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Ex-teammate verdict on Forrest potential absence v Rangers after Celtic injury latest
Alan Hutton has backed James Forrest to fully recover from his injury scare to start for Celtic against Rangers on Sunday.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, dropped his first-hand experience of playing with the 29-year-old and insisted John Kennedy’s update should not be too concerning.
As quoted by the Scottish Sun, the Hoops’ interim manager confirmed Forrest limped with tightness around his back and hamstrings in the 6-0 win over Livingston.
Forrest, making his first league start since September, opened the scoring against Livi but was subbed off before the hour mark.
He has now played four times since returning from an ankle injury that required surgery.
Hutton, who played alongside the winger on international duty, insisted Forrest had a history of aches and pains.
As such, he admitted he would be stunned if the Celtic star did not start against Rangers.
“Of course Kennedy will be wary,” Hutton told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge.
“We’ve seen how important he’s been in the last few games but from my experience with him and playing with him for Scotland did that have those types of tightness in his back and his hamstrings.
“He’s one of those players, he’s got a lot of pace and it can easily happen. He’s been on the sidelines for a long time remember, so you’re going to get these little niggles.
“I’m pretty sure he’ll be playing at the weekend. I think they’ve taken him off as a precaution, make sure he’s okay. They’ll be working with him through the week, monitoring his training.
“I’ll be shocked if he’s not in that starting lineup come Sunday.”
In other news, Football Insider has revealed the frontrunner to sign Odsonne Edouard from Celtic.