Forrest: Reo had no idea what I was trying to tell him
James Forrest has revealed new Celtic star Reo Hatate was left dumbfounded by his attempts to tell him he had been as named Man of the Match against Hibs.
Footage of the winger laughing as he repeatedly tried to break the news to the Ho o p s new signing went viral among supporters last Tuesday night.
However, while most viewers took Hatate’s smiles at the end as proof the message had got across, Forrest explained that was far from the case.
“He didn’t have a clue what I was saying,” said the Scotland man.
“I was speaking too Scottish for him so someone else had to tell him.
“I can’t really remember his reaction to my efforts but someone sent it to me afterwards and it was funny.”
With Matt O’riley arriving to make it five new signings in the January window, Forrest says he and his fellow players are bullish about the club’s prospects.
“All the boys that have been here for a wee while were talking about it the other day,” he said.
“Obviously we didn’t win anything last season but it is kind of exciting again and I think there is a freshness that comes with Ange and playing with new players from different countries.
“Yo u c an lea r n something new from having that, it doesn’t matter what age you are.
“I think that’s the case now with the Japanese boys arriving and someone like Jota coming in.
“They have always settled in well, they seem really good within the group, and they seem to really fit with the way we play because they all work really hard, which is what you need in the Scottish game.
“It is good to be involved and the squad is exciting just now. We have won the League Cup already and are just looking forward to rest of season.”
One of the reasons for all the reinforcements has been the toll the high-tempo football Ange Po s t e c o g l o u demands from his players not just in games but also in training.
Yet if it has been at lea s t partially responsible for a spate of minor injuries, Forrest would not have it any other way.
“I think with any new manager it is always a case that every players needs to adapt to the way the manager wants to train,” he said.
“I think it is good, and especially good for attackers.
“Yes, it is intense but it is all for the benefit of us on match days.
“If we train hard we can take that intensity into games. We have a lot of players that are adapting to the way he wants.
“It is just what we need to do but it is enjoyable, definitely for myself and other attackers.”