John Hartson puzzled by James Forrest international snub

By John Reid

March 26, 2019

John Hartson has admitted he was bemused by James Forrest’s latest Scotland appearance. The Celtic man was kept on the bench as Scotland toiled against San Marino.

Forrest did come in the second-half and proved to be the match-winner. He set up Johnny Russell’s goal in the 2-0 win.

Therefore, Hartson can’t understand why Forrest didn’t start the game.

(photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)

“A class act”

“The Celtic man is a class act, one of the best Scots around, and should be the first name on Alex McLeish’s team-sheet” he told the Evening Times.

(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

“And yet he began on the bench against San Marino, the world’s worst team, in a game in which Scotland needed to score goals.

“No offence to the other lads, but there is a reason they play for their team and Forrest is at Celtic.”

Lack of game time helped Celtic

(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Forrest’s lack of game time for Scotland has actually helped Celtic though. The player is fully fit and will be raring to go for Sunday’s Glasgow derby against Rangers.

Therefore, it would have been a huge blow for the Hoops if Forrest had picked up an injury. Thankfully this hasn’t turned out to be the case.

Forrest is one of the match-winners in the Hoops team. With Tom Rogic and Ryan Christie possibly out of the Glasgow derby, he will be a key man on the day.