O’DONNELL’S JOY AT REUNION WITH OLD PAL FORREST

IT’S not the straight fight for a jersey that Stephen O’Donnell ever expected. Competing with former Celtic youth team-mate James Forrest for a place as Scotland’s dual threat at right wing-back? Definitely not something he saw in the tea leaves. The Kilmarnock full-back, a surprise early hit of Alex McLeish’s second time around with Scotland, joked: ‘Not much competition, is there? Wee James only got four at the weekend — and I had a poor game against Dundee! ‘We all have our strengths and weaknesses. I’m not going to kid myself on that I’m better going forward than James Forrest. ‘I’ve got more defensive attributes, a bit more height and things like that. ‘If it was a shoot-out between us, I would be delighted for James. He’s a great guy and someone I’ve got huge respect for. ‘We played together at Under-19s and he’s one of the first players I remember. ‘You sometimes get a bit of jealousy towards players when they do well. But he was outstanding from a young age. ‘If he keeps going the way he’s going, he can be regarded alongside some of the Celtic legends.’ Invited to pick out a favourite memory of their time as team-mates, O’Donnell said: ‘He probably won’t remember it because he’s had so many good ones. ‘But we played in a tournament in Villarreal. I was right-back and he was right midfield. It was against Real Madrid, Milan, Japan — then Liverpool in the final. ‘It was my first season and, when I got to play with him, I thought: “He’s different gravy. If he doesn’t do well in football, there’s something far wrong”. ‘I was just giving him the ball and looking good playing a five-yard pass. I was the water-carrier. I just gave him the ball and he did the rest!’ Self-effacing words aside, there is always the possibility of both Forrest and O’Donnell playing for Scotland. Putting the old band back together, as it were. Has the Killie all-rounder considered mentioning as much to McLeish? ‘Listen, I wouldn’t dream of telling the manager what to do. If I get any minutes over the next two games, I’ll be delighted.’