In defence of James Forrest as Celtic criticism is mounting

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It seems to be the done thing to write off James Forrest at Celtic these days.

He’s had injuries, he’s now in his 30s, he’s not as quick as he once was. Those are the main themes when he is brought up on fan message boards and social media.

Some even say the ravage of time means he is no longer Celtic calibre.

All I’d say is, dismiss him at your peril because it’s happened before and he’s come back to be a big player for Celtic.

It’s true that his form recently has been frustrating, that’s kind of undeniable. He isn’t scoring, he isn’t creating and he’s simply not the Forrest we know and love.

It is also true that it was the correct decision to take him off at half-time yesterday vs Dundee United. We badly needed Jota on that pitch, coupled with the threat of Liel Abada.

However, Ange Postecoglou is also going to show patience with the Scotland international because there are mitigating factors for all of this.

Forrest has had a torrid time with injuries over the last 12 months. When he’s not been on the sidelines he’s been getting back up to full match fitness only to become injured again.

This not only takes a physical toll on players but also a mental one. You’re not as sharp. You’re hesitant. It’s difficult to play with the careless abandon that has marked Forrest out as one of the most dangerous attackers in the Scottish Premiership for years.

That he has been a massive drain on Celtic this season is also absurd. The Bhoys have won the last seven games he’s started. He also scored the only goal of a crucial League Cup semi-final against St Johnstone.

The winger is playing a strong enough role for Postecoglou to keep the faith. And he deserves the faith of fans right now too.

Forrest has won an incredible 19 trophies at Celtic and, frankly, he has earned the benefit of the doubt as he ramps back up to full match sharpness.

He doesn’t deserve treatise on his decline or glib comments about his age and how he’s ‘finished’.

A diminished role for Forrest at Celtic isn’t even necessarily the end if it comes to that. There are productive ways his career can still go at the Bhoys.

Right now it’s about him playing regular football, even off the bench, and learning to be that matchwinner for the Bhoys again.

In other news, “Incredible”; Matt O’Riley sends message to supporters on Instagram after first match at Celtic Park.