James Forrest

Paddy, the better player isn’t always in better form though.

 

I've loved watching James Forrest progress over the years.

He's contributed as much as anyone in the squad on this incredible time for our club. Scored and assisted some of the most vital goals and is now hitting the peak of his career. Last night was the pinnacle of a player who's developed and adapted under three different managers here.

Roberts is a fantastic player, probably better overall, but his service to Celtic pales in comparison to Forrests thus far.

Having both at the club is great, they both keep each other on their toes and ensures high competition and improvement

 

Can honestly say never been his biggest fan but after last night i think i will show some trust in him from now on was tremendous never knee he had tht perfomance in him

 

the ball through to callum was sublime.

 

He might be the only player to play In all 10 of the inevitable 10 in a row

 

Absolutely phenomenal last night. Every time he got on the ball, I felt he was going to make something happen. I’d say it’s comfortably his best performance in a Celtic jersey. Pace, power, work rate and quality were there in abundance. He needs to keep that level up.

It was extremely pleasing to watch three academy bhoys in Forrest, McGregor and KT run a mock against one of the best sides in Europe.

 

I really hope that game gives him the confidence to do that against anybody..

our support have never doubted his ability.. his application & consistency are what have let him down in the past.
Its a big stage out there Jamesy Bhoy,, go make it your own - there is a huge support behind you willing you on

 

This is why we need to be looking for a replacement already if we're not getting Roberts past this loan, it's the change in attitude that's impressed me with Forrest more than anything, if he didn't have real competition for places I'd worry about him getting complacent. Ideally Roberts plays a bit * all season, Man City stop rating him and we can sign him up long term.

Sometimes I forget the age gap between these guys since we're always comparing them directly, Forrest is 26 and Roberts 20, imagine he was here developing as a player as long as Forrest has, James would hit his 30s and start to wind down just as Paddy is reaching his peak years. I know, never going to happen.

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/celticfc/status/925698521285693440/video/1

 

He done it in the qualifiers, he done it against Man city last season. If Dembele scored from Forrest's pass after he left 3 or 4 Man City players for dead at the etihad it would have been goal of the round.

Every time forrest has a good game people say "hopefully he can kick now", "he's been threatening that performance for ages" or "if he can keep that performance up he will change my mind on him"...

Trouble is, people have been saying the same thing for years now. He was brilliant under Deila until the carry on with his contract. He has been fantastic under Brendan, playing at a very high level any time he is called upon.

He has "kicked on", he has delivered the "performance he's been threatening" and he has been producing performances that should have already "changed people's minds on him".

He is a great player.

 

Form very much dictates who is better at any given time.

You are also giving Forrest too little credit. He isn't as far away from Roberts as you think, not right at this moment in time.

They are very different players who occupy the same space on the field. Both are very productive in their own style.

 

Agree with a lot of that but that was a fantastic performance against top class opposition

 

It's a weird one. For the last couple of years he has been playing at a higher level than he ever did before, but I still think he lacks consistency. I suppose a number of our players lack consistency, but Forrest can be frustrating.

Last season sort of shows that he dropped off. Scored 4 and assisted 2 goals in the first 6 league games last season. After that, he only scored 2 more goals and assisted 5 for the remainder of the season.

We all know that when he's on his game, he's fantastic. I think it's understandable when people say "hopefully he kicks on now" because we're wanting him to show that level of performance on a more consistent basis.

In any case, Rodgers has got him playing some great football. I was never a huge fan of Jamesy but he's more than won me over.

 

he looked superb last night, driving at there defence the bayern defenders couldnt deal with him he looked like a top class european player although he needs to play like that everey game

 

Outstanding last night for us, ran at players every chance he could and covered back well all night long to help the defence. One of his best performances I've seen myself. Good on ye shooders, keep it up wee man!

edit: forgot to mention that pass for our goal 10/10 for cheekiness..I loved that.

 

100%. I've never understood those that have said down the year's, "aw his first touch is *" "he can't cross" etc etc. It's always been there for me but confidence and some excruciating injuries he's had to contend with, hamstring and back injuries... have hampered him..

Tam McManus was arguing his case saying it's just the life of a winger, 1 day you're skinning Alaba and the next you can't get by Brian Easton..

He needs to be cut some slack now. As excellent as Sinclair is, if that was shooders that was anonymous as him, he'd get absolute pelters..

Should have a wee tune by now as well..

 

He is rising to the challenge and there is plenty more total quality to come from him especially in Europe after Christmas.

 

Brilliant performance last night. Can the people who hate to be proved wrong please give him the praise he deserves. If he keeps playing like that Brendan will play him before Roberts (when fit) in Europe, no doubt about that.