Let’s start this one by showing you the Unique Angle from Celtic’s outstanding 3-1 win away to Livingston yesterday lunchtime…splendid!
🚨 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚 𝘼𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 🚨
Three goals and three points in Livi gave the Hoops fans a day to remember!
Enjoy the goals from our #UniqueAngle camera position 🍀#LIVCEL | #COYBIG | #cinchPrem pic.twitter.com/DC6rzjUn2Y
— Celtic TV (@CelticTV) March 7, 2022
It was a day of surprises at the Tony Macaroni. First up the manager caught many off-guard with his starting line-up, then Celtic went about showing a good game of attacking football could occur on Livingston’s horrific plastic pitch, and then James Forrest turned in a man of the match performance, scored his first goal since November, and with it ensured he has scored in every season for thirteen consecutive years as a Celtic player. Oh, and Celtic dispensed with a long-standing West Lothian hoodoo to boot!
So you’d assume when Celtic’s third goal of the afternoon hit the back of the net that James Forrest tore off his shirt and threw himself into an ecstatic away support – yet instead Forrest as reported by Football Scotland admits to being overcome by relief rather than excitement at a return to top form and goalscoring action.
“There was maybe a wee bit of relief,” Jamesy admitted. “It was to make it 3-0 as well so all around, I have not scored in a few games and it helped the team get to 3-0, so it was maybe a bit of relief.”
“I can’t even remember now, just relieved and buzzing that I scored. I have been feeling good. The manager is not bothered who scores the goals. A lot of this season we have spread the goals amongst the squad. That helps, you are not just looking at one or two players to keep scoring the goals, even though a couple have scored more than others.
“If I just keep working hard and getting the chances, they will come sooner or later.”
Not only was it Forrest’s first goal since November, it was rather surprisingly his first league strike of the season, and the winger also admits he wasn’t aware the chance to score in thirteen consecutive seasons was even in the offing until it was pointed out to him a few weeks back.
“Someone said that to me a couple of months ago and I have felt as though I have had lots of chances and just not been able to take them. Sometimes the harder chances go in. The manager always says if the forward players keep getting in the right areas then they will get the goals and I was glad I managed to do that.”
Now James Forrest has another target in mind as he arrows in on 100 goals in the Hoops – and while some players would prefer to deflect attention from such a target and pretend they aren’t even thinking about it, James Forrest is happy to admit it’s very much a number he wants to hit.
“It’s always been a target. When I scored my last goal, it seems a while ago now, I said that when you are playing with such good players in the squad you are always going to get chances and it will just come down to me whether I take them or not.
“I managed to get one today so hopefully, I can keep adding to it.”
“Normally it’s afterwards you talk about stuff you have done. I know it’s not easy. I’m not going to say ‘when I score four goals’. I am just going to keep working hard and try to add to that and help the team in the coming games.”
🗣️ “We knew it was going to be a tough game but credit to everyone”
Man of the match, James Forrest, praises Celtic’s performance as they finally end their Livingston curse and reclaim that three point lead in the Scottish Premiership title race 👇 pic.twitter.com/5QuL8MvWNZ
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 6, 2022
For James Forrest the last couple of seasons have been impacted by injury, and consistent gametime and form as a result has been hard to come by. For Forrest – and for Celtic – the return to form cannot come at a better time.
If James Forrest hits his 100 goal target, he’ll know he’s back to his best, meanwhile it will also have a positive impact on a Celtic side who sit top of the Scottish Premiership pile and only have eight games left in a title race few would have predicted they could win at the start of the season.
To ensure Celtic stay there a fit and firing James Forrest would certainly be a most timely addition to Ange Postecoglou’s end of season armoury.
Niall J
⚽️ Goals from @M_daizen_1020, James Forrest and a Nicky Devlin own goal gave Ange Postecoglou's side the win in a match they 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 from start to finish.
📸 Here's a selection of the best images from the weekend win.#LIVCEL | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG💪
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) March 7, 2022
