FLYING winger James Forrest is ready to Bale out Scotland and set Craig Levein's side back on course for Brazil.

The Celtic starlet recognises the threat which Spurs' Gareth Bale will represent in Friday's qualifier in Cardiff.

While Forrest's form makes him a potent weapon in Levein's armoury, he also appreciates he will have to be ready to do his bet keeping the Welsh at bay.

"It's up to Craig if he wants me to double up on Gareth Bale, but he is Wales' best player and we need to stop him," he said.

"It will be great to play against him because he's a top player, and you want to test yourself against the top players in the game."

Forrest is confident that Scotland have their own quota of top stars, and hopes they can all click to get the win required to kick-start their World Cup 2014 campaign.

He said: "With only three games gone, you can't rule anyone out, but it would give us a massive boost if we get the three points.

"We're not really bothered about Wales. We are just concentrating on Scotland and trying to get as many points as we can."

Forrest knows all about Scotland's poor record in Wales in recent years – club mates Joe Ledley and Adam Matthews make sure of that – but he remains buoyant.

"Those results are in the past and we are a different team now," he said. "That gives us confidence. They will be looking at our players and thinking they will have to stop us.

"We are delighted Steven Fletcher is back in the squad. Week-in and week-out he's one of the best strikers in the Barclays Premier League.

"With Scott Brown and Darren Fletcher also returning, we've got three big players back now who missed the first couple of games. That's a massive boost going into the next two games.

"I'm looking forward to playing against Joe and Adam. It will be strange at first but, once you get into it, it will be just another game."