Celtic are now dealing with a decision that can no longer be avoided, because Martin O’Neill has said it out loud. His admission has turned James Forrest’s role from a simple squad option into a first-team selection issue with real consequences.
After Celtic beat St Mirren the calls to start Forrest have grown impossible to ignore as he continues to impact games from the bench. Each appearance has pushed the question closer to the surface.
Now, with the Celtic manager openly acknowledging the dilemma, the balance between caution and trust is no longer internal. It is shaping how Celtic use a player who continues to deliver.
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Celtic selection call now hinges on O’Neill’s own concern
O’Neill has already admitted he is considering starting James Forrest, and his reasoning leaves little room for interpretation.
The Celtic boss said, “James has made a big, big impact in coming on in games and that is difficult.
“Sometimes you don’t even get to the pace of the game until the game’s too late but he has made big inroads in matches recently.
“Even at 34 years of age, he retains that little bit of zip. Now James is, I suppose, crying out to start matches but I would be naturally a bit concerned, he’s had a couple of hamstring problems in the past.
“And it’s not just that I’ve immediately dismissed that.
“Of course, it’s in my mind lots and lots of times about starting him in games and then thinking maybe he won’t last.”
Forrest’s influence over Celtic’s results is not in doubt, and the manager’s own words confirm the decision to start him is being mulled over for the title run in.
Celtic risk underusing Forrest despite clear impact
The issue is no longer about whether Forrest can contribute. His influence from the bench has already answered that, particularly when entering games late and still finding a way to affect them.
What remains is whether Celtic are limiting Forrest’s impact by keeping him in a controlled role. The concern over previous hamstring problems is real, but it is now directly competing with what he offers on the pitch.
The risk is clear. By managing minutes too tightly, Celtic may be reducing the overall impact of a player who is still capable of shifting matches in their favour.
Celtic now have to decide whether the evidence on the pitch outweighs the concern off it, because O’Neill has laid the dilemma bare. This is no longer a decision they can afford to delay if they want to maximise what James Forrest still offers.
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