Lennon wants Forrest fit for Juve

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is hoping to have James Forrest back fit and firing for the clash with Juventus.

Last Updated: 06/02/13 at 11:54 Post Comment   

Forrest: Back in action

Forrest: Back in action

Celtic manager Neil Lennon will throw James Forrest right back into action next week against Inverness in the hope of unleashing him against Juventus.

The 21-year-old talent made his first appearance for the Glasgow giants since December in Sunday's Scottish Cup fifth-round win over Raith Rovers.

The winger struck the second goal in the Hoops' 3-0 success at Stark's Park, and impressed his boss so much with his pace, intent and fitness following a hamstring problem that he will now be cast back into the Celtic line-up for this weekend's trip to Inverness in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Lennon now hopes that game will be enough to ready the player for the team's Champions League last-16 meeting with Juventus, after he was sent home from Scotland's Aberdeen training camp ahead of the national team's friendly with Estonia when concerns were raised about the effect of playing on a heavy Pittodrie pitch.

He told the Celtic View: "James is a brilliant player. You can see what he brings to us and he's desperate to play. We just need to drip-feed him in now gently and we have to be careful there's no reaction.

"He's a wonderful talent and one of the best Scottish players we've produced for a long, long time. I think the world of him as a boy but as a footballer there's so much he can offer.

"He's been training great and desperate to get back in but the physios have been holding him back. We've had to listen to them but it was great to get him some game time.

"We have the game up in Inverness next and we expect him to play and have him ready for Juventus.

"It was hugely important to get him some game time on Sunday. He makes us better, he drives everyone on, he excites people and got his goal.

"There are not many people who would score that goal - his turn of pace and quality of the finish was fantastic. To have him back gives us an extra dimension."


Click here for completely free £10 bet with Sky Bet & £5 free every week


Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

P

erfect replacement for Carragher. Slow, average when he was at his best, now well past it. Would just slot straight in! :)

rez plus
Liverpool eye Kolo move - Report

T

rue. Stoke, Sunderland and Swindon also showed no interest in him.

udangapi
Carra puzzled by no interest

H

ang on, why are journalists asking a manager who has never won a major honour for his opinion on a manger who has won two European Cups and league titles in four different countries?

darcy_171
Sam backs 'mature' Mourinho

Footer 365

Moutinho cools Porto exit talk

Joao Moutinho insists he has "no intention" of leaving Porto, after being once again linked with a big-money move to Tottenham this summer.

Edgar Davids agrees to remain as Barnet head coach next season

Barnet head coach Edgar Davids has agreed to remain with the London club for next season.

No decision on Sagna future

Bacary Sagna's agent insists no decision has yet been made over the future of the Arsenal defender, amid talk he could be sold by the Gunners.

Mail Box

Should Chelsea Be Worried About Jose Return?

After a disappointing end to his three years at Real Madrid, could Jose Mourinho struggle to bring immediate success if he completes his anticipated return to Chelsea?

What Would United Be Like In The Pub?

The Premier League season has only been over for about 20 hours and already we're well into the summer-type Mailbox. Plus, a shout for the 2014 player of the year...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved