James Forrest

James Forrest is one player struggling to get into the Celtic team right now, but Postecoglou says chances will come.

The long-serving winger recently signed a contract extension and the Hoops boss backed him to play a key role.

He said: “James has been at this club for a very long time.

“If you asked him if he’s ever felt he was guaranteed a spot in this team, or this club didn’t have more than two great wingers, I’d be very, very surprised. I don’t think anything has changed for him.

“Yeah, it’s a challenge at the moment getting game time, but the reason we kept him on last year and re-signed him is because I still think there’s value in him.

“He’s an experienced guy and he still has the skill-set and temperament to perform at the highest level and he’s training really well.

Through pre-season so far he hasn’t missed a session for us and is working as hard as he can to make sure that when his opportunity comes along, which inevitably it will, he will be ready for it.”

 

Had this debate with some of my mates, but just throwing it in here.

Does anyone think he just isn't a winger?

He has something about him, a definite eye for goal, strength and power, but do you ever trust him to beat a fullback? Livingston away last season apart, he has absolutely no left foot.

Bit late for a position change I guess, but could he be a decent attacking midfielder, arriving late in the box, a false 9 or something along they lines?

 

Definitely a winger in my opinion, just someone who’s struggled to return to form following a serious injury, which has exacerbated his decline.

 

Injuries don't help for sure, I just think all his best moments that you think of came from getting in the box and scoring goals, even that hat-trick for Scotland.

I can't think of many games where he's roasted a fullback like Jota or Abada.

 

He destroyed Alaba in the home game against Bayern albeit playing more of a wing back role.

Think it’s forgotten how good he was for a few seasons under Rodgers then Lennon due to how quickly he has declined.

 

I just think he can leather a ball and finish, might be better used in another role, especially as he gets older and the pace drops off, injuries defo took their toll.

 

Still got it, he's just got somebody in front of him right now younger and probably a second or two sharper.

 

Hard to see him getting much game time. Only 10 minutes of league action so far, and we're just about to sign another winger.

 

Definitely a winger. Sure he's lost a bit of pace, but I don't think he has the technicality to play in middle.

 

This is a good point. But would you say Giggs went from being a LW to more of a LM? ie, someone who sat a bit deeper and looked to play balls in behind or switch the play, rather than beat his man and get towards goal?

I don't think Jamesy has that in him, but it isn't a bad shout.

 

Fair enough, I didn't watch much of Man United around that time.

Also to be fair, we are comparing Ryan Giggs with James Forrest here...

 

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Indeed, to the best of my knowledge Forrest never volleyed his burd for making an * of the dishwasher.

 

Giggs has a neck though.

 

Please dont compare James Forrest to Ryan Giggs!! One of thems a die hard Celtic man, the other is an utter * of a man!!

 

For a fella with only one leg he's an outstanding footballer, but there's no way he starts above pretty much any of our wide players these days. I'm happy to keep him around if he's happy solely being a squaddie and coming off the bench - he can definitely be used as a sub.

He's 31 now and been with us his whole career since he was a wee yin. Should definitely look into transitioning him into the coaching team if it's up his alley.

 

Needs a move for game time. Barring an injury crisis he doesn’t come off the bench.

That said, we’ve gave him a three year deal to meet European registration criteria, so presumably he’s happy with that.