A number of Celtic fans have gone ballistic on social media after seeing that James Forrest was ignored for the Scotland starting XI against Albania on Monday evening.
The Scottish national side confirmed their line up for their first ever Nations League clash on their official Twitter account, with it also being the first time they have met Albania in an international fixture.
Here is your Scotland line-up for our first ever UEFA Nations League match and first ever match against Albania #SCOALB #NothingMattersMore pic.twitter.com/ZNj8jgHvbm
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 10, 2018
However, the Parkhead faithful were absolutely raging on Twitter at seeing their 27-year-old star left out of the side – along with Leigh Griffiths and former star Stuart Armstrong – with the Bhoys winger having also been left as an unused substitute for the 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Belgium last week.
This is Futbol has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ tweets:
Armstrong, Forrest and Griffiths on the bench. No words. https://t.co/LdFDbD30JN
— TheMaestro1888 (@TheMaestro1888) September 10, 2018
Not being funny but that's a shocking line up. Armstrong griff and forrest should all be in there.
— Elvis (@elvis_1888) September 10, 2018
The fact that James Forrest is not in that Scotland team tells you all Ye need to know bout how much of a clue that manager has #rudivatasalbanianarmy
— did ye aye (@fearso81) September 10, 2018
No leigh griffiths and James forrest. Mcleish is having a laugh
— Joseph (@josephduffy81) September 10, 2018
Forrest Griffiths Armstrong n Soddy should be in that team. Windy be suprised if we get beat. Shambles https://t.co/EqGVxFYtD0
— RBB (@bradhiya) September 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/maley1967/status/1039207151279980544
Mental that James Forrest can't get a game for this team ?
— C S C? (@chrissycun) September 10, 2018
Griff Forrest and Armstrong on the bench?? https://t.co/S0I3rhGL2J
— Callum McMahon (@callummcmahon8) September 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/celtickev/status/1039206504547672066
Forrest in the form of his life and can't get in shocking
— ??J.P.Mullen-Celtic fc (@Buzzbomb11) September 10, 2018
Opinion
It goes without saying that many of the Celtic fans will also be cheering on the Scottish national team on Monday evening and those with green and white tinted spectacles on have every right to be fuming about Forrest’s omission. He has been in sensational form over the past couple of months and has been one of the Hoops’ main creative outlets, with six assists and two goals already under his belt from 12 appearances. Whether manager Alex McLeish has doubts over his ability to work in his system, or whether there may well be a slight fitness issue unbeknown to the supporters, only the Scotland boss knows, but if there is nothing wrong then there is no excuse for not having one of the country’s best players in the starting XI. It is not like this is a friendly game either – there is now something riding on the clash, one reason why the Nations League was introduced, and as such the likes of Forrest have to be starting.