James Forrest

He was overrated

 

Imagine Larsson's numbers over 14 seasons...

 

Made a real difference today when he came on. Great to see.

 

Still has plenty to offer based on his cameo today.

 

Was impressive actually..

Rinsed his man a couple of time's and make a good run in behind that was wrongky flagged..

 

Is there a bit of life left in the old dog yet? Won't go overboard but he's definitely looked much sharper recently.

I'd have him every day over Maeda at the minute and that's something I would have never said last season.

 

Aye, Maeda was really disappointing today.

 

Wee Jimmy was rolling back the years today, nice turns and looking to be direct.

Always good for keeping the ball safe as well.

 

Agree, his decision making is normally good. Was sharp today. Good to have him in the squad.

 

Always been one of my favourite players. Delighted to see him look dangerous today. True Celt that doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his Celtic career from some.

 

James back to his best, definitely an impact player to come off the bench and add some energy.

 

The thing that still looked evident is how much his pace has dropped off, he had a couple of great turns and touches where even a couple of seasons back before his injuries he would have been away but wasn’t.

 

Looked good. With more game time his form could improve but it's hard to see him getting a lot of time with Jota, Abada and Haksa ahead of him. I'd have him ahead of Maeda (for now) and bring him on after 60 minutes for a few games and see what he still has to offer.

 

Much sharper than Maeda yesterday.

 

ANGE Postecoglou last night indicated that he could turn to James Forrest in the Champions League encounter with RB Leipzig at Parkhead tonight due to the winger’s vast experience.

Postecoglou will be without his captain Callum McGregor, a veteran of many big European nights in the East End of Glasgow, due to the knee injury that is going to sideline the midfielder until after the Qatar 2022 finals.

Forrest has hardly featured for the Scottish champions in the 2022/23 campaign despite signing a new three year deal in the summer – the winger has made just five appearances as a substitute.




However, the 31-year-old looked bright when he came on in the second-half of the cinch Premiership match against St Johnstone in Perth on Saturday and helped the visitors to triumph 2-1.

Postecoglou admitted the Scotland internationalist’s experience of playing against top class European opposition could prove invaluable to his young team this evening in the absence of McGregor.


“When you are putting together a squad of players, sometimes from the outside people will say: Just get 25 good players and that’s it, you’re done’,” he said.

“That’s not how it works. Within a squad you need different types of players, different types of personalities, different levels of experience, if you are going to get through a season.

“The reason James is with us is because I know I can rely on him in big games, I know he has that experience. He trains really well every day, he is ready for his opportunities.

“He came on on Saturday and I thought he made a real difference for us. He is guy who I have no fear about playing tomorrow night.

“He is not one who is going to be overwhelmed by the experience. That is why he is in the group and I am sure he will make a contribution.

“He can bring the experience that Callum has. That is what you are looking for, particularly in games like tomorrow night. We are going to need others to fill that breach and he is one who can.”

 

31 isn’t even old in footballing terms now, most players get to 36/37 no bother so still a few years left in the bhoy

 

If he didn't have such a bad ankle injury in recent years he'd probably still be featuring regularly.

 

We can maybe compensate for Cals absence by shuffling our formation but you can't replace his experience. Tam and Nir being let go doesn't help matters, so players like Jamesy and Hart are going to be needed to steady the nerves of the youngerand less experienced players. Matt O'Riley looked like a deer in the headlights during the press confrence yesterday.