Celtic hero says Hoops owe fans Rangers win at Hampden and reveals Martin O'Neill effect
Celtic are hunting a first win over their rivals in five attempts in Sunday's Premier Sports Cup semi final.
James Forrest admits Celtic owe their fans an Old Firm victory in Sunday's League Cup semi final at Hampden.
The Hoops haven’t beaten Rangers since last December’s final in the same competition - and even that was on penalties.
You have to go back six encounters and 14 months for the last time the Hoops beat Rangers over 90 minutes with the Ibrox side winning two of the last four. The sides fought out a goalless draw in Govan earlier this season.
And, asked if they owe the fans a win, Forrest said: “Definitely. It has been a long time and this one is at Hampden with the chance to get into a final so there is no better time to do it.
“Getting to the final would be really good. It is our biggest rival, and you don’t want to hear stats like that. You want to get positive results against your rival but these things happen.
“We played them in the League Cup Final last year and we got a positive result so we can focus on that.”
Martin O’Neill will be in charge of the Hoops on derby day, 20 years since he last stood in the dug out for an Old Firm.
The 73-year-old’s return has brought an air of calm to a turbulent week that saw the Hoops lose at Hearts 24 hours before Brendan Rodgers bombshell departure on Monday.
Forrest admits it’s been a tough few days. But he knows victory at Hampden would be the perfect way to heal the scars.
He said: “Definitely. As a footballer you need to deal with obstacles.
“Callum McGregor was talking about it the other day, we are not top of the league just now so to start winning games every week and playing really well would show a different type of character.
“The intensity and pace the other night against Falkirk was good and we can hopefully we can bring more of it against Rangers.
The national stadium’s stands will be split right down the middle - and Forrest can’t wait to walk into the heat of battle with the carrot of another final for the winner.
The club’s most decorated player of all time said: “Aye, I enjoy it. We used to get loads of Celtic fans at Ibrox. I really liked those atmospheres.
“There have been spells without away fans at the derbies and I prefer the mixed crowd. The 50-50 split is especially good and these are the games you want to be involved in.”