DOUBLE BOOST FOR CELTIC STAR

COMEBACK Bhoy James Forrest could be given a double boost in his fight to win a place in Scotland’s Euro Finals squad.

The 29-year-old winger celebrated his first start for Celtic since September with the opening goal in the 3-0 Scottish Cup win over Falkirk at the weekend.

Forrest, who has won 35 international caps, admitted afterwards he had been dreaming of playing fos his nation in the competition, as CQN reported.

The Scots are due to play the Czech Republic at Hampden on June 14, England at Wembley four days later and Croatia in Glasgow on the twenty-second.

The Hoops ace looked set to miss out on the country’s first appearance in the finals of a major tournament since the World Cup in France in 1998. Forrest, who faced an surgery following an injury in the European tie against Riga on September 24, appeared to be running out of games to impress Scotland manager Steve Clarke.

However, the SFA have just announced the team will play Netherlands and Luxembourg as part of their preparations for the competition.

GREEN FOR GO…James Forrest is hoping to star for Celtic and attract the attention of Steve Clarke.

Boss Clarke’s side will face the Dutch in the Estadio Algarve, near Faro, on June 2 and then Luxembourg away four days later.

A Scottish Football Association statement said: “Further details of Scotland’s preparations will be communicated in due course and in consultation with the Scottish Government with regard to elite athletes’ training camp guidelines.”

Clarke added: “Luxembourg and Netherlands offer us two very different challengers, both valuable to us ahead of our Group D fixtures.

“The matches provide an opportunity to build on the progress that got us to the finals and fine-tune before what we all want to be a memorable return to a major tournament.”

Celtic’s trio of Greg Taylor, Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie are also likely to be involved in the warm-up encounters.