James McFadden and Neil Lennon name Celtic trio who can hold their heads up high despite Hearts loss

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Another bleak day for Celtic, and more question marks for Brendan Rodgers after the defeat to Hearts on Sunday.

Not many Celtic players can hold their heads up high after the defeat at Tynecastle, because it was a deserved win for Derek McInnes’ men, and an abject performance from those in green and white.

The issue here is that there have been several occasions this season where Celtic have looked off colour, and it’s a reason why the champions of Scotland are eight points behind Hearts in the Premiership table.

But amid that gloom, James McFadden and Neil Lennon wanted to give their flowers to three Celtic players who were positives on a forgettable afternoon.

• READ MORE: Hearts’ Cammy Devlin makes his feelings on Callum McGregor clear after clashing with Celtic captain

Callum McGregor, Sebastian Tounekti and James Forrest praised despite Celtic’s loss to Hearts

Callum McGregor started for Celtic, and also levelled the scores in the first half, as Lennon told Sky Sports Football (26/10/25), he was one of very few stepping up to the big occasion.

McFadden also wanted to highlight James Forrest, who came off the bench, and how he ‘looked bright’ on an afternoon where the Hoops didn’t create much.

Whilst Lennon wanted to also mention how he was ‘surprised’ Sebastian Tounekti was hooked off by Rodgers after an hour.

“That’s not an excuse,” said McFadden on Celtic playing on Thursday night. “You look, last week against Dundee. They could have played until the next day. They didn’t look like they were going to score. They didn’t look like they were going to get back in the game.

“The same again against Hearts. They go two goals behind. James Forrest came on, and he looked bright. Shin has a shot, and it’s blocked. 

“But, after that, it wasn’t a constant peppering of the goal. Hearts managed the game really well. Defended really well and got it forward. Turned them when they had to. They never took a backward step.”

Lennon: “You know, in a big game, Faddy. You are looking for your big players, aren’t you? So, McGregor steps up and gets the equaliser. 

“Apart from that. I am looking at the rest. Engels. Does he get a grip of the game? Does he take control? No – he (Hatate) was quiet. Balikwisha came on and was jogging about.

“I was surprised he took Tounekti off. I thought he was the one source of good play in the first half.”

Should Forrest start for Celtic?

The damage is done, in terms of the Hearts defeat, and Celtic can only put that right against Falkirk on Wednesday evening.

Then it’s the big one against Rangers on Sunday for the League Cup semi-final at Hampden, but who should be starting on the flanks for Celtic?

With Daizen Maeda out injured, Benjamin Nygren struggling as a wide player, Michel-Ange Balikwisha still yet to come to life, and Yang looking even worse, then Rodgers surely has to throw Forrest back into the XI?!

• Minutes played for Forrest vs Hearts: 30
• Touches: 27
• Key Passes: 2
• Passes in the opposition half: 14/17
• Dribbles (successful): 1
• Fouled: 1
• Ground duels (won): 4
• Tackles (won): 1
• Clearances: 1
• Sofascore rating: 7.0 (Only McGregor rated higher vs Hearts)