Scoring will now do Scott world of good
SAYS JAMES FORREST
The full team was right behind Scott
THERE was a certain irony in Scott Sinclair rediscovering his sparkle in the week Celtic face a big Europa League night against a team bankrolled by energy drink giant Red Bull.
Voted the best player in Scotland in his thrilling 25-goal breakthrough campaign at Parkhead, the gifted attacker’s performances of late have lost their fizz.
But after scoring an exquisite backheeled winner off the bench against Aberdeen on Saturday, the ‘anger’ Sinclair felt at being routinely — albeit justifiably — left out by Brendan Rodgers spilled out in his emotional celebration.
Team-mate James Forrest knows moments like those can prove a turning point in a player’s career.
Playing second fiddle to Patrick Roberts 12 months ago, an injury to the on-loan Manchester City winger gave Forrest an unexpected chance to shine against Bayern Munich.
The Scotland international duly used the Champions League stage to deliver his finest performance in a Celtic jersey and went on to notch a career record 17 goals for the season. Now he is hoping Sinclair’s big moment against the Dons can re-energise the former Manchester City attacker, giving him wings ahead of Thursday’s daunting trip to face Red Bull Salzburg.
‘I was absolutely delighted for Scott Sinclair scoring the winner against Aberdeen on Saturday,’ said Forrest. ‘You could see from the celebrations that everyone was buzzing for him.
‘He was emotional and the full team was right behind him.
‘We know what Scott can do. It is important to have him back and scoring goals.
‘In football, there isn’t any player who hasn’t had (setbacks) at some point in their career.
‘There are ups and downs along the way. It is how you come back from them and coming on and scoring the winner on Saturday will do Scott the world of good.
‘His goal at the weekend was really good. But a wee lucky goal or a deflection is equally welcome. That can do you the world of good, as well. For me, that game against Bayern Munich last season was unbelievable.
‘It was a great game. We lost 2-1 but we were unlucky not to get something from the match. But those are the games we all want to play in and impose yourself on. It’s all about being positive and confident and that’s what we want Scott to do.
‘We all know he is a real threat going forward. You can see that with the amount of goals and assists he has had in his last two seasons at the club.’
Despite Red Bull’s millions, Champions League football eluded Salzburg this season as they were knocked out on away goals in the qualifiers by Red Star Belgrade. But they reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season and are on fire domestically, with nine wins from nine in the Austrian Bundesliga.
After a 3-2 opening-day Europa League home win over Red Bull stablemates RB Leipzig, German boss Ralf Rangnick boldly declared Salzburg are one of the finest teams on the continent.
But Forrest is hoping to help Rodgers achieve his aim of reaching the Europa League knockout stage to make up for the disappointment of failing to qualify for the Champions League. ‘The manager has said we want to be in Europe after Christmas especially after the disappointment of going out of the Champions League,’ said Forrest.
‘We are in a very hard group but we are looking forward to the campaign and we started with a home win over Rosenborg.
‘We’ve played Salzburg before, four years ago in the Europa League, but I think they’ve changed about half their team since then.
‘But this is definitely going to be a tough game. They’ve won nine games in a row in their league and they will be looking to keep their winning run going.’
In stark contrast, Celtic have not had their troubles to seek
domestically this season after their worst start to a league campaign in 20 years.
Rodgers’ side have yet to win an away game in the Premiership, losing at Tynecastle, drawing at St Mirren and being defeated at Rugby Park.
But the double-Treble winners have bounced back from their Kilmarnock setback with a Betfred Cup win at St Johnstone and Saturday’s home league victory against Aberdeen.
Seven clean sheets in their last eight games is another welcome sign for the champions.
‘After the Killie game, we have had two positive results and we have kept two clean sheets as well,’ said Forrest.
‘In our changing room and on the training ground we have all been feeling positive.
‘We know we have the ability within the squad and the last two performances have definitely been better from us.
‘The defenders and the goalkeeper have been defending well but we have also been defending as a team.
‘Now we want to kick on and score more goals. We have been creating chances and I think once we start scoring a couple of goals that will give the team confidence.
‘We want to go out on a high before the international week.’