Was it just a co-incidence that Celtic finally hit top gear yesterday when James Forrest replaced Beram Kayal?
The sight of the young winger taking to field seemed to galvanise the side with the link between midfield and forwards re-established.
Racing into the spaces down the right flank Forrest provided Celtic’s play with a new dimension that was fully recognised by Neil Lennon.
“It was a huge bonus seeing James back,” the Celtic boss stated. “We’re able to go to our more natural formation when he’s part of the side. The likes of Gary Hooper come alive when James stretches teams.
“Players like him are hard to find anywhere. What price could you put on a James Forrest?
“He’s the best kid I’ve ever worked with and one of the best kids I’ve seen in a long time.
“The quality and the calibre of his play is there for all to see. He comes alive and makes people get up off their seats at times. To have him back at this stage of the season is great for us.
“He brings that pace to the team. You see Hooper, Lassad, Georgios Samaras all suddenly get a lift.
“Gary started finding the ball in pockets of space and when Jamesy takes off he opens games up for us.
“We were a wee bit stodgy in the first half because we didn’t have that natural width he brings. That pace is exactly what he provides us with.”
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no ones irreplaceable at that age, he’s got so much time ahead to improve. theres been so many players in the past that looked like they could be amazing but then never lived up to the hype. its all in forrests hands really, in 5 years time if he continues to improve and play well, maybe we could say he is irreplaceable
Hopefully there is a steady stream of boys at the back of him. I have to say though. I would sooner see hooper and wanyama go than lose forrest
Certainly not irreplaceable, Kayal had an industrious game, trying to force things forward…but seems well short of the player he was when he first arrived. Some slack passing and poor shooting. We clearly lacked width which didn’t help him or the team. Brown got wide for the 1st goal and this opened things up, settled us down.
Commons can play wide, but really lacks the pace, with both Lustig & Matthews missing we were short on the right. Asking Ambrose to push on left Mulgrew vulnerable, Wilson can be too easily drawn out of position.
Tony Watt has pace to burn, Dylan McGeough can play wide although both are better in more central roles. Too early for Paul George, don’t think Paul Shane is quite fit yet, while Paddy doesn’t have the pace / tempo to open up sides or offer us enough width.
We will probably need pace and guile to open up Juve. Much as Lenny will do his homework, so will they. They will know of our set piece threat, and will be drilled to limit those options, shepherding, as opposed to tackling. I feel our best chance of success is to get amongst, and beyond their defence. The wee man might just do that. He will get a few sore ones in non dangerous areas of the park. He has to take it, Jimmy Johnstone stylee. If he can, he can terrorise them! No fear wee man!
No he is far from Irreplaceable,the lad has many things to learnabout wing play,The first one is being a team player and releasing the ball to his strikers at the correct moment. As a former full back myself,A winger who continually hits the byline s nightmare to deal with.The repurcussions are obviouse if you are late with a challenge.Having an eye for a pass is vital, and this is the key for the packed defences we encountered in the past,and most certainly will be the case against Juve.All the great wingers we have produced have had that bravery in abundance to stretch a defence.
He’s no irreplaceable – but he’s doin a grand job convincing people that he just might be!
This kid will be the key in Turin.
HH 1NL YNWA
I will go out on a limb here and say we are going to reach the last eight by beating Juventus over two legs. Then, it depends on the draw after that. James bring back is a timely lift. The future is green and white, (not Green & Whyte)! Hail Hail and Merry Christmas to Tims one and all thoughout the world.
I agree Joe, I think it is tight enough to be decided on away goals. There won’t be many over the two legs, and a clean sheet for Forster at Parkheid is crucial..
All i have to say is well done all the Bhoys in the team they all played well
Wouldn’t like to entertain a bid for Forrest and dont expect Celtic would like to try and find a replacement for him… however, I remember a guy called McGeady was the subject of this same question… Forrest put that to bed with a few class goals, especially against PSG in a pre-season tourney… and McGeady was history! There will always be another iron that will stoke the fans fire and fortunately for us we have tremendous young talents at our club just waiting in the wings for a chance! HH!