Burke keen to follow the Forrest path to success
Oliver Burke aims to use his Celtic loan spell to try to emulate the success of his new positional rival James Forrest.
With both men right wingers by preference, something is going to have to give over the weeks and months of Burke’s loan stint at Celtic Park.
However, far from being daunted about the prospect of having the man who hit five goals in his last two international appearances ahead of him, the 21-year-old cites it as one of the positives of the move north from West Brom.
“What James has done for Scotland is a big inspiration to me,” said Burke. “I really admire that and I look up to him in a way because of what he has done.
“Like myself, he has had pressure on him and proved that you can turn things around.
“Anything is possible in football. “So I’d say it’s great to be alongside him and training with him – and the other Scotland lads.”
Forrest’s improvement over the past two seasons has been dramatic. After failing to record a double-figure goal tally in his first eight seasons with Celtic, he hit 17 last season, and is on target for a similar total this term.
It is also no coincidence it has come about under the charge of Brendan Rodgers, who freely admits coaching improvement out of young players is his favourite bit of the job. He’s relishing the chance to work with a 21- year- old described by Kenny Dalglish as having“enormous potential”.
“With Oliver, I think it’s helping him see the game,” said Rodgers.
“He is a bright boy and has good technique. But he needs to work on his efficiency.
“It’s recognising that if you’re a winger or a striker, you’re judged on your numbers. But how can we help him? How can we improve and develop him?
“Talk him through it, coach him, give him confidence. “Then let’s see where he’s at because there’s no doubt – when you saw him break onto the scene – it was a ’wow’ feeling.
“He wants to learn and is really enjoying the environment. He came in for a week in Dubai. It is hard to press at your best in 30-degree heat. But he worked at it and now he is back in being coached. “Again it’s just about building on what his strengths are. And this is a guy with huge strengths.” All of which is music to the ears of Burke, a young player who experienced some tough times struggling to make the grade at both RB Leipzig and his parent club, West Brom.
“Brendan Rodgers is a fantastic manager. He has brought in some great players and worked with some amazing talents here too,” said Burke.
“That was key to me coming to Celtic. I will progress as a player if I listen, learn and take everything in.
“I feel like I have been dying, starving from not playing games. It’s been very frustrating.
“I’ve been asked this so many times – everyone must know how I feel about not playing football. “That’s all I want to do.
“I love the game and the only thing on my mind when I go home each day is the question of why I’m not playing.
“I know I can do better each day and that’s why I’m here. “Hopefully, now I can come here, enjoy myself and play games. That’s really important to develop me as a player.
“I want to train as hard as I can, give everything for the club and fight for a place in the team.”