Not Daizen- Brendan Rodgers reveals Celtic’s fastest player

Thirteen years on from his debut James Forrest is the fastest player in the Celtic squad.

The winger turned 32 during the summer but has made nine appearances this season and retains the confidence of his manager, back in 2016 Brendan Rodgers completely revived Forrest’s career that looked to be drifting away.

It is an easy throw away comment to say that a winger in their thirties has ‘lost a yard’ but the data from Lennoxtown last week suggests otherwise.

Daizen Maeda covers an incredible amount of ground up and down either flank but it seems that in terms of raw pace he isn’t the fastest in the Celtic squad.

Discussing Forrest, Rodgers told The Sun:

Even at 32 he’s still our quickest winger. We did tests the other week and James is still my quickest winger. He’s up there with Daizen, believe it or not, in terms of sheer speed.

He might not be able to do it as much, or for prolonged periods of the game, but his actual football is still outstanding and he can definitely come into the team and impact the game.

I think every game he’s had he’s been able to do that, whether he’s started or come off the bench.

He could have got the winner for us at the weekend. Listen, we understand the modern world and the want for shiny new things.

But I’m not going to throw guys to the garbage who I know are still very, very good players and who can make an impact for us. James came in and did really well.

With the three wingers signed in the summer making a limited impact it seems likely that Forrest will have an important role to play over the coming months, possibly starting Wednesday’s match at home to St Mirren.

Luis Palma has started the last three matches, over seven days against Hearts, Atletico Madrid and Hibs but looked badly out of touch at Easter Road.