Sinclair record not on Forrest’s radar
DOES anyone remember a young footballer by the name of James Forrest?
He was that Celtic winger who, in one game in six, looked an absolute world beater and for the rest of the time couldn’t beat a man for love nor money.
When in the mood, this was a kid who could speed past defenders as if they weren’t there, but too often this player of such high promise was left on the periphery of games.
It was just over two years ago that Forrest turned down the offer of a new contract at the club he’d always played for and also supported. The general consensus was that his agent had fixed up an English team but that wasn’t the case at all. Forrest just wanted out.
Enter Brendan Rodgers. One of the first things he did was to call Forrest to ask him what he wanted and the reply surprised and at the same time heartened the new manager.
“I want to play for Celtic,” was the answer.
The Forrest pre-Rodgers has long been retired. The new and vastly improved 2017 version is consistently good to great, scores and makes goals, beats men for fun and the biggest occasions gets the very best from him.
Now 26, he still looks 16, the Prestwick lad has won 12 trophies, scored three times in winning League Cup Finals, and his club statistics read 260 appearances, 48 goals and 42 assists.
This season has easily been his best. Against Hamilton in Wednesday night’s 3-1 win, Forrest scored his 11th goal, a well-timed run and lovely first touch took him past goalkeeper Gary Woods, and these days it’s hard to imagine a Celtic team without him.
Rodgers must take a lot of credit for this transformation but so, too, should the player himself.
“The 11 goals I have so far is the most I’ve ever scored in season and I just want to keep going now,” he said. “We’re only halfway through and I want to get better.
“When the manager came in 18 months ago he let the forward players have a bit of freedom. He wants everyone to add goals to their game and I’m glad I’ve done that to contribute to the team.
“It’s a team game and, for the manager, it’s good to get goals from all over the park. Scoring helps my confidence and I just want it to continue.”
Last season, Scott Sinclair scored 25 goals and it’s far from outrageous to suggest Forrest can target such a tally.
“Honestly, I’ve not thought about it,” he said.
“Scotty’s record last season was tremendous and even this season he’s scoring and is always a threat. I think that’s what I’ve copied but I need to keep adding goals.”