FORREST IN FROM SHADOWS

JAMES FORREST is in the form of his life. At the age of 26, a talent which has threatened to break out is now shining regularly at the highest level.

Forrest’s display against Bayern Munich at Parkhead in the Champions League was his best in the competition.

His tally of 10 goals at this stage of the campaign is easily his finest return. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers (right) could always see the potential – even before he took the job. It was just a case of bringing it out of hiding.

It took less than a day for that hunt to begin as he smiled and said: “When I accepted the role I made a few calls.

“I wanted to get round and talk to players and I was aware of where he was at with his contract.

“So I spoke to him on the phone and told him I’d seen him break into the team with Neil Lennon and always liked him.

“I thought he was dynamic and skilful and looked like he had an end product.

“You know, he wasn’t the type of player to do 50 tricks on the ball then lose it.

“He was effective and a really good player.

“He hadn’t played many games the season before I came in but when I spoke to him on the phone I reassured him that we could work well together.

“Everybody loves him here. His temperament is wonderful. So I sat him down and said to him, ‘It’s like you’ve been on loan for two years. Where have you been?’

“It’s about developing the strengths of players. I just had to stimulate him to know that he has to be part of a team and from that in pre-season he was arguably our best player.”