Determined Forrest focused on future

If James Forrest was angry with Alex McLeish for being left out of the Scotland team in Israel a few days after scoring four goals for Celtic, he did a fine job of hiding it, writes Eric Nicolson.

The in-form winger is focusing on the big games to come for his country rather than dwelling on the disappointing international doubleheader just completed.

Forrest, who started Sunday’s friendly defeat to Portugal and was one of the main beneficiaries from a change in formation, said: “You work hard and try to play well for your club so you can get into the national squad.

“I was buzzing coming on in Israel in difficult circumstances.

“So I am buzzing to get playing games for Scotland and I am looking to get in the manager’s plans and to play in more matches under him.

“We need to make sure we are ready to take off in the next international break.

“We need to come back and get a good result in Albania away and that would be good to take us into the second game at home against Israel.

“The defeat in Israel last week wasn’t good and everyone knows that, the players and staff.

“We just need to bounce back.” Even a narrow loss in Albania wouldn’t kill off Scotland’s chances of progressing to the next stage of the Nations League.

So the well-worn football phrase “it’s in our own hands” is certainly applicable to the Scots’ situation.

“We know if we turn up and look after ourselves we can do it,” said Forrest.

“We just need to get a positive result and performance and I am sure everything will change.

“We know we are capable of winning both games. We can’t go in just thinking we can do it. We need to turn up and do it – everyone from the goalkeeper right up to the strikers need to be at it.”

The Celtic factor has been important for Scotland in the past, particularly under Gordon Strachan, and Forrest believes it could be again in the future.

“There were a few Celtic boys involved against Portugal and that was good because it brings a bit of familiarity,” he said.

“I thought we put in a better performance against Portugal although we were disappointed with the final scoreline.”

James Forrest: “Buzzing”.