Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers thinks his prior comments about James Forrest being the best winger at the club are being proven right.
The veteran came on just after the hour mark in the Hoops’ dramatic Scottish Cup semi-final with Aberdeen last weekend and made an almost immediate impact.
Indeed, not long after he was introduced, the 32-year-old showed great quality to cut in from the left-hand side and accurately stroke the ball into the far corner.
It was a fine finish from a man who has not played as much as he would’ve liked to this campaign.
Forrest has had game time, but perhaps not enough to make a significant impact on his team’s season.
When he does play, however, he can be pivotal, no more so than last Saturday at the National Stadium.
With Daizen Maeda likely not back until the Hearts game at least along with Yang and Luis Palma not proving particularly impressive versus Aberdeen, there is a case to play Forrest at Dens Park tomorrow.
He changed the game seven days ago, and manager Brendan Rodgers thinks his prior comments about the wide man being the best in his position at the club are being proven right.
He said: [Celtic FC on YouTube] “I think people were surprised when I said he was the best winger here but I think you see now what I was meaning.
“How he looks after the ball, his game understanding, how he protects it. He’s one of the best wingers I’ve ever, ever worked with at receiving the ball close to the line because he very rarely loses it. He can create goals, score goals.
“I think now the challenge for any players when they grow older is the intensity, especially in a team where intensity is the demand. But that doesn’t take away the contribution he can have. And I see it every day in training.”
