The addition of James Forrest to Celtic's starting line-up at Pittodrie last weekend gave Ronny Deila's side a directness they have conspicuously lacked this season.

In a campaign that has never quite got started due to injury, Forrest's inclusion amounted to only his fourth appearance of the campaign.

While his performance was sufficient to gain pass marks, there is much more to come from the winger once he has recovered the sharpness that comes only from playing regularly.

But it would have given Deila food for thought. While prone to cutting inside more than necessary, Forrest's display against Andrew Considine afforded a reminder of what his pace and energy can bring when he is on his game.

At 23, Forrest's time as a rising star has gone. Recent seasons in which he has struggled with consistency due to injury but still clocked up the first-team appearances - 27 last term, 31 the year before - have established him in the senior side but this year was always going to be about consolidating that influence.

Sunday hinted at the potential he has to offer Deila's side but staying fit will be key to realising that.

Former Hoops boss Martin O'Neill - who will be in the visiting dug-out at Celtic Park tomorrow night - once said in defence of Didier Agathe that there was a certain bravery required to play on the flank for Celtic given the close proximity to the crowd and the pressure that can bring.

Joe Miller, part of Celtic's Centenary double-wining side, concurs. He said: "Your job as a winger is to try and change the game, to take responsibility on the ball, to make things happen. It can get frustrating sometimes if things don't come off and there is a perception among supporters that you are inconsistent.

"You need to keep striving to get better, to take it to the next level.

"I'm sure Ronny Deila and John Collins will have a few things to work on the training ground with James because I do think there are one or two things he could improve on. He has made a name for himself by coming into the team in recent years but there is still a fair bit of hard work ahead.

"He can be more direct, he can be more positive in getting balls into the box but his return to the team definitely gave a bit more balance.

"At one stage there were three or four left-footed players all across the midfield so having James back in has given them an extra dimension."

Voted Scottish Football Writers' Young Player of the Year two years ago and established as a full international at just 20, Forrest's impact when he first arrived on the scene was impressive.

But, as many before him have discovered, maintaining that means continually improving and Miller believes the mental attitude to his game will be vital.

Injuries and loss of form can affect the confidence of players, but Miller insists there is only one way around those obstacles - hard work.

"James is still a young man and he can keep getting better," said Miller.

"But when you have had a run of injuries you can feel as though you are playing catch-up.

"The only way round that is to knuckle down and take on board what people are telling you.

"There is always a mental aspect to football. You need to be right in yourself before you can go on to the pitch and produce the kind of form that you need to keep you in the team week in, week out.

"It is an important season for James. He has got himself fit and back into the team and now he needs to take the chance to show what he can give."