Could it have been anyone else?
No surprises for who picks up the accolade for The Celtic Way’s Star Man award, as last week’s winner made it two games on the bounce on becoming TCW’s MVP of the match.
Of course, that man is James Forrest, who scored both goals in a 2-1 win for Celtic away from home yesterday at Dens Park in Dundee. Make that three goals in his last two appearances, as the 32-year-old has flicked the on switch concerning his form at the best possible time for the club and his manager Brendan Rodgers. A man on a mission in the City of Discovery, the left winger picked up a brace against Tony Docherty’s battling Dundee side, who ran the champions close in the closing stages of the match.
His first goal was simply sublime. After a fortuitous touch from Kyogo Furuhashi found its way to Forrest, the winger took matters into his own hands and thundered home a sensational volley from distance. Forcing the issue is an overused cliché in modern football, but Forrest did just that as Celtic took the lead just after the half-hour mark. Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken had made a couple of decent saves to keep the visitors out in the first third of the game but was rooted to the spot as the Celtic great took the initiative and struck the football into the back of his net. Stop all the votes for April’s ‘Goal of the Month’, as the league has found the winner of that competition with Forrest’s bit of brilliance.
Forrest would double Celtic’s advantage in the 67th minute, capitalising on some slack defending by the home side’s defence before slotting past McCracken once again, this time through the keeper’s legs. A different finish, but one that found the same location as the first, which will delight his manager all the same. Make that four goals and one assist as his total thus far this campaign as his strike tally has quadrupled in just eight days. A man clearly in form, his fellow wide-men could learn a thing or two from the veteran, who is turning back the years at present in this Celtic side.
READ MORE: Detailed Player Ratings: Forrest fires Celtic to a crucial win at Dens Park
With players such as Luis Palma, Nicolas Kuhn and Yang Hyun-jun all flattering to deceive at the minute, Forrest has taken his chance and is now suddenly Celtic’s main threat in the wide areas, a sentence many thought they would never utter again. A winger’s masterclass yesterday afternoon, those on the bench could – and should – look to Forrest for inspiration on how to control and use the ball effectively, as well as how to find the back of the net!
He's had his critics, but few would argue that Forrest is one of the first names on the teamsheet for Celtic’s remaining five games in their domestic season. The fact that he is in the conversation is a testament to the hard work and dedication he is no doubt showing in training, as he has had to be patient for his opportunity in this side. You’ve got to say that it is one that he is taking with both hands (and feet).
Time will tell concerning just how important these three points will be at the end of the season in a few weeks’ time, but Forrest’s importance to this team at present cannot be understated. Here’s hoping he can keep it up and add another couple of trophies to his already glittering silverware collection.
24 domestic honours has a very nice ring to it, it must be said. In just four games, that may well be a reality for Celtic’s ‘Homegrown Hero’.
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