Forrest not invincible and four other things Celtic learned against Hamilton

By Connor Gordon

November 26, 2018

Celtic got the victory against Hamilton Accies on Saturday but it showed star man James Forrest isn’t invincible.

It was a quiet match for the Scotland international who was marked out the game on a tight pitch.

Fortunately, the Bhoys put their plastic hoodoo behind them and Izaguirre returned.

Forrest falters at Hamilton

The 27-year-old winger is the man of the moment at Celtic.

All Accies eyes were on Forrest, but he struggled to make an impression at New Douglas Park.

Forrest not at his usual best against Hamilton on Saturday. (Photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)

The tight plastic pitch and doubling up did a job on Forrest who hardly contributed.

Celtic were comfortable without his influence, so we can let him off.

Brown should stay out at Rosenborg

Captain Scott Brown is recovering from injury and was in the stands on Saturday.

Talk during the game was that he will return on Thursday in Norway.

However, the Bhoys have been so strong so far without him that he is surplus to current requirements.

Thursday is an important game for Celtic’s Europa League future, and it’s a game where they must attack.

Brown’s introduction could interrupt the team’s rhythm and a player will have to lose out undeservedly.

That would most likely be Christie, who deserves his spot after scoring at the weekend.

Emilio fulfilling duty

Honduran back-up left-back Izaguirre returned to the team for the first time since the end of August.

Emilio was bought to help out with the massive run of games until December. An ankle injury kept him from playing for a couple of weeks.

It’s nice to see Izaguirre back, as the the matches start to come thick and fast.

Griffiths back on fire

Another player back from oblivion is striker Leigh Griffiths.

He returned with a literal bang as he smashed a free-kick past goalkeeper Gary Woods.

Leigh Griffiths celebrates goal with tattoo of his kids. (photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)

Griffiths had been out since the beginning of October with a mysterious injury.

Saturday’s goal will have been a relief and it’ll be hoped this will kick off a run of games without injury.

Celtic win on plastic

The Bhoys managed to prove doubters wrong who thought Celtic struggle on plastic pitches.

Brendan Rodgers men have already been beaten by Kilmarnock and drew with Livingston before the break.

No such troubles were had on Saturday as The Hoops seemed to cope with the astro-turf.

Celtic will be looking to all important Rosenborg tie on Thursday in the Europa League. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Fortunately, there were no injuries and the group moves on to Thursday’s Rosenborg tie.

The Europa League clash will be a tougher test, but this confidence booster against Hamilton will have done no wrong going into Thursday.