The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Forrest welcomes news of doors opening to fans
CELTIC: Hoops winger admits ‘small numbers’ will help atmosphere
Celtic winger James Forrest has welcomed the news that fans are set to return to matches next month.
The game has been played behind closed doors this season due to coronavirus restrictions.
However, supporters were given some positive news when First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that, from September 14, “sports stadia will be able to reopen, though only for limited numbers of spectators and with strict physical distancing in place”.
Celtic began their quest for Champions
League football without the help of their fans on Tuesday night with a 6-0 qualifying win over Icelandic outfit KR Reykjavik.
Forrest looks forward to seeing supporters back in the stands, even if the return is gradual.
He said: “When we were in France playing a couple of pre-season games, a couple of thousand fans made a difference, so I think that that slight atmosphere, home and away, will be beneficial for the players.
“On Tuesday night, you could hear all of the players on the pitch and the coaches from the dugouts.
“We just want to keep winning games and putting in good performances now, and hopefully the fans will be looking forward to getting back in.
“If it’s only a small number at the start, then that’s what it’ll be and hopefully we can then keep getting more and more people back in.”
Celtic’s hammering of KR Reykjavik earned a home game in the second qualifier against Hungarian champions Ferencvaros next week, in another tie that will be settled on the night.
The Scotland attacker, speaking ahead of the trip to Dundee United tomorrow, said: “We just need to adapt to the oneoff games.
“In cup ties in Scotland as well, anything can happen and we know that we need to be at our best and hit the ground running straight from the start.
“We’re at home, which gives us an advantage, and we need to make sure that we turn up and put in another good performance.”
The game against United will be Celtic’s third league match of the season, following a 5-1 opening-day win over Hamilton and a 1-1- draw against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Forrest said: “We’ve not played at Tannadice for a few years, but they have started this season strong and it’s a game that we’re looking forward to.”