you stand back and go, ‘Wow.’ I know James well and he’ll be wanting to shut a few people up as he’s been knocked time after time and just come roaring back.

“Ask any Celtic player who wows them in training and James will always be on the tip of their tongue.”

Griffiths also believes Forrest doesn’t get the true credit for his football intelligence and he points to the 30-year-old’s enduring relationship with Celtic under a host of managers as proof positive of how highly the wide man is regarded by managers.




He said: “Look at his goal against Livingston last season. It was crucial and it said everything about how intelligent a footballer he is. He has so much skill and can score goals with both feet.

“He’s close to the 100 goal mark for Celtic and that would be a massive landmark for him to get through. He’s also the most decorated Celtic player there is – you just have to look at that and say it’s an achievement in itself.




That’s why he has played under so many managers as they all know exactly what he brings to the team. He has done it all his career. I remember playing alongside him for Scotland’s Under-21s over in Holland. James ripped them apart, he was sensational that night and we won 2-1. He has been torturing defenders ever since.”




It’s a sign of the value that Forrest has brought to the Hoops for over a decade that he remains an integral part of Postecoglou’s plans but it’s no surprise to Griff. He said: “You can’t get the ball off of him, it’s as though the ball is glued to his foot. He’s a joy to play with. When I was in the team with him I would leave James the space to go and show what he could do.

“He would burst past players as he’s explosive from a standing start and he has this trick he does with the outside of his
foot – I still don’t know how he does it. I’ve never seen any other player do it, he just gets the ball on the outside of his foot and changes direction, it’s unbelievable.


He often cuts inside and bends in a shot with the outside of his foot and sometimes you just need to stand back and admire it. I’ve played in games against him and thought, ‘What is the point of trying to get close to tackle him ? He’ll just tie you in knots.’




“I benefited from playing with him as he would play a killer ball or cross time after time and I’ve no doubt he played a huge part in my goal ratio at Celtic over the years. If you made the right run then he’d find you so he’s a main provider as well as a huge goal threat.”

 

Griffiths pure sooking up his * here like.

But Im afraid we cant rely on Forrest being no 1 winger this season. He's far too injury prone. It happens to players that have been playing in the first team since they were like 17. Forrest is still a good man to have in the squad. Him and CalMac are the experienced boys in the squad now and we need them there. No doubt Jamesy can still do us a turn when needed but we 100% need to sign Jota....there is no question about that....he is the future for us

 

I like Forrest but he was literally our 4th best winger last season. Griffiths is talking nonsense

 

Reads like someone just trying to big up their mate no matter what. Everybody fit, Forrest isn't a nailed on starter anymore and anyone actually watching us last season knows that. And that's not a dig at Forrest, we play so many games I'm sure he'll still contribute this season, but he's simply not "the main man at the club in the wide areas" with the options we have in the squad now.

 

Allowing for the injuries, Jamesie was definitely not on it at the end of the season.

 

Terrible mistake giving him long deal same as Mccarthy

 

He wasn’t talking about last year though, he was talking about the last decade. Guys a * but that’s true on that scale.

 

Wee Jamesy looks like he’s ready to fire in double digit goals and assists.

He did start well last season tbf then got a bad injury - assist off the bench in the 6-0 vs Dundee, then a goal and assist away to Jablonec, then a goal at home to Jablonec, then played full 90 in the 2-0 vs Alkmaar before his injury.

Didn’t really get going after coming back from injury but a couple of decent contributions, most notably the cup semi winner and the clincher away to livi.

Fingers crossed he can get back to near his best.

 

If we don’t sign a new right winger then we really need him fit for the CL games…

 

Still has plenty to offer. Expecting a good season from him.

 

I very much think he can play an important role for us in the squad this season. He is been written off by a lot of people as been passed it but Ange has shown no reluctance from day 1 at Celtic to move players on he does not feel fit into his plans so the fact Forrest got a new contract says the manager has faith in him and based on Ange's track record in terms of players last season thats good enough for me.

 

It might be a case of keeping a senior pro onside and wanting that experience of the club and winning still around for the younger/newer squad members?

Who knows, hopefully Forrest can still contribute on the pitch too though.

 

Ange Effect

 

He looks leaned and shredded btw

 

He does look very fit in that picture.

I was probably in the minority but I was glad to see his contract extended. Yes he had a difficult season but he’s got vast experience including at CL level, which will be important for us even if he’s not a regular starter. Just hope he stays fit and have no doubt he’ll make a decent contribution.

 

He'll always contribute, always has, even with all his injury issues. And for the european squad he comes under a home-grown player, so makes sense to have him in the squad