Brendan Rodgers made a brilliant nod to Celtic winger James Forrest after the Hoops’ dominant 3-0 victory over city rivals Rangers on Sunday afternoon.
It was a professional performance from the Bhoys, who blew away their Glasgow derby competitors yet again thanks to goals from Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Callum McGregor.
They took a good 10 minutes to grow into the game but when they eventually did, the Celts grabbed the bull by the horns and created multiple opportunities.
Captain McGregor reckons they should have scored four or five, with midfield duo Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo each going close from inside the box.
The pair were eventually replaced by deadline-day signings Luke McCowan and Arne Engels as Brendan Rodgers utilised his full squad.
The boss also introduced Forrest in the closing stages, the veteran winger coming on for his 500th Celtic appearance.
Such a milestone has to be admired, and Rodgers classily addressed it in his post-match debrief in the dressing room.
“It’s a great milestone”, said Forrest (Glasgow Times).
“To be honest I only knew in the last couple of games I was close to 500. But I had a spell late January and February when I wasn’t in squads and I didn’t know if I was ever going to play for Celtic again.
“But when stuff like that happens it makes it even better when you do get achievements.
“In the changing room he (Brendan Rodgers) spoke really well.
“He obviously spoke about the game first and foremost and how well the boys did defensively and attack-wise. And then he mentioned it at the end, he just said it was a great achievement.”
Having now reached half a millennium of appearances for Celtic, Forrest will want to kick on and register even more.
There are no doubts that he will remain a one-club man for the remainder of his career, which has to be admired.
Now 33, the attacker has had many opportunities to leave Celtic, but Forrest has shown loyalty which is rare in football nowadays, and stayed put with his boyhood club.
