Forrest blow for Clarke ahead of vital tie with Israel
James Forrest is out of Scotland’s Euro Play-off against Israel on October 8.
The Celtic wide man hobbled off injured during the Hoops’ Europa League win in Riga on Thursday night, and won’t be fit in time for the Hampden showdown.
And in another development, his boss, Neil Lennon, last night appealed to Odsonne Edouard’s critics to show the striker some understanding as the transfer window reaches its hiatus.
Despite a valuation of anything up to £40m, the French Under-21 star has been linked with moves all summer.
That has led to his performances on the pitch coming under intense scrutiny, with some suggesting he has become disenchanted with life in Scotland. Lennon insists that is not the case. “He is a human being at the end of the day, and he is just 22-years-old,” he said.
“There is always a bit of agitation when the window’s open, but speaking to him, he seems content enough.
“OK, he didn’t have the best of games in Riga, but we know what we have got with Odsonne. He is a quality player.
“We don’t want him to go, and we have had no significant interest in him as yet.”
Arsenal have been the club mostconsistently linked with Edouard. The London giants bought Kieran Tierney for £25m last summer.
Celtic remain in the market to bring players in, with Charlton winger Alfie Doughty one of their top targets.
Rangers are also looking south, and remain hopeful of landing Preston midfielder Daniel Johnson.