JAMES FORREST has been a Celtic stalwart for over ten years, the right winger has been an influential part of the club’s current success and will be hoping to continue his rich form as Celtic look to surpass the record set by Jock Stein’s side in 1974 and win 10IAR. However, this season will be like nothing that the Scottish Champions have been forced to contend with the Coronavirus pandemic and a return to action behind closed doors.
Speaking to the Glasgow Times, Forrest has admitted that despite the stringent measures, he and his teammates were delighted to return to training, even if it was fitness.
“We have been back in over a week and other clubs are now training as well. It has given everyone a boost, the players and obviously the fans as well.
“We haven’t seen each for so long. Everyone was buzzing to get back to training. It is obviously social distancing training just now and we are all training in different groups. But everyone is just so delighted to be back at the training ground and back out on the pitch.
“Because it is pre-season it has actually worked fine. They have put a lot of thought into it. We are in four or five different groups of four or five players.
“It has gradually got harder every day. The boys have been enjoying it and I am sure it will just keep getting better. Hopefully we can do more as the different lockdown phases get released.”
Scotland is currently in Phase 2 of the lockdown roadmap meaning that only non-contact training can be undertaken by players. This doesn’t matter for the side as at the moment it is just pre-season fitness as the club prepare for an August restart.
“They have worked it out well. There are different times for different groups – there is morning, midday and afternoon. The boys have been changing groups, so you are training with different personnel. It has also been position based as well. Everyone has adapted to it.
“Everyone has their own slots. We all get our temperature checked. There is security at Lennoxtown as well. Everything has been really strict. We are getting tested twice a week as well. But everyone knows that is what we need to do, and we are all buying into it.”
Forrest was in impressive form last year with 22 assists and 16 goals in 47 games for the Scottish Champions. Despite occasional moans and groans from supporters, Forrest has continued to diligently continue to work hard and provide for the Scottish Champions and going into our 10-in-a-row season, it is imperative that this continues.
