After all the excitement of James Forrest making his way back into the Scotland squad following a three-year absence, the Celtic winger didn’t end up playing a single minute at Euro 2024.
Forrest made an appearance in a warm-up friendly against Gibraltar but that was the extent of his international involvement this summer.
That’s despite Scotland struggling for chance creation and a spark in the final word – they were one of the worst attacking outfits in the entire tournament.
Forrest may not have solved massive problems in Steve Clarke’s set-up but in the eyes of some he was due a shot to make an impact off the bench in at least one of the three matches.
Former Scotland hero Kevin Gallacher has expressed sympathy for Forrest’s anti-climactic summer, believing he may well have proven he can still perform on the international stage.
Kevin Gallacher on James Forrest
The 53-cap forward said [Sunday Post, 30/06 print edition]: “When you are an older player, it is the hardest thing to take. You are experienced, you have been through it all before and you are just hoping you get a little chance. Because then people will see what you can do and say there is still life in the old dog.
“That is the way James will have been looking at it. He was there to support the other players and, if a chance had fallen his way, I am sure he would have taken it.
“However, we don’t know what Steve Clarke’s thoughts were. To have given James a game, he might have had to change the shape of the team. That is the kind of thing the manager has to take into consideration.”
Forrest’s veteran squad role can still be effective
It’s likely at this point that Forrest will wave goodbye to the international set-up.
Even at the Bhoys, his future isn’t entirely certain. Yes, he played an effective cameo in the second half of last season, providing Brendan Rodgers with a viable squad option as new signings faltered.
Ideally, however, Celtic would be looking to strengthen the wide positions this summer in the transfer market.
Rodgers won’t rush to get him out the door without trusted quality in place, even with just a year left on his contract, and it would be little surprise if we saw Forrest again make a healthy contribution next year.