Hoops winger James Forrest believes that this week’s UEFA Champions League point from Manchester City can set the foundations for a strong showing in the Group C from the Parkhead side.
Brendan Rodgers’ side face a double header next against Borussia Moenchengladbach, games that will be key in whether Celtic can sustain their European involvement beyond Christmas.
And given the manner in which Pep Guardiola’s side had been playing prior to facing the Parkhead side on Wednesday night, Forrest believes that there is much for the Hoops to take from the performance.
Read more: Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon: I have not lost my confidence
“I think the fact we came off the pitch thinking that we might have won the game tells you a story,” said Forrest. “We have showed that we are an attacking team and we are scoring from all areas of the pitch.
“That game against City was up there with the best in my career. The fans gave their all and so did we.
“Man City had won ten-in-a-row and we came off feeling a bit gutted that we didn’t win the game. But we won’t get carried away. I think we still have a lot of big games ahead of us and hopefully we can take this confidence into our next games.
Read more: Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon: I have not lost my confidence
“I think we have shown that we belong at this level. Everybody was a bit sore afterwards because we gave it our all but we will all be ready for Saturday at Dens Park, you can be sure of that.
“The next few games are massive for us. We just want to give it everything in all our games and see where that takes us in the group. But we are definitely going into the next game with a lot of confidence because I think we’ve shown what we can do.”
Forrest too was quick to join in the chorus of approval for Moussa Demebele who netted a double against the English side.
The 20-year-old has made a name for himself since joining Celtic this summer, with 12 goals already to his name. And Forrest was fulsome in his praise of Dembele while also enjoying the fact that there are goals throughout the Celtic side at the minute.
“Calm is the right word for him,” said Forrest of Dembele. “He has come in and scored goals. Give him one or two chances and he will score. He is also able to come in and do it on the big nights.
“We also have Griff who is scoring goals all the time and it is great to have that in the team.
“The manager talks about goals all the time and about trying to get them and you can see now that we have that. Going forward we are always looking to score and you can see that with goals coming from so many different areas of the pitch.”
Read more: Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon: I have not lost my confidence
Forrest could have been out the door at Celtic but he is a player who has been reformed under Rodgers.
“I was always wanting to stay here,” he said. “The manager knew that from day one and he just gave me a lot of confidence, not just me but all the boys. Everything has been great. The aim from day one was to try to get ourselves into the Champions League group stages and we have done that.
“Now it is about keeping our focus in the league and at home while also trying to put on a few performances in the Champions League. There is competition for places all over the pitch and I think everyone is just desperate to play.”
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