---
title: "Celtic: Alex McLeish claims James Forrest has been a ‘big’ loss"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/injury-news-james-forrest-spfl/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-09-26T19:45:01Z"
modified: "2021-09-26T19:45:01Z"
---

# Celtic: Alex McLeish claims James Forrest has been a ‘big’ loss

**Alex McLeish has claimed that James Forrest has been a ‘big’ loss to Celtic since his injury.**

### The Lowdown: Forrest update

As cited by the [The Scotsman](https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/striker-boost-for-celtic-as-ange-postecoglou-issues-james-forrest-and-callum-mcgregor-injury-update-3392541), Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that the 30-year-old, along with Christopher Jullien, will return to training with the first team after the international break in October.

\[freshpress-poll id=”375116″\]

Forrest has [not played](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-forrest/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/84992/plus/0?saison=2021&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) for the Hoops since their 2-0 Europa League qualifying first leg win at home to AZ Alkmaar in August.

### The Latest: McLeish on Forrest

When asked by [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/celtic-hit-by-shattering-double-injury-whammy-after-forrest-update-mcleish/) if not having Forrest available has been a loss for Celtic, former Scotland manager McLeish replied:

*“100 per cent.*

*“Sometimes get people watching games and say: ‘What does he really do?’ James does a lot. He probably isn’t open to those kinds of questions*

*“But you’ll see other players getting that asked of them: ‘What do they really do?’*

*“When they’re out of the game, that’s when you see how big a loss they are to a team.*

*“He’s produced so many goals over the seasons and so many assists. Not only that, his work rate for the team, his tracking back, he does all that’s well.*

*“That’s one of the things with last week’s Livingston result, Ange is going to be into those defenders. You’ve got to be back sharper, you’ve got to be out quicker.*

*“For me, there were a lot of players at half pace last weekend. Maybe it’s a confidence thing.”*

### The Verdict: Big miss

Forrest has certainly been a big miss to the Hoops, as you only have to look at their league position. Before their clash with Dundee United today, they were lingering in [sixth](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/scottish-premiership/table) spot, which is simply not good enough for a club of their calibre and adds credence to McLeish’s claim about him being a huge loss to Postecoglou’s side.

The 30-year-old had also started the season well, scoring two goals and supplying a further three assists in seven matches across all competitions ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-forrest/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/84992/plus/0?saison=2021&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=)), so he still plays a key role in the team.

The Bhoys will be hoping to have the Scotland international back as soon as possible so that he can help rejuvenate their campaign.

***In other news,*** [***Celtic have been dealt a triple injury blow***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/team-news-dundee-united-kyogo-mcgregor-johnston/)