Forrest: 'The manager let us know what he thought . . . it wasn't good enough'

Chief Sports Writer

Monday 17 September 2012

A chastened James Forrest hopes for a chance of redemption when Celtic play Benfica in the Champions league at Parkhead on Wednesday night.

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Hugh MacDonald

Forrest, who was described as "poor" by Neil Lennon, his manager, in the wake of defeat by St Johnstone, hopes to return to the form that has won him Scottish caps if he is selected for his first group stage match in Europe's top competition. Lennon said Saturday's performance may force him into a rethink on selection for that match.

"You grow up watching the Champions League and want to play in it," said Forrest."If I get to play in it then I'd be delighted." He added: "The manager let us know what he thought, all the lads know it wasn't good enough. Sometimes he will tell individuals what he thinks but this time it was more of a collective thing."There are no excuses. Wednesday night wasn't in our minds, it was a bad result. It's nothing to do with complacency, the boys have been flying in training."Celtic hope to have Efe Ambrose, the 23-year-old Nigerian internationalist, available to play with the central defender waiting to receive a work permit after his transfer from Israeli side FC Ashdod. Lennon said that the paper work should be completed early this week but that it would be a gamble to include the player in the team to play Benfica. Nuno Gomes, the former Benfica and Portugal forward, has said his old club have been weakened by player sales and the suspension of Luisao, their captain, who has been banned for two months for pushing a referee in a pre-season game and will miss the Celtic game if UEFA extend the sanction to the Champions League and the club do not appeal. Benfica sold Javi Garcia to Manchester City and Axel Witsel to Zenit St Petersburg in the summer for a combined £49m.Gomes said: "A player like Luisao is always very needed. Losing his commanding voice is obviously something that will be felt."With the sale of Javi Garcia, plus that of Witsel, Benfica are weakened in their midfield. It's not easy to replace Javi. "Witsel is also an excellent player with great feet, a lot of class, but he plays in a position in which Benfica has alternatives."

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Forrest: 'The manager let us know what he thought . . . it wasn't good enough'

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