Feelgood factor that brought Forrest out of exile to reign again

WHEN James Forrest est dispatched an n arching penalty lty kick into the net to send Celtic into the Champions s League group stages in 2013, 013, he was a man with the he world at his feet.

And yet, it is only in recent weeks that there here has been a glimpse of that at same player.

Injuries, lossl oss of form,f orm, disgruntlement nt and frustration all flatlined a winger who has been held up as one of the creative centre pieces ieces of a Celtic squad by a cataloguealogue of previous managers–Neil il Lennon, Ronny Deila and Brendan rendan Rodgers have all pointeded to Forrest as the guy to make e a difference at Champions League eague level.

He might realise that again tonight. As Celteltic prepare for tonight’s £20m game against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, For- rest is a pic- ture of calm.

No nerves, no doubts, just a pure sense of conviction thatt Celtic will finish the job b they started in Glasgow last Wednesday night.

“I would alwayslways trust us to score,” said Forrest. “If you look at the way we are playing just now, there is loads of pace in us. We are able to move the ball forward quickly and we are getting our rewards for that.

“Guys like Scott Sinclair have come in and made an impression right away. Kolo Toure has helped to bring some experience but Scott is fast and when we get the ball moving forward you know that Leigh Griffiths can always be relied upon to stick away any half chance.

“We can score in Israel. Obviously there will be a game plan and we will stick to that. But everyone knows we are almost there. It would be amazing to get back into the Champions League. Those nights are amazing. I still remember the noise and the feeling when I scored that penalty against Shakhter Karagandy. I remember everyone jumping on top of me. Being in the group stages means so much to everybody.”

FORREST has been given a renewed sense of purpose under Brendan Rodgers, and the signing of a new deal at the club when he had spent months lingering by the exit door has enabled him to concentrate entirely on his football.

And the player has insisted the big change has come about

not simp l y through what he is doing on the ball but rather what he is doing off it.

“The manager has told me what I should be doing when the team don’t have the ball,” he said.

“I know what he wants, how he wants me to press and I feel as fit as I have for a long time.

“There is also a really good feeling around the club. Everyone is buzzing. Then place is excited.

“I think we can all see through the performances that we have a good shape about us. Everyone wants to be part of it.”

Flimsy defending was the undoing of Celtic at this stage last season when they were undone at the final step by Malmo.

That same uncertainty in defence remains and there is an argument that Celtic will be best served tonight by playing to their strengths and going for an away goal rather than trying to protect their 5-2 lead.

That too lends itself to an accusation of naivety and runs the danger of being too

I know what the manager wants me to do do. I feel as fit as I have done for a long time and there is a really good feeling around the club

exposed at the back, but Forrest believes that however Celtic line up there will not be a question of anxiety.

“We know what we have to do,” he said. “We feel we belong in the group stages of the Champions League. Meanwhile, a ticket into the group stages will bring an estimated £20m into the Parkhead coffers. The added funds will strengthen Celtic’s hand going into the final week of the transfer window, although the pulling power of being in Europe’s premier competition should not be under-estimated either.

“It always gives everyone a boost when you see other players come in,” said Forrest. “You can see the lift that Scott Sinclair gave us, while Moussa Demeble has already scored a few important goals.

“It definitely helps. If we do make it into the group stages of the competition then we will need a good squad because there are so many games.

“It is exciting. Everybody wants to play. The team are playing well. We feel as though we are good enough to go up against anyone. Our focus is in making sure that we get on the plane tonight with a place in the Champions League.”