James Forrest

I'd start them as well.

I quite like Kuhn, think he is actually a bit similar to Forrest where he'll keep the ball and he'll run down the line and he does pass it about well between O'Riley and Johnston. Does a lot the same as Forrest only Forrest will shoot and deliver a ball.

Kuhn's lacking the bottle to be a difference maker, not taking on shots and crosses that Forrest will as he's experienced and knows what needs to be done, won't hesitate to hit a shot or turn back and pass again when he could deliver as he's not scared to make a mistake.

Palma and Kuhn to end the game will still be fine.

 

Think that’s what it will be today but I do like Kuhn on the right especially when there’s a lot of runners when he cuts in then I feel we really stretch teams but the form forrest is on right now he’s a must start. Maeda gives them nightmares also so I’d go with him too

 

Aye Kühn will be a mainstay going forward, once he gets used to the mental side of things. But Forrest just has that touch of class.

It's actually a certainty that him and Daizen start. Zero doubts.

 

Are you serious??? If Kuhn is a mainstay we are absolutely *!!! The guy has zero, yip zero, end product. He can’t beat a man and in fact looks scared to take someone on!!! He is brutal.

 

Thought he looked pretty pacy today.

 

Calm doon ya * nood book.

 

Watch what he gives, zero.

 

Almost as much as you give to this website.

 

Solid, calm and experienced, just what we need against the filth

 

Rolling back the years, has been great the last few weeks and sure he’s got a lot more to offer until the end of the season. Got to be starting every game for me

 

James Forrest wins Titles. It’s what James Forrest does.

 

He’s a must start next Saturday.

Fair enough, it doesn’t say a lot about where our team is at the minute, but the * that have been dismissing his contribution in the last few months are daft as *. Probably our only current winger with genuine quality in possession.

 

Would start Forrest ahead of Kuhn. Based on current form I can't see any argument against it.

 

It may have taken over a decade and a drawer full of medals, but at last, some respect may well be – as the kids say – being put on the name of James Forrest.

It seems the winger has been perennially underappreciated by some fans, and in recent years, underused even by managers who are nonetheless effusive in their praise of his abilities and his attitude. But now, as he has stormed into Celtic’s season – literally, and figuratively, from the wings - and given the champions a timely creative boost in their attack, it seems that his value has never been so understood or acknowledged.

Eyebrows were raised when Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers called Forrest the ‘best winger at the club’ a few months back. Not because anyone really doubted that he was a more accomplished player than the likes of newcomers Nicolas Kuhn or Yang Hyun-jun, but because he was barely making matchday squads, never mind getting on the pitch ahead of them.


All that has changed in recent weeks, starting with his immediate impact off the bench in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen - when he scored within seconds of replacing Yang - through his stunning double against Dundee and onto another eye-catching display in the weekend win over Hearts.

That run of fine form has made him a shoo-in, you would think, to start the titanic Old Firm title tussle at Celtic Park this weekend, with Forrest more than doing enough over recent weeks to merit a place on the opposite flank to the returning Daizen Maeda, who will surely be charged with tormenting Rangers captain James Tavernier on the Celtic left as he did in the recent draw at Ibrox.


Another unexpected by-product of Forrest’s late-season renaissance has been the sparking of debate around his prospects of making Steve Clarke’s squad for the European Championships. Yes, Clarke’s tried and trusted system is noted for its lack of wingers, but the Scotland coach has shown at times he is not averse to changing things up when the occasion requires it. And if the Scots are toiling for a creative spark at any point during the tournament in Germany, Forrest would surely represent a solid bet from the bench at the very least.

With injuries to contend with and UEFA confirming last week that the permitted squad size will be expanded to 26 players, Forrest may well have timed his run perfectly then to not only help Celtic over the line in the league and cup on the home front but to force his way onto the plane that will soon be bound for Bavaria.

Anyone who knows Forrest well, whether that be personally, as a player, or both, are falling over themselves at the minute to put his case forward. A reflection both on his character and on his ability as a footballer. Take Matt O’Riley, for instance, who has been blown away by Forrest’s recent form, and is delighted to see his teammate's professionalism at last being rewarded. He hopes that recognition will stretch to representing his country at a major tournament. “That would be awesome,” O’Riley said.

“You can’t say he doesn’t deserve it to some extent. He’s been so good in the last couple of months. I think [Steve Clarke] should take him because he’s very good. He’s just a good guy to have around the place too and that’s something to take into consideration, and hopefully, some of the other lads go too. At least four have a chance to go, which would be nice.

“You don’t get 100 goals and assists for Celtic if you’re not half decent. He’s proven that over time, and I think he deserves a lot more respect than he gets in my opinion.


Forrest may well have divided opinion at times throughout his career, but one thing that can’t be disputed is that he knows exactly what it takes to win trophies. His 22 medals so far have him level with Scott Brown in joint-third place in the all-time Celtic honours list, and if he can help his side to a league and cup double this term, he will move ahead of Billy McNeill and into second place. What’s more, he will be just one behind Bobby Lennox, who sits at the top of the pile on 25 major honours. “It’s pretty mad how much he’s won,” O’Riley added.

“He’s just such a really nice guy as well which is the most important thing. He’s just so down to earth. Even when he wasn’t playing regularly at the start of the season, he was still such a nice guy at the training ground. He was a nice guy to be around, never toxic towards anyone.

“If anyone deserves to be playing and be playing well it’s him. He’s also just very good at football too, which helps us.

 

Points to be made for both earning his start, and to come on fresh as an impact sub for 30mins at the end and best utilise his talent when they're (hopefully) knackered... I'm not against either idea, and don't think it reflects badly on him whichever way Rodgers plays it...

Bear in mind, they'll kick him up and down with impunity in the first half

 

Forrest deserves to start and I think he will. He has bags of experience, is in a run of form and knows what it takes to perform in this match.

 

I started this thread in 2015 believing he should be sold as not good enough.
Bhoy I’m glad I was wrong.

 

Ive found him frustrating over the years,but cant deny his medal tally and contribution to Celtic.Recently imo he has been the spark that we have needed in the team and has contributed big time to Celtics resurgence in form.Looking for him to be a Hunskelper on Sarurday....Him and Maeda to start for me.

 

Maeda certainly starts on the left. It will be interesting whether Forrest starts on the right instead of Kuhn or Rodgers feels he is best coming off the bench.