Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE HOUSE OF FRASER
Former Hoops coach says it’s vital that Celtic No.1 has found a home where he is appreciated again
lovable rogues by their team-mates.
Lennon said: “I was really impressed with Craig. He was quite open and I could relate a lot to it. We’re always on top of things in terms of the mental approach as well as physical.
“Craig was a fierce competitor and a brilliant player. And it would have been an inspirational message to a lot of people in the football community and the public in general.
“Mental health affects many people in many different ways.
“Personally, I’m feeling good. I’ve been trying to stick to a daily routine.
“As for Leigh, he is in a good place both mentally and physically. He has been doing all his work and extra with the fitness coach.
“The season was curtailed when he was coming into form but he should hold on to that and use it.”
FRASER FORSTER was at a low ebb when he returned to Celtic last year.
Mentally scarred by the trauma of going from being an England keeper to THIRD choice at Southampton.
His mentor as a kid at Newcastle, Terry Gennoe, could sense it.
Forster had endured a tough spell and needed lifting again. Physically, his attributes were never in question.
But Gennoe, who spent five years as goalie coach at Parkhead under Martin O’Neill, insists the biggest test for any keeper is the mental side of the game.
That’s why he believes current Hoops guru Stevie Woods was just what Forster needed when he arrived on loan from St Mary’s in August.
Forster was an integral part of Celtic’s nine-in-a-row squad – and pivotal to their League Cup success over Rangers in December with an outstanding display.
Gennoe said: “It’s so important as a goalkeeper to have the right person behind you.
“In some places Fraser’s had that back-up. But in others he might not have had it when he really needed it.
“On the mental side of it, the support you need when you make a mistake is vital. You still have to go on and play the same way.
“As a goalkeeper you can’t chase the game like an outfield player. You must have the mental strength to wait for the game to come to you – then you have to perform like nothing else has happened.
“Fraser has had difficult spells in his career. He had a tough time at Southampton after a brilliant period that got him into the England set-up.
“Everything was going swimmingly at one stage – but then he had a hiccup.
“That’s when you need someone to build you up to believe you’re in the best form of your life.
“When Fraser turned up at Celtic again he was down.
“But Stevie was the ideal guy at that moment to say to Fraser, ‘Hey, you’re a fantastic goalkeeper – there’s nothing wrong except your mindset.”
Gennoe is adamant that Forster is close again to being at the peak of his powers as a keeper.
The Geordie has six caps to his name and was back up to Joe Hart in England’s squads at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.
After injuries and losing his place at Southampton, Forster has been unable to gatecrash Gareth Southgate’s pool.
But Gennoe has urged the Three Lions boss not to overlook him because he’s being tested in Scotland every bit as much as he would be in the Premier League.
He said: “I’m sure Fraser is close now to the kind of form and mentality that got him into the England set-up.
“No disrespect to the Scottish game but in England, every week, the quality for outfield players is much higher.
“But as a goalkeeper you still have the same work to do in Scotland.
“You still need to have the same mental focus and make the right decisions every time.
“So for Fraser now it’s all about where he feels at his happiest.” campaign. McCall argues that the same thing could happen to Celtic.
“We all thought we could break the record,” admitted the Bradford City boss.
“We had the momentum but didn’t get there and, although there were other factors involved, we only had ourselves to blame.
“It was announced at the club’s AGM in November that Walter would be standing down as manager at the end of the season.
“Lorenzo Amoruso, another new signing, would become an excellent player for the club but he was injured and didn’t make his debut until
April so it was another blow.
“However, injuries to key men are part of the game and they could just as easily happen to Celtic next season – you really can’t legislate for these things.”