The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dyer not overawed by Forrest challenge
Willie Dyer insists Celtic winger James Forrest is already a stick-on for Player of the Year, but doesn’t want to give him the platform to showcase his burgeoning talents even further tomorrow.
Brechin ace Dyer is facing up to the prospect of trying to tame the 26-year-old Parkhead winger in tomorrow’s Scottish Cup fourthround tie when Darren Dodds’ Championship bottom dogs travel to take on Brendan Rodgers’ starstudded Premiership champions.
Defender Dyer is a huge fan of on-form Forrest, who has terrorised countless defenders already this season, but the exdundee full-back is in no mood to allow the Hoops favourite to run amok in this weekend’s clash in Glasgow’s East End.
Dyer said: “Forrest has been unbelievable.
“Even at this stage in the season I can’t see past him for Player of the Year. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t get it.
“He’s been that good, and what he’s done to some defences has been frightening, really.
“Watching bits of him on television highlights, and from speaking to various people in the game, it’s obvious he’s in the form of his life and can only get better at this stage in his career.
“It’s a big ask for any defender to attempt to keep him quiet for 90 minutes, but hopefully he doesn’t have one of those afternoons when he just runs the show.
“I know it’s a tall order but that’s the job of our defence to try to somehow halt him in his tracks.
“People are raving about him, and rightly so. He deserves all the praise because his game has come on leaps and bounds.”
Dods’ part-time Angus outfit are still without a win in the league following promotion from League One last season, but Dyer is adamant they’re not going to Parkhead to be lambs to the slaughter.
He added: “It will be a break from the Championship, which has been tough going this season.
“We feel we should have more points than we have but it’s been a learning curve for everyone.
“This tie at Parkhead will take things to another level altogether, but as long as we can do ourselves justice we’ll be happy.
“It will be a first time for many of our players to go to a stage like Parkhead, and hopefully the surroundings can help us raise our game on the day.”