JAMES FORREST fired blanks again as Celtic went on a five-goal rampage to pulverise Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
The evergreen winger now has just two games to claim his first strike of the season to maintain a scoring sequence that kicked off with a debut goal against Motherwell in May 2010.
Forrest has fired in over 100 goals since that first appearance in Paradise and is running out of matches to rectify the situation.
BLANK LOOKS…James Forrest fires wide with the Aberdeen double-act of Leighton Clarkson and Graeme Shinnie too late to intervene.
The curtain comes down on another successful Premiership campaign for the champions against St Mirren on Flag Day at Parkhead on Saturday and then the focus switches to the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden the following week when the holders take on last night’s demoralised opponents.
Although Forrest failed to join Maik Nawrocki, Yang Hyun-jun, Luke McCowan, Johnny Kenny and Adam Idah on the scoresheet in the runaway 5-1 triumph, he was still applauded by beaming Brendan Rodgers after a scintillating display in which he set up two goals.
The Hoops boss said: “Even if the goal doesn’t come, his performance level has been instrumental in my second time back here.
“This time last season he was catalyst, along with Adam Idah, for us winning the title and he’s still got a big contribution for this squad.
“He leads by example, all the players really respect him and look up to him, especially when he performs like he did on this occasion.”
THAT’S MY BHOY…James Forrest congratulates Johnny Kenny on his first Celtic goal – the fourth in the champions’ 5-1 success at Pittodrie.
Forrest even took a bow in front of the travelling support as they acclaimed the 33-year-old winger’s qualities in an impressive Cup Final dress rehearsal.
Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “Collectively, we were so good in the game, there were so many good attacking connections and moments.
“We scored five, got into so many good areas and to come here and be that convincing, it was an outstanding performance.
“It was a great header for the opening goal and Maik Nawrocki is a threat in the box. We see it every day in his training and I thought he and Auston Trusty were very good and they defended strong.
“And we’re also pleased for Johnny Kenny because he works so hard, he is a natural goalscorer and when you see his movement for the goal, it’s so good and everyone was delighted for him.
“But, overall, we had so many good phases of play in the game, we worked ever so hard, we were able to get players minutes in their legs and the whole connection of the team was outstanding.”
JIG OF JOY…James Forrest takes a bow in front of the Celtic fans with an appreciative boss Brendan Rodgers in the background.
Rodgers couldn’t leave without a word of praise for the fans and the Irishman added: “A big thank-you to the supporters.
“To come all the way up here for an eight o’clock kick-off and they’ll get back in the early hours of the morning, some will travel even longer to various places and they deserve praise.
“They’ve sacrificed as much as we have as a team and they got their reward with a brilliant performance and result.
“Hopefully, we can all celebrate again with a win, on Saturday and then pick up the trophy.”
