Celtic duo James Forrest and Scott Sinclair have been hailed by pundit Pat Nevin.
Pundit Pat Nevin
BBC pundit Pat Nevin has told the Daily Mail that he thinks James Forrest and Scott Sinclair could have huge roles for Celtic against Rangers this weekend.
The Old Firm derby returns to the top flight this weekend, with Celtic and Rangers locking horns in a league game for the first time since 2012.
Mark Warburton has already experienced the game having led Rangers to a win in the Scottish Cup semi-finals last season, but it will be Brendan Rodgers’ first taste of the game as Celtic manager having taken the job over the summer.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Already, Rodgers has made a huge impact at Celtic Park, with the Bhoys playing a fast-paced brand of attacking football so far, with two players particularly impressing so far.
Winger James Forrest struggled to make an impact under Ronny Deila last season, and having rejected a new contract towards the end of last season, it seemed that the Scotland international would be leaving Glasgow.
However, Forrest is revitalised under Rodgers, and has no only been playing some of his best football in recent times, but has also penned a new deal to stay with the club and hopefully continue his progress under Rodgers.
Celtic’s James Forrest
Another player to star in the Celtic attack is Scott Sinclair, who was Rodgers’ main signing of the summer transfer window having completed a move from Aston Villa.
The former Manchester City man was a key player for Rodgers at Swansea and has already shown his quality having scored four goals in just six games so far for the Bhoys.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash, BBC pundit and former Scotland international Pat Nevin has told the Daily Mail that he thinks Forrest has a ‘really good football brain’ and is really excited by him, whilst tipping both him and Sinclair to have major impacts against Rangers on Saturday.
Celtic’s Scott Sinclair in action with Hapoel Be’er-Sheva’s Ben Bitton
“I’m particularly excited by James Forrest just now. Apart from the skill, I think he’s got a really good football brain,” said Nevin. “There is a great feeling in football when, if you know your manager rates you and values what you can do, you don’t panic every time you get the ball and think: “Oh my God, I need to beat three players and create something, score a goal – or I’m stuffed.”
“When you know your manager understands what you’re trying to do – and will give you opportunities because he knows that, eventually, they’ll pay off – that lifts any pressure. That is clearly the effect Brendan is having on James. It will still be hard for him to stay in the Celtic team every week because they have options – and Brendan can adapt his style and system for different games.”
“Scott Sinclair is not a classic touchline-hugging winger but that’s not a bad thing. He’s very direct, loads of pace – and he scores goals. That makes him a very dangerous player against any opposition,” he added.
Do you think Forrest and Sinclair will be key against Rangers?
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