Celtic made life difficult for themselves, once again, but they got over the line against St Mirren in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.
The theme of the season continued, and that’s Celtic’s bench players making a huge impact on the game, as James Forrest proved with his cameo performance.
Yes, Kelechi Iheanacho’s brace was huge in the Hoops beating St Mirren 6-2 in extra time, but Forrest more than played his part, as Neil Lennon and Alan Hutton wanted to give the winger his flowers.
Hutton: “Everything good has come through him. He is so aware of what is around him. He has been excellent.”
Lennon: “He is just a brilliant footballer. James is so clean in his technique. It’s the quality, and he’s a good finisher. And he is efficient with both feet.”
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Neil Lennon thinks James Forrest is ‘underused’ by Celtic after Scottish Cup semi-final win v St Mirren
Lennon managed Forrest at the peak of his powers, and now, in his twilight years, he will face the veteran on May 23.
That’s because Celtic will lock horns with Lennon’s Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final, and Forrest will be hoping to add trophy number 30 to his crazy collection.
Many of them were won under Lennon, who was on commentary duty for Premier Sports when Forrest came off the bench to ignite Celtic’s goal crazy six minutes.
In the 96th minute of extra time, Iheanacho scored the first of his two goals, and by the time the clock hit minute number 102, Benjamin Nygren was celebrating because goal number six had been registered.
A lot of that was thanks to Forrest, who was rightfully lauded and applauded by Lennon and Hutton on Premier Sports (19/04/26).
Hutton: “Everything good has come through him. He is so aware of what is around him. He has been excellent.”
Lennon: “He is just a brilliant footballer. James is so clean in his technique. It’s the quality, and he’s a good finisher. And he is efficient with both feet. And you touched upon earlier, he still has that wee burst to get away from people.”
Premier Sports commentator: “Is he underused in these last few years for Celtic?”
Lennon: “I think so, yeah. I remember when Brendan (Rodgers) came back the first time, I think it was the semi-final against Aberdeen, he turned the game on its head and to Celtic’s favour. He went on to have a brilliant time in the run-in. Celtic got over the line that year.
“He is just a modern-day legend of the club.”
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