Shilts is Jor man PAIR’S TWITTER PARTNERSHIP

NOTTINGHAM FOREST keeper Jordan Smith has a new mentor and mate – none other than England legend Peter Shilton. Shilts (right) spent five years at Forest in the late 70s and early 80s performing wonders between the posts. During that era under Brian Clough, he was a key figure in the club winning the league – and lifting the European Cup twice.

Smith, only 23, never saw him play live but learnt all about him through Forest-mad dad Darren. And he admits meeting Shilton last month – and then striking up a close relationship on Twitter – has been incredible. Smith, who faces Arsenal in the FA Cup third round, said:

“He’s a hero of mine and my dad’s. So to meet him two weeks ago was fantastic.

“He set 15 minutes aside – and was as good a listener as he is a talker. “They say, ‘Don’t meet your heroes’, but he blew that one out of the water straight away – he was brilliant.

“The interaction has continued on Twitter. I love speaking to him. “Whether it’s football or general life, he’s brilliant.

“I have the chance to pick his brain and if I can take any of that into my game it will be great.” Smith will have to be at his sharpest to keep out Arsene Wenger’s cup holders today. But whatever happens, Smith will be hoping to impress another of his idols – Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech.

He added: “He has pretty much done everything. I love watching him. He’s fantastic.

“I do like to model some of my game on what he does.” Sep 2016: N Forest 0 Arsenal 4 Jan 1999: N Forest 0 Arsenal 1 Aug 1998: Arsenal 2 N Forest 1 Mar 1997: Arsenal 2 N Forest 0 Dec 1996: N Forest 2 Arsenal 1

N Forest – 26 wins Arsenal – 50 wins Draws – 22 HARRY PRATT