Sportscene pundits Stephen Craigan and Michael Stewart are in no doubt that James Forrest should be included in Steve Clarke’s plans for his Euro2024 squad going to Germany this summer.
The 32 year-old Celtic winger has now forced himself back into the Celtic starting XI and Brendan Rodgers was rewarded for his faith in the club legend with a stunning double at Dens Park that keeps Celtic on course for a remarkable 12th title in 12 seasons.
Steve Clarke must see it for himself
Speaking after showing the highlights from Celtic 2-1 win at Dens Park on last night’s Sportscene the two former players praised the Celtic star man and were happy to give the national team manager their recommendations for Forrest to be included in the Scotland party heading to Germany this summer.
Craigan said: “People are having the same discussion around Steve Clarke having Craig Gordon as his second choice, even though he is not playing at Hearts, because of his big game experience.
“James Forrest epitomises that. He is fresh and hasn’t played a 50 game season where he is gonna be flagging come mid-June.
“He is feeling good about himself, scoring goals and feels like he’s an important part of Celtic. It almost makes a mockery of Celtic, that they signed four wingers in the summer but James Forrest is still the best one.
James Forrest, 100 per cent
“He is the most decorated Scottish player still playing and knows what it is like to play in and affect big games. If you are Steve Clarke chasing a goal in the Euros and are thinking ‘who can I turn to? Who has been here before and done it?’ James Forrest, 100 per cent.”
With both Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson both currently injured and major doubts for the summer, Michael Stewart even rates Forrest as a contender for the wing-back role.
It’s a no brainer
“It’s a no brainer for me,” Stewart said. “With the problems we are having at right-wing-back at the moment, it is somewhere that James Forrest could cover if he was in the squad. I would 100 per cent have him in the squad. Even if it was a 23-man squad never mind 26.”
Here’s Brendan Rodgers speaking about James Forrest after yesterday’s game…
🗣️ James Forrest is “one of the fathers of the great success this club has had”.
Brendan Rodgers praises James Forrest after his two goals helped Celtic beat Dundee 2-1.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/TxvvKCi82D
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) April 28, 2024
