With six games to go this season and two trophies still on the line, Brendan Rodgers will be relying on Celtic’s more experienced players to help get the Bhoys over the line.
There’s a core of the squad that has been there and done this before. Even more recent signings such as Alistair Johnston and Reo Hatate have enjoyed treble success.
Last week at Hampden, it was notable that Rodgers turned to James Forrest to help change the game in the second half of the semi-final against Aberdeen.
Forrest has won a remarkable number of trophies at the Bhoys and has popped up with more than a few crucial goals during his lengthy tenure at the club.
Rodgers had a lot of praise for him at today’s media conference and it seems the winger may well be in line for an even bigger role over the coming weeks.
Brendan Rodgers on James Forrest’s importance
In fact, the Celtic boss has been candid in suggesting Forrest perhaps should have had more minutes than he has this season.
Rodgers said [Celtic FC YouTube]: “He’s a remarkable professional. From the first time I met him back in 2016, I know there were some noises about him maybe moving or going but I never felt that at all.
“His professionalism and his focus are absolutely phenomenal. How he looks after his body and how he prepares himself has never wavered.
“There are times this season where he’s maybe felt that he should have played more and maybe I should have played him more, I don’t know.
“What I know is I was never, ever going to rule him out because I know what he gave me in my first time here and in the spells this time when he’s played he’s been absolutely brilliant.
“He’ll be an instrumental figure for us, whether it’s on the pitch or off the pitch over these closing weeks.”
What Forrest offers Celtic right now
In recent matches, we’ve witnessed wingers such as Hyunjun Yang and Luis Palma look a little frantic on the ball. They’re desperate to make an impact but there has been a lack of composure in their game.
Forrest brings that composure and calmness to Celtic’s build-up play. At times it may well slow the Bhoys down but in the right situation, he can be an effective weapon.
With the pressure on and the stakes rising all the time, we know that the 32-year-old can find that cutting pass or shot that unlocks a dogged defence. We saw that at Hampden last week and hopefully there’s more of it around the corner.
