FORREST VOWS CELTS WILL GO FOR EURO WIN

JAMES Forrest has insisted that the Parkhead side will look to go for the win against Salzburg on Thursday night as Celtic look to unlock the next round of the Europa League.

Brendan Rodgers’ side only need one point from the game to guarantee progression into the knockout phase of the tournament but Forrest has insisted that Celtic will look to wrap up all three when they host group winners Salzburg. The Austrians have already qualified but are looking to make their own bit of history by becoming the first team in the Europa

League to claim 18 points with six group wins.

In any case, Forrest is wary of anyone suggesting that Celtic’s task is made easier by the fact that Salzburg apparently have nothing to play for.

“We have been in that situation before in league games when people look at us and say that we don’t need to win a game,” said Forrest. “It’s rubbish.

“It’s maybe a bit different because there isn’t the same pressure upon you but a professional football player never walks into a game thinking that they are just turning up for a kickabout.

“You have your own professional pride. You are playing for a team and for a jersey. You don’t know if there will be players starting the game who have a point to prove to the manager or whatever.

“We will just concentrate on ourselves. We know what we have to do and we’ll concentrate on that.”

If Celtic get the point they need, it will be another little piece of history for Rodgers.

Getting through at the expense of Bundesliga side Leipzig would represent the first time in their 15 group campaigns in Europe that Celtic would have qualified at the expense of a team from one of the top five Uefa-ranked nations.

“It would be good for us but, again, I don’t think we can worry too much about that,” said Forrest. “The most important thing is getting the result that we need.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in a Celtic team that has gone for a draw – not at any level. The only approach we know is to go and win the game.

“That is how we will play against Salzburg.”