James Forrest was benched for Celtic last time out, but John Hartson wants him back on Sunday.
John Hartson has told The Glasgow Evening Times that Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers should drop Patrick Roberts for James Forrest in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Rangers.
Rodgers started Roberts ahead of the 26-year-old on the right-hand side in last weekend’s 2-1 win at Hamilton.
But Forrest has arguably been Celtic’s best player this season, netting 16 goals in all competitions – including one in the Scottish League Cup final win over Motherwell in November, and a hat-trick in the fifth-round Scottish Cup win over Partick in February.
He has proven himself a big-game player for the Hoops, having also found the net in key Champions League qualifiers, and Hartson wants Roberts, who only returned from a four-month layoff last month, to make way for Forrest at Hampden.
He told The Glasgow Evening Times: “I would also be looking to play James Forrest ahead of Patrick Roberts.
“Roberts did well against Hamilton and was a bit of a bright spark, but Forrest is the man who has been consistently in great form this season.”
Victory over Graeme Murty’s side would put Celtic – who have effectively won the Premiership – within 90 minutes of securing a historic double treble, and Rodgers can’t afford to get his team selection wrong.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
