‘CALLUM COULD BE INSTANT HIT,’ FORREST

JAMES FORREST believes Celtic team-mate Callum McGregor could be an instant hit in tomorrow night’s World Cup crunch against Slovakia at Hampden.

The in-form midfielder has eventually been called into Gordon Strachan’s international plans following the enforced call-offs from Hoops pals Scotty Brown and Stuart Armstrong.

And Forrest is confident McGregor has what it takes to make an impact in this arena – if he gets the opportunity.

The winger said: “Callum has been excellent for us. He had a great season last time and he has started off really well again.

“It is a credit to him and he has worked hard to get into the Scotland squad. I train with him every day and we play together week in, week out, so I know what he can do.

“He is level-headed, as well, so if he does get the chance to play tomorrow night he will just go about it the same way he always does.”

Forrest added: “You see him finish with both feet in training and he can certainly take a goal.

“He likes to arrive in the box late and you saw at the weekend there that his two finishes against Hibs were excellent. All the top managers say that at international level you have to be able to keep the ball and Callum can do that, too.

“He has just kept working hard and hasn’t spat out the dummy or anything like that. He is in the squad now and if he gets the chance to play, then I’m sure he will do well.”

NEW CQN PODCAST FROM CELTIC PARK ON SATURDAY

Kevin Graham is back with a new CQN Podcast from Saturday. He talks to supporters on the bus on the way to Parkhead, interviews John Paul Taylor outside the ground and captures the atmosphere and action inside the ground before getting some more supporters’ views on the bus home after an eventful afternoon at Celtic Park.

Apologies for a few sweary words in this podcast near the end.