It might have been lost in amongst all the chatter about transfer stories and the discussion around facing David Martindale’s Livingston at Celtic Park today. But during Ange Postecoglou’s media interview this week, he once again recognised the impact of winger James Forrest.
At the weekend, Celtic had thrown everything but the kitchen sink at it in order to grab the lead up at Pittodrie against the Dons. However, after making a fee changes here and there, we managed to overcome an Aberdeen team that would not venture out of their own six-yard box.
It was tough, it was torrid, and it was tumultuous at times. We got the breakthrough in the end up though and it was nothing less than what we deserved – which is more than can be said about Mick Beale’s rag-tag band of misfits, who lucked out thanks to some scandalous defending during a monumentous collapse from Jim Goodwin’s heartless side.
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Edinburgh, Scotland, 22nd October 2022 James Forrest of Celtic sores the 1st goal during the cinch Premiership match at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh. Picture Neil Hanna / Sportimage
No, we were throughouly and justly rewarded for our efforts in a game that we were so dominant it became almost like an open training session for the Bhoys, we had that much possession of the football. Amongst the changes made that afternoon up in the North East was the introduction of James Forrest.
The Celtic Centurion sure has defied the odds time, and time again; just when he seems to be coming to the end of the road at Parkhead, he sparks into life once again and becomes paramount to Celtic success in Scottish football. It’s a relationship that has bore more than its fair share of fruit for both parties and the Hoops supporters should be eternally grateful for his years of service.
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Celtic v Hibernian – James Forrest with the matchball Photo Steve Welsh
Ange Postecoglou said of the wing wizard: “I like James out wide because he’s different to our other wingers and that’s what we’ve tried to create with all our front players, for them to be different in what they bring and depending on the game they can make an impact.
“He came on and when there is congestion in the box he’s one that’s very good in tight spaces and making very good decisions and I thought, not just for the goal, he made an impact. To be fair, he (Forrest) makes an impact every time I start him or he comes on.
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Celtic v Hibernian – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic s James Forrest left with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday October 15, 2022. Photo Steve Welsh
“He’s not had a lot of game-time, but we rotate a fair bit and I like James in a wide area because I think he gives us something different and I like the fact when we make these changes we’re not just changing like for like, we’re asking questions of the opposition if they’ve got into a certain rhythm.”
Tonight may well be another night in which we need to rely on our reinforcements from the bench. Martindale and his side frustrate the life out of the supporters and suffocate the game at all costs against Celtic. Just like last Saturday, we could well see another of our home-grown Bhoys make a massive impact on the game.
After all, it was James that laid on the ball to Callum with a lovely flick back-pass for his rasper of a strike into the net of Kelle Roos.
Don’t bet against Mr. Forrest stepping up to the plate again tonight…
Paul Gillespie
Perhaps we may see Jamsie on Sat.
Ange playing lip service to a great servant he didn’t sign.
Hail Hail