Celtic winger James Forrest determined to make amends against Hearts after missing Leipzig defeat

HAVING been powerless to save Celtic from their defeat in Leipzig, James Forrest is determined to make amends against Hearts this afternoon.

The Hoops winger missed Thursday night’s Europa League tie through suspension as a result of his red card against Leipzig’s Red Bull stablemates, Salzburg, in the previous round of fixtures.

And that led to him having to endure a different kind of frustrating evening to that his of his team-mates in front of his TV back home.

“I said to a few of them that it wasn’t a good experience,” he said.

“It is strange, a weird feeling really. You don’t feel right because you want to be there, especially given how the game went.

“For the first half-hour, I thought the boys worked really well and couldn’t really see where a (Leipzig) goal was going to come from.

“Then within five minutes, they score two and it’s just one of those ones. It’s hard to take.

“But the boys kept going, and I think the ones that played – and the ones that didn’t – will take confidence and hopefully it will be a different game once they come to Celtic Park.

“The good news for now is we have a huge game against Hearts coming up so quickly. I am really eager to get back playing.”

The first of the Betfred Cup semi-finals will pit Forrest against his Scotland team-mate Steven Naismith, a player he likens to Hoops skipper Scott Brown for his leadership attributes.

“I have been in Scotland squads with Steven before,” he said.

“When he got recalled for the Belgium and Albania matches, he came in for his first day in training and just made such an impression.

“You wouldn’t normally expect that for someone just called in. He has obviously made an impression on the coaching staff and the players as well.

“When he came in, he was shouting at boys, showing real commitment. He really put his own stamp on things and has gone on to do really well in the last few games for Scotland.

“I think our manager has got it spot on when he says Steven has been a catalyst for a lot of the stuff that has gone right at Hearts.

“He has probably lifted a lot of the young boys and the Hearts players because he has won stuff and played in big games before.

“You see the same thing with Broony here.

“Everyone knows him on the park, but off it, he is unbelievable and really keeps things together.

“These players are invaluable to your team and you really need them in your squad.”