Fraser Forster is adamant another one of James Forrest’s “world-class” performances can rocket Celtic into the group stage of the Europa League.
The winger heads on to today’s team flight bound for Stockholm in sensational Euro form.
Forrest has scored in the last three ties against Cluj and AIK during a barnstorming start to the campaign.
It’s been no shock to Forster upon his return to Glasgow that the attacker is constantly producing the goods.
The keeper may have joked that his pal is “devastated” about the emergence of the old picture from several years ago that shows the pair together with the first Premiership trophy they won as team-mates at Parkhead – with the winger looking so young he could have been a ball boy!
But he is deadly serious about the way Forrest can devastate foreign defences. Forster said: “Hopefully he’ll be the man who gets us through here too as he’s been fantastic.
“He’s devastated about that old picture! But he was putting great performances in then and he’s gone on to be absolutely fantastic over the past few years.
“It’s mad I’ve been away for five years. At that time he was a young player, not that he’s old now.
“He’s just taken it up to a different level and is consistently producing world-class performances. It’s fantastic to see as he’s a lovely lad.”
While Forrest will be leading the push for the away goal, skipper Scott Brown will be looking to protect the backline enough to ensure the Swedes don’t find a way back into the tie.
Between them they have a staggering 192 European appearances.
And although at the age of 34 the skipper is coming towards the latter stages of his career, manager Neil Lennon is adamant his influence remains as strong as ever and Forster is not about to disagree.
The keeper said: “He’s just another one who seems to get better with age and he’s a top player. As a captain he’d be among the best I’ve ever had.
“He’s looking after himself so well and is just so consistent.
“He is fundamental to the team and it absolutely crucial.
“He was when I was here before and still is now with what he brings to changing room and what he brings to the pitch.
“Sometimes he doesn’t get the credit he deserves and people don’t realise how good he is until he’s not there on the pitch. It’s just fantastic.
“There are a lot of lads who were here when I left which is nice.
“It just makes it easier to settle. It’s like I’ve never been away. You just walk back in and there are so many familiar faces everywhere. It’s a really nice feeling.”
Craig Gordon is another old face from Forster’s Celtic past who will have a key role in Stockholm.
With the Geordie not registered in time with UEFA to play, the Scotland star will return having missed out on last weekend’s win over Hearts.
Gordon was faultless during the first leg as the clean sheet was banked and Forster is desperate for him to repeat the trick and ensure Celtic can enjoy European football until at least Christmas.
Not since 2010 has the club failed to make the group stage and the returning keeper is adamant that, even though the Champions League was the one the club really wanted, it’s vital the Europa League berth is snared.
He said: “European football is important for Celtic. It was a fantastic first leg result and hopefully we can finish the job next week.
“It would be massive to be be in the groups. Those are the nights everyone looks forward to.
“Hopefully we can get through and I can sample that atmosphere.
“Celtic can definitely make an impact in the Europa League.
“It’s always disappointing when you miss out on the Champions League but those qualifiers are among the toughest games you can ever play in and over two legs anything can happen.
“The lads did well to bounce back from that and it was a terrific result against AIK last week.
“I just hope we can finish the job on Thursday and get through to the group stage because the first game was a reminder to me of just how great European nights are at Celtic Park.”
