With only four matches left in the Scottish Premiership and a slender three-point lead at the summit, Celtic’s title aspirations received a massive boost, thanks to a masterclass from James Forrest in their latest clash against Dundee. Forrest bagged a brace in his first start since November, becoming the linchpin in Celtic’s 2-1 victory.
The winger’s stats from the encounter speaks volumes of his influence: two goals from two shots on target, showing lethal precision in front of the goal – his first goal was a thing of beauty. He significantly overperformed his expected goals (xG) of 0.59. Beyond his goals, Forrest engaged in 44 touches, with three crucial ones in the opposition box. Despite being dispossessed once and failing to win aerial duels, his 50% success rate in ground duels and a perfect tackle rate with two out of two tackles won, Forrest showed he could contribute to both phases of the game.
He is playing like a man possessed and like a player who has a point to prove after being overlooked so many times this season.
Looking ahead, Celtic’s run-in is as challenging as it gets, with back-to-back home fixtures against Hearts and Rangers that could define their season. Forrest’s timely return to form poses a pleasant dilemma for the coaching staff. Should they leverage his experience and recent momentum as a starter, or should he be utilised as an impact substitute, as they did in the Scottish Cup semi-final?
Adding to the selection complexity is the imminent return of Daizen Maeda. The fleet-footed winger’s availability for selection raises the question: Does Forrest’s recent performance warrant a continued presence in the starting eleven, or should Maeda, who offers a different dynamic upfront, be given the nod?
Forrest’s recent showcase has cemented his ability to turn a game on its head, a quality that could be invaluable during the title run-in. As the stakes get higher, his capacity for clutch moments might just tip the scales in Celtic’s favour, whether from the outset or off the bench.
| James Forrest vs Dundee Stats | |
|---|---|
| FotMob Rating | 8.9 ★ |
| Minutes Played | 72 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.59 |
| xG on Target (xGOT) | 1.17 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Expected Assists (xA) | 0.22 |
| Accurate Passes | 19/28 (68%) |
| Chances Created | 1 |
| Attack | |
| Shots on Target | 2 |
| Shots off Target | 1 |
| Blocked Shots | 1 |
| Touches | 44 |
| Touches in Opposition Box | 3 |
| Successful Dribbles | 1/2 (50%) |
| Passes into Final Third | 5 |
| Accurate Crosses | 1/2 (50%) |
| Accurate Long Balls | 0/2 (0%) |
| Dispossessed | 1 |
| Duels | |
| Ground Duels Won | 3/6 (50%) |
| Aerial Duels Won | 0/2 (0%) |
| Defence | |
| Tackles Won | 2/2 (100%) |
| Recoveries | 4 |
| Dribbled Past | 1 |
James forrest is possibly Rodgers love child currently, and going someway to actually trying to keep Rodgers in his job imo?
That overall was shocking woeful with forrest the only player to show any moments of real quality within the match?
This was a team with 8 regular treble winning players from last season, and forrest who is such a seasoned and decent professional within the club for many a year also?
So 9 players starting who are well familiar with the demands of the club, and we got that woeful performance in return?
Of course it will be looked upon getting the 3 points is all that matters, yet it remains questionable if we even deserved the 3 points at all?
I think forrest will start again next week within the same starting line up as yesterday imo?
But if these performance levels stay at what we saw yesterday, then this title race has still a long way to run yet imo?
On the bigger picture, we have far bigger problems to overcome, and the biggest question still remains as to why Rodgers with the returning Maeda, has 9 treble winning players at his disposal now, and still can’t find a 90 minute performance from them?
And forrest who is part of the Celtic furniture these days makes it 10 players, and only 1 showing there true potential currently?
Those are the more alarming stats that can’t continue to be ignored imo?
I don’t think Dundee are mugs, they are full of loans from the championship, all big physical guys who nudged our players of the ball with ease many times… They were better than the huns and deserve to be in top 6.. Still, it could have been 3 if reo had finished it.