Forrest, effectiveness and squad management

An unused Daizen Maeda returning to Glasgow will be a welcome sight for Ange Postecoglou, who has seen wingers Liel Abada and Sead Haksabanovic pick up knocks since leaving for the international break.

Given the precarious nature of fitness in our wide player with the crucial part of the season ahead, Sunday’s trip to Dingwall is an opportunity to give James Forrest a rare outing.  James has started only five games this season, his last at Ibrox on 2 January, when Ange preferred him to Jota, who was returning from injury, and Abada for tactical reasons.  It’s fair to say the experiment didn’t work as Celtic struggled until Jota and Liel were subbed on.  Parachuting the player into such a huge game, with only one start in the previous two months, was a challenge too far.

Although James seems to have been around forever, his is still only 31 and last year was given an extended contract that will see him remain at the club for another two full seasons.  If he is to contribute anything from his acres of experience in the domestic and European game, he will need to see more regular game time, else sharpness will drift towards ineffectiveness.

Dingwall on Sunday looks like a perfect opportunity for James to tick a few boxes.