Mark Wotte has told The Sun that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy phoned him back in 2011 to ask his opinion of Celtic winger James Forrest – and Wotte, who was Scotland’s performance director, said he would be “worth buying”.
Forrest, 31, has become a Celtic icon over the last 10 years. Remaining a one-club man, he has now clocked up an enormous 451 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops – scoring 101 goals, laying on an enormous 99 assists.
With 21 titles to his name, including 10 Scottish Premiership wins, Forrest is a modern-day Celtic legend. But it could have been very different, with Tottenham looking to sign a young Forrest – when he was breaking through at Celtic.
Wotte said he was phoned by Tottenham chairman Levy while working for the Scottish FA. The current Syria Under-23 manager says how he told Levy that Forrest would be worth pursuing – but a move obviously, never materialised.
“I also have to admit that I had a conversation with Daniel Levy at the time. Spurs were watching James and he asked me for my opinion of him. I was clear to Daniel, that James was a brilliant young talent and was worth trying to buy.
“I don’t know what happened. If Spurs made a bid that wasn’t enough. Or if Celtic just made it clear to them James wasn’t for sale. All I can say now is that I’m delighted with how things have worked out for him over the last ten years.”
Tottenham chairman Levy phoned Wotte about Celtic winger Forrest
It might have been a wonderful move. At the time, Forrest was deemed a wonderkid. A player with enormous potential and he has proven just that while at Celtic. Who knows how he would have got on in the Premier League.
But one thing is for sure, he has been incredible for Celtic. It looks more than likely that he will stay at Celtic until the end of his career. After a tricky 12 months with injury, he reminded all of his ability, with a hat-trick on Saturday.
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