Wing and a Prayer: Forrest “coming off the crutches”, Johnston “cameo performances”, Dembele “be patient”

We’ve said it before and it’s worth repeating again, the real value of James Forrest to the Celtic side is only really appreciated when he’s out injured. And for those hoping for a speedy return for the right winger who has been out since suffering an ankle injury in Champions League qualifier against FC Riga in September.

Neil Lennon has now revealed that Forrest – who other than captain Scott Brown – is the only Celtic player to have been at the club throughout the nine championship wins in a row – has suffered a further set-back and will be out until at least the end of January 2021. However there’s more encouraging news concerning Mickey Johnston who is getting closer to a first team return after spending pretty much all of 2020 out injured after suffering a knee injury away to St Johnstone back in January.

“He is coming off the crutches at the weekend which is a step in the right direction,” was the Celtic manager’s update on Forrest, as reported by Glasgow Times. “We are probably looking at the end of January. By then we will have an idea of where he is. January would be too soon.

“Mikey Johnston is back in training, he will play 45 minutes with the development team on Monday so we are assessing him. Again it will be maybe cameo performances from Mikey while we work on his fitness.”

Another winger who has been conspicuous by his absence is young  Karamoko Dembele amid rumours that the highly sought after teenager had refused a new deal at Celtic. Nothing official on that but the Celtic manager did reveal that the England Under 20s youth star needs to develop physically before he’s first team ready.

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“He is 17 so again he had a lot of attention when he was younger but he is just making steady progress with the development side. It is difficult for the kids because there is no real games programme for them this year and we have had to try and find games for them sporadically.

“We just have to be careful with him and not throw him in too early.  We just have to be patient, we know he is a quality player but physically he still has a bit of development to do to be part of the first team squad.”

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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