ANGE POSTECOGLOU hailed James Forrest after the winger had notched up his 100th goal for Celtic in the 6-1 triumph over Hibs at Parkhead.
However, there is NO guarantee the latest Hoops Centurian will be in at the start when the holders take on Motherwell in the Premier Sports League Cup encounter at Fir Park on Wednesday with the early kick-off time of 6.15pm.
Sead Haksabanovic, who shredded the Edinburgh side’s rearguard in a pulverising 45-minute performance, was kept in at the interval with the manager taking no risks with the Montenegro international winger.
Giorgos Giakoumakis also limped off shortly after scoring his second and the team’s fifth against former club favourite David Marshall.
NUMBER ONE…James Forrest slots the opener past David Marshall.
NUMBER TWO…Giorgos Giakoumakis thumps a close-range effort into the Hibs net.
NUMBER THREE…James Forrest watches on the 18-yard line as David Marshall mishandles his shot on target.
NUMBER FOUR…James Forrest claims his 100th goal for Celtic with a rasping drive.
NUMBER FIVE…David Marshall is stranded as Giorgos Giakoumakis claims his double.
NUMBER SIX…Daizen Maeda is flat out as he turns the ball wide of the helpless David Marshall.
Postecoglou will check his resources before the match against Well and said: “I think, from what I know about today so far, everybody will be okay for Wednesday.
“We took Sead off because he had a bit of an ankle issue going into the game, but he was really keen to play. Once the game was sort of done, we could take him off at 45 minutes.
“I think everybody else was good and, hopefully, maybe David Turnbull will be close as well.”
The Greek-Australian gaffer continued: “I thought the lads were great right from the first minute. They were really focused on playing the kind of football we want to play.
“That’s why we have this squad. I know people question me rotating the team, but it’s the only way we’ll get through this period and maintain this level of performance because we rely on too few, that doesn’t work.
“I see these guys every day, I know what they’re ready for and what they can do, so there’s no fear in my putting them in there and I’m super pleased that all the guys who came in were fantastic.”
JOY BHOYS…James Forrest is welcomed to the 100 Club by team-mates Matt O’Riley and Giorgos Giakoumakis.
Looking at the sprightly 31-year-old forward who sizzled in a hat-trick to reach his landmark strike and join the Ton-Up Bhoys, Postecoglou, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “I’m super pleased.
“Obviously, a special shout-out to James Forrest who has now scored 100 goals for this football club and it’s an outstanding achievement.”
Coincidentally, the one-club man scored his first goal for the Hoops back on May 2010 against Wednesday’s opponents.
That may be viewed as a lucky omen, but Forrest knows he is still not certain of taking part in the quarter-final tie in Lanarkshire.
TON-UP BHOY FORREST AND THE JOY OF SIX
