Kris Boyd has slammed James Forrest for switching off in the first-half when St Johnstone’s Scott Tanser crossed a dangerous ball into the Celtic penalty area.
Tony Watt almost got himself on the scoresheet in the 12th minute after a swift counter attack by the hosts at McDiarmid Park.
Ex-Rangers forward Boyd was not happy with the way that Forrest failed to track back and left Mikael Lustig exposed early on in the Scottish Premiership clash.
“James Forrest is not doing his job,” said Boyd on Sky Sports Football’s live half-time analysis of the game on Saturday [01:25pm].
He added: “As a full-back you want to take him back down pitch but he’s not, he’s switched off there. He’s left Lustig two v one, [Tanser] has got across and put a fantastic ball [into the box].”
OPINION
Forrest did not have the best of games against St Johnstone in the 2-0 win over Tommy Wright’s side on Sunday, even though he did manage to get himself on the scoresheet. The 27-year-old Scotland international has been sensational at times for the Bhoys this season and is definitely a contender to win the player of the year award. However he will surely admit that he was not good enough in his overall contribution in Perth this weekend. Boyd was right about him leaving Lustig exposed in the first-half but Forrest is a forward-minded player who doesn’t need to track back all the time. Lustig and the other Celtic defensive players should be able to cope with the attackers that St Johnstone have and Forrest is better off left further up the park to help spark a counter attack. Luckily the Saints did not score from that opportunity that Boyd pointed out.