‘Brilliant’ – Rodgers names the best Celtic player in his first pre-season
By Richard Parks
Brendan Rodgers has revealed that James Forrest was the outstanding Celtic player during his first pre-season as manager.
The Hoops boss was full of praise for the Scotland winger after his brace against Ross County at the weekend.
Forrest, 26, has netted five times so far this season, including two important goals in Champions League qualifying.
But Rodgers says he knew the winger was going to be a success as soon as he walked in the door at Parkhead in the summer of 2016.
“He was one of the most impressive players when I first came in,” the northern Irishman told the Celtic website.
“And in my first pre-season here he was arguably my best player. I’ve always known him to be absolutely outstanding.
“He’s a player I love working with. He’s got a lot of talent and because he comes in and plays the games without any fuss I don’t think he always get the credit that he deserves.
“He’s a great player for our squad and when he plays he contributes.”
Rodgers believes that Forrest’ recent run of form is down to a training regime designed specifically for the player, who has emerged from the club’s academy to make 248 appearances, which have yielded 43 goals and 41 assists.
Rodgers told the Celtic website: “I think the key for James has been to have an individual training programme that allows him to train how you want him to play and he’s been able to take that consistency on the training field into the games.
“His job is very simple. When he has the ball he has to create and score goals and he’s done that consistently.
“James is a joy to work with. He’s been absolutely brilliant for us.”
Rodgers and Forrest have a busy few days ahead with a league cup quarter-final against Dundee on Wednesday before taking on Rangers in the first Old Firm of the season on Saturday.
In other Celtic news, Rangers have suffered a quadruple blow ahead of Saturday’s Old Firm showdown.
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