BAIN HAILS ‘UNBELIEVABLE’ FORSTER

SCOTT BAIN has praised the performance of unbeatable Fraser Forster as Celtic won the Betfred League Cup at Hampden in December.

The on-loan keeper put in a Man-of-the-Match performance as he shut out Steven Gerrard’s side – including a superb penalty-kick save from Alfredo Morelos – as the Hoops picked up their TENTH successive domestic honour.

Forster, whose future is up in the air with his temporary contract from Southampton due to expire next month, performed heroics on an afternoon where the Hoops were required to show true grit and courage to lift the silverware.

It fell to centre-back Christopher Jullien to score the game’s only goal on the hour mark when he knocked in an inswinging left-wing free-kick from Ryan Christie.

Three minutes later, Jeremie Frimpong was red-carded by referee Willie Collum for a supposed wayward challenge on Morelos.

It looked harsh with the match official also awarding a spot-kick, but justice was done when Forster dived to his right to beat away the Colombian’s effort.

From that moment on – with the game also going into six minutes of stoppage time – the trophy was heading back to Parkhead.

Bain, who sat out the game with Craig Gordon on the substitutes’ bench, told the Celtic View Podcast: “As a goalkeeper, you appreciate that performance massively.

“I watched from the stands and I was thinking: ‘This is an unbelievable performance’. It was one of the best you’re going to see on such a big stage.

“We were thankful to have him, to get away with the win and to lift the Cup. Fraser was fantastic that day. Once Rangers got the penalty – and once Fraser saved it – you thought, that’s it, it’s game over, they’re not going to get past him today.

“Since then, he’s been phenomenal.”

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT…

CQN would like to thank our readers for their patience in the interruption to the launch of Alex Gordon’s latest Celtic book, ‘Fifty Flags’, which was due to be published in March.

Unfortunately, production of the tome, which thoroughly examines the half-century of seasons in which the Parkhead men were crowned Scotland champions, came to an unfortunate halt due to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

The support for ‘Fifty Flags’ has been overwhelming and author Alex said: “The response to the book has been utterly astonishing and I can only say how totally grateful I am to CQN readers for their backing. I can only hope it will be worth the wait.

“We are depending on the printers letting us know when the run will commence and we are in their hands at the moment. It will be published this year and CQN will keep the readers up to date. Thanks for your patience, folks. It’s much appreciated. 

“Main thing, though, in these testing times is to take care and stay safe. See you all when we get the green light.”