Could last night have been the re-start of James Forrest’s Celtic career?
There have been many false alarms over the last few seasons, bursts of form, sparks of excitement but inevitably ending in injury with a succession of muscle strains pushing the winger further and further out of the first team picture.
When Ronny Deila took over last summer Forrest was given a separate fitness programme as the first team squad prepared for Champions League qualifiers.
At the start of the season, during a dazzling 6-1 demolition of Dundee United, Forrest appeared as a 69th minute substitute but left the pitch dejected after breaking down in the move that led to Jo Inge Berget scoring in stoppage time.
Following that breakdown Deila examined Forrest’s injury record in detail- discovering that he had missed almost a year of football due to injury over the four previous seasons.
A detailed programme was put in place to bring the 23-year-old to full fitness, appearances have been sparing, with the frustrations of supporters spilling over in criticism.
When Forrest came on as a substitute against Inter Milan in the San Siro he looked like a lost bhoy, playing in the lone striker role after John Guidetti had been replaced.
Sunday’s League Cup Final win over Dundee United virtually summed up his recent times at Celtic. Coming on as a 70th minute substitute for Kris Commons he scored the goal that killed the match then took one of the worst penalties that Hampden has ever seen after a squabble with Guidetti.
With Stefan Johansen suspended for the Scottish Cup replay against Dundee United last night Forrest got the nod and took full advantage of the opportunity.
His pace was a constant threat forcing a series of corners as he probed down the right wing.
“He’s going in the right direction,” Deila said last night. “He has more consistency in training and in matches. He is so hard to deal with with his pace, the ball is at his feet all the time, they struggled to cope with him.
“I’m so happy for him, there is more to come, we know what type of player he can be.
It’ll take more than a few performances to banish the injury problems that have dogged Forrest, it may take until next season to see him starting to fulfill his potential but if Deila achieves it one of the key attacking roles in his Celtic template could be filled.