Joe Ledley thinks 32-year-old Celtic player can still have ‘massive’ role behind the scenes

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Celtic have a number of fringe players at their disposal who will prove to be useful for the title run-in over the next few weeks.

Stephen Welsh is one that has come in and done a decent job as injury cover at centre-back and Anthony Ralston has proven to be a reliable backup to Alistair Johnston over the past twelve months.

But it’s James Forrest who has been receiving the plaudits this morning from his former teammate, Joe Ledley.

The Welsh midfielder was praising the veteran winger’s work at the club and hailed the unseen work Forrest puts in behind the scenes to ensure Celtic remain the dominant force in Scottish football.

James Forrest’s Celtic dressing room influence

Ledley said [Daily Record print edition page 44], “To have someone like that with that vast experience of having been there and done around the training ground and bringing people on is massive at any time, but even more so this time of a season.

“What you do off the pitch and away from a matchday can be just as valuable to a squad and to a manager. It is all about setting standards and making sure that everyone is up to speed.

“Also making sure everyone around the group realises how much this title, and any title, means to the club.

“Seeing him come on the other day against St Johnstone and scoring is fantastic, but he can play a massive role off the park, too.”

Forrest is clearly a respected member of the Celtic squad. With 25 winners medals to his name, the Hoops winger was a major part of the Hoops’ second nine-in-a-row, the Quadruple Treble and was also one of Brendan Rodgers‘ best players in the Invincibles and Double Treble seasons.

Forrest his 25 goals and 23 assists combined in those seasons and he also won Player of the Year. If there is anyone who can ensure a winning mentality is shared in the Celtic dressing room then it is the legendary winger. [Transfermarkt]