Ange delight for ‘legend’ Forrest
ANGE POSTECOGLOU last night hailed James Forrest for the hat-trick performance that yielded his 100th Celtic goal.
Chosen to start his first game of the season, the veteran winger marked the occasion in style by leading the charge in a performance that saw Hibs overwhelmed by a 6-1 scoreline.
Having made his 450th appearance for the club as a substitute in the midweek Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig, Postecoglou insisted that Forrest had long ago earned legendary status at the club.
He said: ‘Absolutely he has, you don’t stay here for that length of time, particularly in that position, otherwise.
‘Daizen (Maeda) doesn’t score for two games and everyone is on his back, so to last as long as James has is testament to his character.
‘He’s humble but determined to be the best he can be. Credit to him, he joins an elite club, 100 goals, which is fantastic for him. I keep telling players they’re the things that last beyond your career and you reflect on.
‘He took it well. It wasn’t just his goals, his general performance was really good.’
After a couple of injuryravaged seasons,
Postecoglou raised eyebrows when he signed off on a three-year contract extension for
Forrest, 31, last term.
He explained: ‘There was a reason we kept him around. It wasn’t sentimental reasons.
‘When you’re putting a squad together, it’s the sum of all parts that make it
strong. You need players like James. He’s experienced, calm and has quality.
‘He hasn’t had a lot of chances because players in his position have been doing well. But I had no doubt at some stage we would call on him and he would deliver.
‘Over the last few games, he’s made impacts coming on, so I could see he was ready to go. I’m delighted but not surprised.’
Never one to seek out the limelight, Forrest resisted the invitation of his team-mates to move to the front of the customary post-match lap of honour.
‘There was no chance of that,’ he laughed. ‘A couple of boys were winding me up, wanting me to dance in front of the fans.
‘I’m just delighted — it was my first start of the season, so to get get another hat-trick and 100 goals is unbelievable.
‘The manager said he’d change the team once the season got going. I felt good the last couple of games coming on and felt ready for a start.’
Forrest’s first Celtic goal came as a teenager on his debut against Motherwell 12 years ago and he admits it’s hard to comprehend what has happened in between.
‘You wouldn’t have believed this would happen,’ he added. ‘I’m grateful to have been here so long and delighted I’ve contributed.
‘I knew I was three short. I’ve scored two hattricks, so didn’t think
I’d get another but we started really well and, getting the first goal early,
I always knew we’d get chances. Having two at half-time, it was definitely in my head going into the second half.’ Celtic’s goal deluge was some form of vindication for Postecoglou (left), who has grown frustrated at his team’s failure to take chances in the Champions League — and even more so at those who suggest his side does not belong at that level.
He added: ‘Some of the reporting around us has been fairly ridiculous. I don’t know why but, lumping us in with other clubs — I just don’t understand that.
‘At Champions League level we’ve fallen short at taking opportunities. I understand we need to improve that but our will and endeavour to play football the way we said we would is there. My only fear is the boys lose focus or get distracted by outside noise saying we’re not playing well.
‘I know we are because all the underlying stuff is there. That’s easy for me to say but it’s about putting it into practice. The boys were determined and did that today.’
In addition to Forrest’s treble, Postecoglou enjoyed two goals from Giorgos Giakoumakis and one from the oft-derided Maeda, who claimed a late finish.
The win puts Celtic five points clear of Rangers, who play at Motherwell at lunchtime. Postecoglou continued: ‘The players were great. We wanted to put on a good performance and the energy and intensity we showed from the start was brilliant.
‘The quality of our football was excellent with some well-worked goals. We created good opportunities and credit to the team, it was a great performance.’