Celtic maintained their Scottish Premiership title aspirations with a narrow victory over Dundee on Tayside yesterday. Brendan Rodgers’ team faced significant pressure from Tony Docherty’s side, with both teams having an equal number of shots on target.
Despite Dundee creating more ‘big chances,’ Celtic showed resilience to secure the win and prevent any late comeback from their opponents.
On a day when quality ultimately told, James Forrest showed why he is still regarded by his boss as the most talented winger at Lennoxtown. He produced two decisive moments in a match otherwise bereft of ingenuity.
After the match, Rodgers praised the experienced winger for his significant contributions to the club, emphasizing his impact on and off the pitch: “Two great finishes. I said to the players afterward that he has been one of the pillars of the immense success that this club has enjoyed over the last decade.”
While some aspects of our performance in Dundee may have raised concerns among supporters, championship-winning teams find ways to secure victories, regardless of how the match appears.
Looking ahead, Celtic will face Heart of Midlothian at Parkhead this Saturday, where a win would widen the gap at the top to six points ahead of Rangers’ match against Kilmarnock the following day.
Rodgers has also highlighted James Forrest’s exemplary behavior in Celtic’s training sessions, underscoring the professionalism and dedication within the club despite limited insights into the inner workings of Lennoxtown for fans.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound yesterday pre-match, Rodgers moved to shed light on eventual match-winner Forrest’s influential role in everyday training.
Citing his high level of quality in training, the former Liverpool manager indicated that the 32-year-old acts as an ‘inspiration’ for the rest of his group due to exuding exceptional professionalism and consistency.
Rodgers explained: “I think just his experience and the quality that he has. You know, there’s a lot made about James not playing so much this year, but he’s actually, I think today, he’ll have played the same as what he did last season. And I’m not sure whether that was enough or not.
James Forrest’s influence at Celtic extends beyond his on-field performances; his experience, professionalism, and success make him a role model for both seasoned and new players.
With 22 major honors accumulated during his 15 seasons at Parkhead, Forrest stands as one of Celtic’s enduring figures in their dominance of Scottish football.
Should he contribute significantly to potential trophy wins in the 2023/24 season, Forrest could surpass iconic figures like Scott Brown and Billy McNeill in terms of club honors, approaching the record set by Bobby Lennox with 25 trophies.
This would be a remarkable accomplishment, solidifying his legacy as one of Celtic’s standard-bearers and a key contributor to their ongoing success.