---
title: "Celtic: Ange Postecoglou addresses James Forrest absence"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-ange-postecoglou-addresses-james-forrest-absence/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-10-03T10:10:21Z"
modified: "2021-10-03T10:10:21Z"
---

# Celtic: Ange Postecoglou addresses James Forrest absence

**Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has addressed James Forrest’s Hoops absence, as reported by the [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/ange-postecoglou-says-celtic-transfer-25123869).**

### The Lowdown: Forrest’s absence

Forrest hasn’t been [seen](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-forrest/leistungsdaten/spieler/84992/plus/0?saison=2021) in a Celtic matchday squad since the 2-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in August, with Postecoglou citing a [knock](https://www.67hailhail.com/news/ange-postecoglou-explains-james-forrest-celtic-absence-tom-rogic-benching-also-addressed/) as the reason for his absence against St Mirren a few days later.

The 30-year-old has missed [nine](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-forrest/leistungsdaten/spieler/84992/plus/0?saison=2021) games, with the Hoops picking up just [three](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-forrest/leistungsdaten/spieler/84992/plus/0?saison=2021) wins without the winger, and it now appears that they’ll be without him for another while longer following the manager’s recent comments.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375302″\]

### The Latest: Postecoglou’s comments

Postecoglou was talking to the media, as relayed by the [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/ange-postecoglou-says-celtic-transfer-25123869), ahead of Celtic’s clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie this afternoon.

When asked about Christopher Jullien and Forrest, the 56-year-old admitted that he was hoping the latter wouldn’t be out for ‘too long’, but it has been difficult to put a timeline on when the winger could return.

The Hoops manager said:

> “They both have that experience and nous.
>
> “That’s why it will be great to get them back because they can help us through this challenging period.
>
> “It’s hard to say exactly when they’ll be back. Chris has been working in rehab and we’re hopeful that he’ll start team training after the international break.
>
> “James is a bit different. He had a minor setback and we just haven’t been able to get him up and running.
>
> “It’s difficult to have a timeline on it. My initial thoughts were he wouldn’t be too long but it’s become a bit stretched out now.
>
> “We have to be guided by him and how the injury heals. He’s a player I felt would make a significant contribution. Obviously that hasn’t happened.”

[Celtic updates!!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-14/)

### The Verdict: Not ideal

Postecoglou was hoping that Forrest would have made a ‘significant contribution’ under him at Parkhead, but as we know, that is yet to materialise.

He also missed a large section of the [2020/21 campaign](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-forrest/leistungsdaten/spieler/84992/plus/0?saison=2020), so this latest setback isn’t ideal for the Hoops or the Scotland international.

Hopefully he’ll be able to nail down a place in the team for a long period of time and exert a major influence when he returns, but it remains to be seen when that will be.

***In other news: [Here’s a development regarding Kyogo Furuhashi that Postecoglou and Celtic could’ve done without](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-japans-kyogo-furuhashi-u-turn/)***