Michael Stewart believes it’s a “no-brainer” for Scotland boss Steve Clarke to select James Forrest for the upcoming EURO 2024 tournament given his burst of form at Celtic.
Forrest has netted four goals in his last five appearances for the Bhoys, with the latest double coming against Dundee in his first start since November.
The Celtic winger is showing class and composure in big moments for his club and has been lauded by manager Brendan Rodgers in many media appearances over the last fortnight.
It’s led some to raise the point of whether Forrest should be selected in a 26-man squad for the summer extravaganza as Scotland face off against Switzerland, Hungary and hosts Germany.
Stewart is adamant he should be involved, despite Forrest not winning a cap for his country since the summer of 2021.
James Forrest’s EURO 2024 chances
The pundit said on Sportscene: “I’d be thinking about it if it was a 23-man squad, never mind a 26-man squad.
“These are the sorts of moments he has quality. He has the end product. He’s in these areas and can recognise where he can affect the game.
“There’s no nervousness, there’s no panicking, he gets into the area and gets a slice of good fortune but it’s just in the back of the net.
“Brendan Rodgers is skirting around the issue with Scotland talking about the intensity of the game – I understand what he’s saying and Celtic is his focus but if we’re talking about the national team in the summer, I think it’s a no-brainer that James Forrest would be in the squad.
“It’s not as if right wing-back is his best position and somewhere you would want to be playing him. But with the problems we’re having at right wing-back at the moment, it’s somewhere that Forrest could cover if he was in the squad. One hundred per cent I would be having him in the squad.”
Extra motivation for Celtic winger
Clarke has been rocked by numerous injuries of late and who makes his final list is hard to call at this point.
It would be a surprise to see Forrest come in from the cold in the Scotland set-up but if he’s playing like this then there’s no reason not to seriously consider him.
The motivation of a league and cup double is no doubt enough, but these kinds of discussions are surely an extra incentive for the Celtic man to continue performing at his peak.
If he can help fire the Bhoys to silverware with a consistent run in the team, he could be on the plane to Germany.
