Leigh Griffiths insists James Forrest will remain Celtic’s wing king regardless of whether Jota commits his future to the club. The former Hoops striker believes his old team-mate is still the best service provider at Parkhead and can steal the thunder from the Portuguese star.
Jota has yet to sign a permanent deal from Benfica after stealing the hearts of Hoops fans last season. Forrest overcame an injury-plagued campaign to make a late impact for Ange Postecoglou ’s side and Griffiths rates him as the best he has played with.
He said: “I don’t think the Celtic fans should be panicking over the delay in Jota signing on for next season. James is the main man at the club in the wide areas. Jota had a brilliant season and the fans love him – but James has done it season after season and can be the key player again in the coming campaign.
“Everyone knows he’s had his injuries but I don’t think there’s a player who works as hard behind the scenes as Jamesie. He needs to stay injury free but when you see him in training and in full flow he’s incredible. I’m sure boys like Scott Brown and Callum McGregor would back me up when we are asked who is the best player at Celtic?
“Most of his team-mates will say it’s James Forrest. He does things in training that make you stand back and go, ‘Wow.’ I know James well and he’ll be wanting to shut a few people up as he’s been knocked time after time and just come roaring back.
“Ask any Celtic player who wows them in training and James will always be on the tip of their tongue.”
Griffiths also believes Forrest doesn’t get the true credit for his football intelligence and he points to the 30-year-old’s enduring relationship with Celtic under a host of managers as proof positive of how highly the wide man is regarded by managers.
He said: “Look at his goal against Livingston last season. It was crucial and it said everything about how intelligent a footballer he is. He has so much skill and can score goals with both feet.
“He’s close to the 100 goal mark for Celtic and that would be a massive landmark for him to get through. He’s also the most decorated Celtic player there is – you just have to look at that and say it’s an achievement in itself.
“That’s why he has played under so many managers as they all know exactly what he brings to the team. He has done it all his career. I remember playing alongside him for Scotland’s Under-21s over in Holland. James ripped them apart, he was sensational that night and we won 2-1. He has been torturing defenders ever since.”
It’s a sign of the value that Forrest has brought to the Hoops for over a decade that he remains an integral part of Postecoglou’s plans but it’s no surprise to Griff. He said: “You can’t get the ball off of him, it’s as though the ball is glued to his foot. He’s a joy to play with. When I was in the team with him I would leave James the space to go and show what he could do.
“He would burst past players as he’s explosive from a standing start and he has this trick he does with the outside of his
foot – I still don’t know how he does it. I’ve never seen any other player do it, he just gets the ball on the outside of his foot and changes direction, it’s unbelievable.
“He often cuts inside and bends in a shot with the outside of his foot and sometimes you just need to stand back and admire it. I’ve played in games against him and thought, ‘What is the point of trying to get close to tackle him ? He’ll just tie you in knots.’
“I benefited from playing with him as he would play a killer ball or cross time after time and I’ve no doubt he played a huge part in my goal ratio at Celtic over the years. If you made the right run then he’d find you so he’s a main provider as well as a huge goal threat.”
Griffiths is still in touch with his old boss and former team-mates and is adamant he’ll always hold Celtic close to his heart. The striker, who was released by the Hoops in January, said: “I still keep in touch with a lot of the boys. I text Ange whenever Celtic have a big game and he always replies so that’s a good sign.
“My relationship with the club is good, I still go and watch them as a fan and I’m very friendly with the kitman so there’s still plenty of contact. I had eight unbelievable years there and it was so important to me not to leave on bad terms.”
