Celtic boss, Brendan Rodgers has had to make many tactical adjustments in his first season back at the club.
Losing top players like Jota, Carl Starfelt and Liel Abada coupled with the horrendous injury problems he had to deal with at the start of the season meant Rodgers found his return to Celtic really tough.
But that wasn’t the only thing that made the Hoops boss’ start at the club difficult. Celtic’s summer recruitment also didn’t help Rodgers as he made it clear that the majority of players brought in weren’t good enough to play for him.
And it seemed that his bid to successfully defend the title was on the ropes as poor form and results in December meant that Rangers were allowed to cut into Celtic’s healthy lead at the top of the table.
Rodgers praised for James Forrest’s Celtic return
Rodgers’ tinkering with the Celtic wingers showed that since the departure of Abada and Jota, the same quality wasn’t there on the bench.
As Hyunjun Yang toiled and Luis Palma blew hot and cold, Rodgers had to turn to the old guard and it was in doing that, pundit Gordon Dalziel believed won Celtic the title.
Dalziel said [Open Goal], “I’ve got to say the introduction in the last couple weeks of James Forrest has been his best move. His best move.
“He just looks like the young James Forrest. See punters, they do my head in because see when they get to a certain age, they write these players off.
“This guy is still as fit as he’s ever been.
“He’s more experienced and experience is brilliant in every walk of life and also, he knows how to get the job done.”
Forrest not only saved Celtic’s bid to win the title, the former Scotland winger also ensured that the Bhoys reached the Scottish Cup final with an inspired performance against Aberdeen.
The veteran winger has wowed the Celtic fans as he put in sparkling performances against Dundee, Hearts and Rangers to all but seal the title before the Kilmarnock win last Wednesday night.
And if Rodgers wants to ensure the Scottish Cup stays at Celtic Park, then Forrest must be one of the first names on the Hoops teamsheet on Saturday afternoon.