Matt O’Riley opens up on Celtic star who ‘doesn’t get enough respect’ and what should happen next
MATT O’RILEY reckons James Forrest deserves more respect — and a spot in Scotland’s Euros squad. Celtic winger Forrest had started just three of the 22 games he’d played in before a scoring substitute appearance in the Scottish Cup semi-final a fortnight ago. SNSMatt O’Riley (right) reckons James Forrest doesn’t get enough respect[/caption] SNS GroupThe winger has starred on the domestic and international stage[/caption] Kenny RamsayAnd he’s hit form for Brendan Rodgers team leading to Euro call-up talk[/caption] The 32-year-old has been in Brendan Rodgers’ line-up for the two matches since then — and he scored a double against Dundee. Uefa last week confirmed bosses at this summer’s finals will be able to name 26 players in a squad — three more than usual. That, and injuries to some of Steve Clarke’s regulars, has seen Forrest touted for a late call-up. He has netted five times in 38 caps for his country but hasn’t appeared since the 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic in the last Euros in 2021. Asked about Forrest’s chances of being on the plane to Germany, O’Riley said: “That would be awesome. You can’t say he doesn’t deserve it to some extent. “He’s been so good in the last couple of months. I think they should take him because he’s very good. “You don’t get 100 goals and assists for Celtic if you’re not half decent. He’s proven that over time and I think he deserves a lot more respect than he gets, in my opinion.” Clarke has already lost the likes of Lewis Ferguson and Nathan Patterson while Stuart Armstrong, Aaron Hickey and Billy Gilmour face a race against time to be fit for the finals. Scott McTominay recently insisted he would be OK, despite going off with a knee problem in Manchester United’s draw with Burnley. Rodgers has labelled Forrest as the Godfather of modern-day Celtic after his return to action. He also admitted there were times in the season when he should have played him more but instead picked players who’d arrived more recently. Forrest has taken advantage of his opportunity after the loss of Daizen Maeda, who Rodgers thought was out for the season but returned from the bench on Saturday. And the Hoops boss must now decide whether to start Forrest in Saturday’s pivotal Old Firm clash. The wide man has lifted 23 trophies since making his Celts debut in May 2010 and was crowned Player of the Year by both the players and writers in 2019. ReutersO’Riley wants to see as many Celtic stars head to Germany – including captain Callum McGregor and James Forrest[/caption] Kenny RamsayO’Riley was a PFA award nominee and is hoping to be called up himself[/caption] Forrest’s second goal at Dens was his 108th in 492 appearances. O’Riley said: “It’s pretty mad how much he’s won. He’s just such a really nice guy as well, which is the most important thing.” Callum McGregor, Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor are all likely to be in Clarke’s squad, while midfielder O’Riley is also hoping to be at the finals after winning his first cap for Denmark last November. He took his season tally to 15 goals and 17 assists after teeing up Kyogo Furuhashi then netting from the spot against Hearts on Saturday. O’Riley’s stunning form saw him nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award before losing out to winner Lawrence Shankland. But the 23-year-old has been struck by the way Forrest never allowed his head to go down, even when he was going months without getting the nod from Rodgers. He added: “James is just so down to earth. Even when he wasn’t playing regularly, he was still such a nice guy at the training ground and to be around, never toxic towards anyone. “If anyone deserves to be playing and be playing well it’s him. He’s also just very good at football, which helps us. “At least four from Celtic have a chance to be in Germany, which would be nice.” Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

MATT O’RILEY reckons James Forrest deserves more respect — and a spot in Scotland’s Euros squad.
Celtic winger Forrest had started just three of the 22 games he’d played in before a scoring substitute appearance in the Scottish Cup semi-final a fortnight ago.
The 32-year-old has been in Brendan Rodgers’ line-up for the two matches since then — and he scored a double against Dundee.
Uefa last week confirmed bosses at this summer’s finals will be able to name 26 players in a squad — three more than usual.
That, and injuries to some of Steve Clarke’s regulars, has seen Forrest touted for a late call-up.
He has netted five times in 38 caps for his country but hasn’t appeared since the 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic in the last Euros in 2021.
Asked about Forrest’s chances of being on the plane to Germany, O’Riley said: “That would be awesome. You can’t say he doesn’t deserve it to some extent.
“He’s been so good in the last couple of months. I think they should take him because he’s very good.
“You don’t get 100 goals and assists for Celtic if you’re not half decent. He’s proven that over time and I think he deserves a lot more respect than he gets, in my opinion.”
Clarke has already lost the likes of Lewis Ferguson and Nathan Patterson while Stuart Armstrong, Aaron Hickey and Billy Gilmour face a race against time to be fit for the finals.
Scott McTominay recently insisted he would be OK, despite going off with a knee problem in Manchester United’s draw with Burnley.
Rodgers has labelled Forrest as the Godfather of modern-day Celtic after his return to action.
He also admitted there were times in the season when he should have played him more but instead picked players who’d arrived more recently.
Forrest has taken advantage of his opportunity after the loss of Daizen Maeda, who Rodgers thought was out for the season but returned from the bench on Saturday.
And the Hoops boss must now decide whether to start Forrest in Saturday’s pivotal Old Firm clash.
The wide man has lifted 23 trophies since making his Celts debut in May 2010 and was crowned Player of the Year by both the players and writers in 2019.
Forrest’s second goal at Dens was his 108th in 492 appearances.
O’Riley said: “It’s pretty mad how much he’s won. He’s just such a really nice guy as well, which is the most important thing.”
Callum McGregor, Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor are all likely to be in Clarke’s squad, while midfielder O’Riley is also hoping to be at the finals after winning his first cap for Denmark last November.
He took his season tally to 15 goals and 17 assists after teeing up Kyogo Furuhashi then netting from the spot against Hearts on Saturday.
O’Riley’s stunning form saw him nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award before losing out to winner Lawrence Shankland.
But the 23-year-old has been struck by the way Forrest never allowed his head to go down, even when he was going months without getting the nod from Rodgers.
He added: “James is just so down to earth. Even when he wasn’t playing regularly, he was still such a nice guy at the training ground and to be around, never toxic towards anyone.
“If anyone deserves to be playing and be playing well it’s him. He’s also just very good at football, which helps us.
“At least four from Celtic have a chance to be in Germany, which would be nice.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page