Forrest targets run as Celtic close in on title

27 February 2013 03:16

Celtic midfielder James Forrest is hoping he has put his injury nightmares behind him as he targets a run in the first team.

The Scotland international is slowly returning to full fitness after a stop-start season due to a number of injury worries.

Forrest has now featured in five of Celtic's last six games and hopes to earn a regular first team spot as the Glasgow giants close in on retaining their Scottish Premier League title.

And after scoring in the 5-0 demolition of Dundee on Sunday Forrest is hoping to retain his starting slot for the match against Motherwell at Fir Park on Wednesday.

"I have done a lot of running with the sports scientist and I feel good. I just need to get more games," Forrest said.

"It has been really frustrating to come back and then get injured. They have been niggling injuries so hopefully I can have a bit of luck and stay fit for the rest of the season.

"There's not been anything seriously wrong so maybe that is a good thing. I am just looking forward to the rest of the season now."

The defeat of Dundee moved Neil Lennon's side 21 points clear at the top of the table with just 10 games remaining.

Despite the Glasgow giants moving to within four wins of the title Forrest insists his side will not get complacent and says there is still plenty to play for as they look to secure a league and Scottish Cup double.

"There are a lot of big games still to play and everyone wants to be in the starting 11," Forrest said.

"We have got a big match against Motherwell on Wednesday and we want to win that to have a bit of confidence for the cup game against St Mirren.

"We have a lot of players in the squad and everyone wants to play games so I am sure that will benefit us in the last few matches of the season.

"We want to win all our games. The gaffer was telling us that he wants us to get 92 points and if we win our last 10 games that's what we could get."

Elsewhere on Wednesday, new interim Dundee manager John Brown will take charge of his side for the first time as they take on fourth placed St Johnstone at Dens Park.

Dundee are 15 points adrift at the bottom of the table and face a St Johnstone side that are just a point off second place Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who host Dundee United at the Caledonian Thistle.

St Mirren could leapfrog financially-stricken Edinburgh club Hearts with a win at New St Mirren Park while Hibernian host Kilmarnock.

The match at Easter Road could see the Killie comeback of striker Kris Boyd, who has signed on with Kenny Shiels side until the end of the season after a spell with the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.

"I'll give it my all between now and the summer and then we'll see what happens," Boyd said.

"This gives me the chance to get my match sharpness back.

"I've been back training but this is a great opportunity. I want to get back into the team and get playing football again.

"Hopefully I can start scoring goals regularly.

"It wasn't about the financial side of things; it's close to my family and I need to play football.

"I need to prove myself again. I'm hungry and ready to play."

On Tuesday, visiting Ross County defeated Aberdeen, 1-0.

Fixtures (1945 unless otherwise stated)

Wednesday

Dundee v St Johnstone, Hibernian v Kilmarnock, Inverness CT v Dundee United, Motherwell v Celtic, St Mirren v Hearts

Source: AFP