Simon Donnelly reckons Ange Postecoglou is spoiled for choice when it comes to wide men but no one should write off the man who’s been there longer than any of them. Jota and Liel Abada have been Celtic’s wing kings in the last 12 months with Daizen Maeda making a big impression and new signing Sead Haksabanovic coming in towards the end of the transfer window.
All four were involved at various stages in Sunday’s shock defeat at St Mirren but Donnelly reckons there can still be a role for serial winner James Forrest. The attacker might be 31 these days but he still looks like the fresh-faced youngster who burst into the side 12 years ago before going on to hoover up an incredible 20 winners’ medals over his glittering time at Parkhead.
Forrest has struggled with injury issues over the last 18 months but he’s back to fitness and banging on the door again – with boss Ange Postecoglou recently rewarding the wide man with a new three year deal. Former Hoops attacker Donnelly knows his old side have a raft of talented wingers but he’s convinced there’s life left in the Celtic stalwart.
He said: “James still has a part to play. He has his work cut out trying to get in the team with the guys around him. He is no spring chicken anymore. But, he has still shown he has the quality. He wouldn’t be here otherwise. If I am a young boy then I would be picking the brains of James and (first team coach) Harry Kewell.
“It is an invaluable experience watching how these guys go about their business and training with them. When I was coming through it was great to be around guys like Paul McStay and John Collins. I’m sure the young boys will be doing exactly the same with James. James has shown time and time again he is a big time player and he will feature at different times.”
Forrest has a fight on his hands to get into the starting XI but Donnelly reckons it’s the same for most players in the squad as Postecoglou has seriously tooled up for this term. Sunday’s Saints slip up was a surprise, but no one needs to be hitting any panic buttons at Parkhead given the defeat was the first in 364 days in the Premiership.
The competition is driving the long term consistency and Donnelly said: “You only have to look at Greg Taylor. They bought a left back in but he has moved his levels up so far this season. That is on the back of someone breathing down his neck ready to take his jersey. Going back to my time here, if you had a good season there would be two new guys coming in wanting your place. Ange is wanting to get that and he has more or less got two players for every position. That is the nature of the beast here. You need to be at a high level and that is a good environment to have.”
Donnelly believes Forrest will have a role but he’s been blown away by the displays of Jota and Abada this season. He said: “I was impressed with Jota last season and he has looked the part this season. Wide players sometimes have the tricks and flicks but not the end product. He does. You just have to look at his assists and his goals.
“He is kicking on and I can only see Celtic getting better. Abada has just turned 20 and Jota is in his early 20s. Matt O’Riley is another young one and Ange is building a good team. They are exciting to watch. I have covered most games since Ange came in and they are progressing all the time. The manager has recruited well again and we will see more of Haksabanovic in the next few weeks.
“We are seeing lots of goals from all over the park and I see the confidence and belief in the players. A lot of them are young, guys like Abada and Jota, but they have grown. They had an experience of Europe last year and results wise it wasn’t the best. But, it will stand them in good stead for this season.”
Celtic might be in cold storage during the International break but Postecoglou is still hitting the news. Hoops fans breathed a sigh of relief when Brighton’s hot seat was filled but no sooner had the Seagulls swooped for Roberto de Zerbi, another bout of speculation popped up, with chat Down Under about Leicester City taking a peep towards Parkhead again with boss Brendan Rodgers under severe pressure.
Postecoglou has constantly shrugged off the departure talk and Donnelly is convinced Celtic fans don’t need to freak out just yet. He said: “I don’t think Celtic fans should be worried. Ange has said himself that last season was just part one of a project. It was a very good part one and all Celtic fans are excited about where he can take this club.
“He is happy here. There will always be speculation here if you are doing well but I don’t think he wants to leave. He is fully focussed on the project here. The fans love him, they totally believe in him and are enjoying what they are seeing on the pitch.
Simon Donnelly was speaking at the launch of Wim Jansen’s book MASTERMIND. Wim was Celtic manager in season 1997/98 and won the League title to stop Rangers from winning 10-in-a-row. Wim passed away in January of this year.
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