Former Celtic legend Frank McAvennie has praised the impact current Hoops winger James Forrest has had on the club this season.
Hooper, who has netted 17 goals this season, has been an influential figure in guiding Celtic towards a historic treble treble and was rewarded for his efforts by being crowned the PFA Scotland Player of the Year.
Speaking to the Daily Record, McAvennie told reporters that Forrest’s success must also be accredited to the impact of ex-Celtic loanee Patrick Roberts and former manager Brendan Rodgers.
“It was only between James and Callum [McGregor] for Player of the Year,” the 59-year-old said. “His fellow pros made the right decision in awarding it to James because he has been consistent all season.
“He hasn’t always been that way. He would be great for maybe quarter or half a season then go off the boil a bit. But since Patrick Roberts turned up at Celtic, that pushed him on and he has really kicked on from there.
“When you look back to where he was when Brendan Rodgers came in, that pre-season, he just didn’t look right. Brendan is obviously a top manager and found the way to get to him.
“There was never any doubt he had the talent. James has always shown it, just not consistently. This season, he has been different class. So he fully deserves the award.”
OPINION
McAvennie is right – it really has been a fantastic season for Forrest. Not only has he got 17 goals, but the 27-year-old also has 20 assists in all competitions. Forrest’s biggest impact has come in the Scottish Premiership, where has netted 11 times and laid on 11 other goals. Earlier in the season, his form in the Europa League and Champions League qualifying stages was immense. In the Champions League qualifiers, he scored two goals and assisted five others in six appearances, and even though the Hoops were knocked out in the third qualifying round by AEK Athens, take nothing away from the winger’s performances in those games. As regards Celtic’s efforts to complete a domestic treble treble, Forrest has been at it too, scoring three goals in four Scottish Cup appearances so far, with the final set against Hearts on May 25. Forrest’s impact has also been felt on the international stage, his five goals in two games helping Scotland earn a place in the play-offs for Euro 2020.