OH BROTHER, JAMES NEEDED A HEADS UP

AFTER Celtic scored the crucial third goal that ensured victory against Kilmarnock, the celebration was a curious affair. James Forrest ran off with his head in his hands, prompting scorer Ryan Christie to fear he’d been ruled offside. The reason for the winger’s anguish was he had just seen his header from pointblank range somehow saved by keeper Laurentiu Branescu before Christie bundled home. Forrest rarely scores headers, and to make matters worse, young brother Alan had managed one for Ayr United in a victory at Alloa 24 hours earlier. ‘I’ve only ever scored one, at Kilmarnock, but that was from about two yards out,’ he smiled. ‘My wee brother scored a header yesterday so I was desperate to get one. I’m not in competition with him. It’s just because he scored one and both of us don’t get many headed goals. ‘The boys told me afterwards it was a brilliant save but I think they were just trying to make me feel better. But I must admit I was a bit gutted.’ Forrest peppered the Kilmarnock goal all afternoon but agreed with Neil Lennon’s assessment that Branescu made some world-class saves. ‘Their goalie was right up for it from the start and made a good few saves,’ said Forrest. ‘Did I get the feeling I’d be here until midnight and not score? Yeah, we could have scored more and, while I’m obviously gutted not to get on the scoresheet, the boys are buzzing with the three points and the way we played.’ Forrest (below) is now eagerly anticipating a Betfred Cup quarter final against Championship crisis club Partick Thistle. ‘We’re on a good run and we’re back here on Wednesday night. That’s another big game and we need to get ready and go again,’ he said. ‘It helps that we have such a big squad because everyone is fighting to get in the team. There are international players not even in the squad and that keeps everyone on their toes.’ Eamonn Brophy was hoping to chalk up what would have been only Kilmarnock’s second win at Celtic Park since 1955 after opening the scoring. ‘You do start to dream when you go a goal up,’ he said. ‘But one lapse of concentration and Celtic can punish you — and that’s what happened. I was looking at the big clock, just waiting for the break, so to concede just before half-time (to Odsonne Edouard) was frustrating. ‘We were all gutted in the dressing room. ‘We have a big game against Hibs on Wednesday in the Betfred Cup, so we’ll look to put this behind us and move on.’