‘BELFAST WOULDN’T INTIMIDATE US,’ INSISTS FORREST

JAMES FORREST is convinced the Celtic players will not be intimidated by a hostile atmosphere if they have to play Linfield in Belfast.

Friday, July 15 has been pencilled in as a potential Champions League qualifier at Windsor Park – if the Irish side, 1-0 ahead from the first leg, overcome San Marino.

Forrest said: “If it is Linfield,  it could be an interesting atmosphere, but it won’t worry the boys.

“Last season, when we played well at Rangers (sic), we had games in the Champions League and had to go to somewhere like Hapoel Beer Sheva.

“A lot of the boys are involved in international games, as well. Obviously, it could be a hostile atmosphere if we go to Belfast, but the boys know they have enough in the locker to take care of it.

“Would it be weird not having our fans there? Yeah, especially as the fans are so important to us.

“You see it even in away games in the league. There are times when there are more Celtic fans in the ground than home fans.

“It would be something different, but there is enough character in the squad to cope.

“We’ve played in some different atmospheres before, like Karagandy and Beer Sheeva.

“There was talk about sacrificing a goat before the game in Karagandy. It was unlike anything I’d experienced.

“There was a lot of noise and every time they crossed the halfway line they cheered like they’d scored a goal.

“It was constant for 90 minutes. I’d never seen anything like it, but it means you are ready for anything.

“You could say Belfast would be a good tie for us when you think travel-wise and recovery. It’s not 40 degrees or on a plastic pitch.

“If you get through those are the kind of things you might need to face, but, hopefully, we can have our wits about us and get through.”

The new CQN Podcast will be available tomorrow evening and features CQN’s exclusive interview with the President of the SFA, there’s some great music and plenty of great Celtic chat too.