Sadly, it looks like James Forrest’s time at Celtic is coming to an end. Last night on The Celtic Star, James French compared the contribution from Hyun-Jun Yang to James Forrest in the game against St Mirren.
To be fair he could have also done the same thing with Luis Palma and also Daizen Maeda and reached similar conclusions, that Yang was the star of the four wingers utilised by Brendan Rodgers in midweek.
James Forrest has often been the whipping boy for a section of Celtic supporters, and unfairly in my opinion.
He’s served the club well and has made 476 appearances for the club scoring 101 goals and assisting 100 plus as well. He’s also won an astonishing 23 honours with the club. That is legendary status.
But James is now 32 and it’s safe to say he is past his best. With his style of play and injury problems James career was always going to hit that brick wall, and sadly, that’s what has happened.
That’s not a dig at James as he is a superb talent and has been a great servant for the club, but every player has their day, even the best of them.
James no longer has that bursting bit of pace to get past players and his goal scoring touch seems to have gone also. That’s what James game is based on and if he’s no longer got it, then it looks very bleak.
He missed a chance against St Mirren on Wednesday that a couple of years ago he would have scored. The same thing happened at Easter Road and there has been a couple of other examples this season. His body language also suggests he knows his time is coming to an end.
Brendan though still thinks he’s got it, so we have to trust him, but I can’t see it. Sadly, James’ time looks like it’s coming to an end. Hopefully he proves me wrong and if he does no-one will be more pleased than myself!
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Matt Corr’s new book Majic, Stan and the King of Japan is out now and Neil Lennon, the Celtic captain that season, has written the foreword for us.
You can get a signed copy of the hardback version direct from Celtic Star Books by clicking on the image below. It’s also available an an e-book via Amazon Kindle and please note that all colour photographs that appear in the beautifully presented printed hardback book are also available in the Kindle version of Majic, Stan and the King of Japan…
Rodger$ has just said he’s the fastest sprinter in the squad?
He’s been a great servant to us as you say but sadly it looks like his time is up. Worryingly, BR still appears to favour him but we wasted the first half against St Mirren with him on the pitch as he contributed little or nothing and that’s been the pattern for a while now when he’s selected.
My jury’s out on Palma just yet – yes, he looks a clever player and has an eye for a pass and a goal but unfortunately lacks pace so I’m concerned he could be found out when the oppostion become more familiar with him.
Yang certainly looks the part with his ball-playing trickery & pace but his end product needs to improve – and soon.
For me, the most outstanding prospect of the new influx is young Holm – he looks a very neat/skilful player … clever, quick and totally comfortable on the ball. I’d like to see him get a run of games now.
Forrest has had his day, he’s only holding back a developing player now.
Palma has some qualities but can’t pass a player.
Maeda seemed disillusioned when he came on, I’m sure he ignored Brendan at full time.
OH needs some starts, he has power, good close control and a bit of pace.
Holm will be good in the future, several positives with him.
Philips will go back to Liverpool, he was very shaky v St Mirren.
Lagrbielke should have had a chance again, he is on a contract where Philip’s I short term loan.
Taylor can leave immediately, he puts more pressure on our defense than the oppositions.
Turnbull has never recovered from his injuries, thank you and all the best at next club.
Would still class Forrest as worthy of a squad place, yet would question how he’s been used in game time currently?
It’s to our shame within the club that we still can’t produce a Scottish based player to take his place within a CL squad, and still looks a long way away as of yet.
Mikey Johnston was meant to be that player, and now starting to look like it will never happen now.
Vata looks to be for the off also, so where is the replacement for Forrest going to come from?
Rodgers currently seems to be on the experience buzz, which puts Forrest ahead of yang?
Maybe that experience counts for something within CL, but I’m failing to see or understand as to how?
Our whole right hand side of the park worked so poorly the other night, with the amount of experience within it, so what’s this experience buzz really all about?
Still believe Forrest role within a squad, is to be used as a sub, to replace the better option available, when a game has been already won.
No issues with that approach, but starting and chasing a goal within a game, hasn’t got to much chance of being successful imo.
Don’t understand why people would want to slag off Forrest for all he has given to the club over the years?
How he’s currently being used as a player, I would still question, but that’s one for Rodgers to answer, no one else
Palma only has one but could easily have been two CL goals in 3 CL games.
When a young player has a poor game ,hes inexperienced and needs loaned out , when an older player has a poor game hes past it and needs moved on , standard verbal mince from the couch coaches , and yes i am one , 🙂
I read James French’s article. I have to say I feel that you have expressed the issue in a more appropriate fashion.