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Brendan Rodgers hails “exceptional” James Forrest

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers watches from the sidelines during the Champions League second round first leg qualifying game between Linfield and C...
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Celtic annihilated Sunderland 5-0 on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking to Celtic’s official website, Brendan Rodgers has praised the “exceptional” James Forrest after the Hoops smashed Sunderland 5-0 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Two goals from Callum McGregor and another from new signing Jonny Hayes helped Rodgers’s side into a comfortable 3-0 half-time lead over the Championship outfit.

McGregor completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the second half, before Stuart Armstrong added gloss to an emphatic victory for Celtic.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers watches from the sidelines during the Champions League second round first leg qualifying game between Linfield and Celtic at Windsor Park on July 14, 2017 in...

By virtue of the fact that McGregor bagged himself three goals, he will likely get the headlines, but Forrest, playing up front due to the absence of strikers Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele, has had his contribution flagged by the Northern Irishman.

“The players, particularly the young players were outstanding today, and it was a great experience for them today,” he told Celtic’s website.

“I am really pleased with lots of elements of our game. I thought all the players contributed to a really good performance.

“We didn’t have a centre-forward but we have players like James Forrest, who played up front today, and he was exceptional in his link-up play and his ability to receive the ball and get turned and move.”

The Scottish winger played in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Rosenborg and he is expected to start again in the return leg on Tuesday in Norway.

Brendan Rodgers  Celtic Manager looks on during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Third Round,First Leg match between Celtic and Rosenborg at Celtic Park Stadium on July 26, 2017 in...