NEIL LENNON is insistent that tonight's Champions League Group H tie against Ajax in Amsterdam is not any sort of audition for Fraser Forster in terms of laying a claim to the England No.1 spot.
The Celtic goalkeeper is being widely touted as a probable replacement for the out-of-form Joe Hart - he was again left out of Manchester City's side for their group game against CSKA Moscow last night - ahead of England's friendlies against Germany and Chile this month.
Lennon believes that Forster has already demonstrated his ability by forcing his way into Roy Hodgson's squad and he does not want any extra pressure to be placed on the shoulders of such an important player ahead of a vital qualifier.
"I don't think it is a make-or-break game for him and I have said that to him already," Lennon said. "I said, 'You have just got to stay in the moment now and just keep your form going at this level.'
"I can't see him not being picked for one of the friendlies, anyway, and, regardless of Joe's form, I think Roy had indicated that Fraser will get an opportunity."
Lennon is mindful of how important Forster's form in big European ties has been and he expects him to have another busy shift tonight.
He is determined that the goalkeeper's focus remains on this match. "I don't want to put extra pressure on Fraser by saying, 'Look, you have to play well [for a cap]. I don't think it is a distraction. I think he is in a fairly good place [in terms of his England prospects]. I don't want this to be a short-term thing for him, I want it to be long term: the next five, six or seven years being England's No.1 or No.2. If Joe was playing brilliantly, Fraser should still get the opportunity. But, it's not up to me, it's up to Roy."
Hodgson stood by Hart for the World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland last month and Lennon agreed with that decision: "I understand why Roy went with Joe because he has played very well for him throughout the tournament, and you show a bit of loyalty to your No.1 at times, no matter if they have a rocky period or not. But he did intimate that he may look at Fraser for these friendlies and I hope that is the case. That's for the future. Tonight I need him at his best, and he seems to thrive in this environment."
Frank de Boer, the Ajax coach, sought, meanwhile, to deflect some of the heat from his side ahead of the tie they must win to remain in contention for qualification. The Dutch champions have only one point from their opening three games but De Boer is still convinced his players were entitled to feel hard done by after leaving Glasgow with a 2-1 defeat a fortnight ago. Although their form since has been poor - they have been booed by sections of their support - De Boer believes tonight could be the turning point in their stalled campaign.
"I think we showed last time that we are not a worse team than Celtic," he said. "This time we have our fans supporting us and we do have a good chance of winning, but maybe it will be even closer than at Celtic [Park]."
De Boer did concede that his youthful side, who have won Eredivisie three times in a row and consigned Manchester City to bottom spot in their Champions League group last season, are underachieving.
"We are not taking enough points at the moment. Ajax, and our fans, are used to taking three points, so of course people are disappointed. Many good things are happening at Ajax, but, ultimately, it is all about results and they can be improved. I think we are heading in the right direction but we need to get more points."
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