Scott Sinclair believes that James Forrest is the player to make Scotland tick as Alex McLeish’s side head into a critical Nation’s League double header.

Forrest has arguably been the player of the season so far for Celtic and Sinclair believes that the winger can be expected to replicate his domestic form at international level.

There were a few eyebrows raised last month when Forrest, fresh from four goals against St Johnstone in a thumping of the Perthshire side, wasn’t handed a starting jersey by McLeish as Scotland stumbled to a defeat in Israel.

But having continued to produce at club level, Sinclair has insisted that on current form Forrest can offer a much needed element of creativity for Scotland.

“He’s brilliant,” enthused the Englishman. “He’s so quick with his feet and, when he beats that first man, they’re not catching him.

“He’s so quick he can just drive past him and get a good cross in. He was brilliant against Leipzig and he’s heading to Scotland in good form.

“Even at international level, he takes some stopping. To be honest, I don’t think there are many defences anywhere that can stop him when he’s at full pelt.

“When he’s on that ball and dribbles, it’s great to watch.”

Sinclair will get a breather this week in an otherwise quiet Lennoxtown. With the bulk of Brendan Rodgers’ squad off on international duty, the winger will have a chance to reflect on his own recent form.

Having come back into the team at Murrayfield in the Betfred League Cup semi-final against Hearts, Sinclair has looked a lot more like his former self. There has been a more confident look about him and his part in the winning goal against Leipzig last week in the Europa League suggests an understanding with Ryan Christie as well as his continued partnership with Kieran Tierney.

“Myself, KT and Ryan have been linking up well in the last couple of games,” said Sinclair. “I think it’s great for that left side, to have that. I played a one-two with KT, played it into Ryan and he squared it for Odsonne – straight after kick-off, as well.

“The relationship we’ve built up, myself and Ryan, with KT in there as well, it’s really beginning to work very well.

“He’s a clever player and has fit in with the combinations we’re putting together. It feels very good.”

The win last week gives Celtic cause for optimism that they can make it out of Group B and into the latter stages of the Europa League.

The Parkhead side will return after the international break to play Hamilton Accies before then heading to what feels like an old stomping ground in Norway. Rosenborg are familiar opponents given the regularity with which the sides have met in European competition of late – they have faced one another five times in the last 18 months – including in this season’s UEFA Champions League qualifiers.

Brendan Rodgers’s side have held the upper hand over the Trondheim side who are currently without a point at the foot of Group B. Any positive result later this month would tee up a climactic finale against league leaders Salzburg in December.

“Obviously it’s another must-win game,” said Sinclair. “So we play our normal game, go out like we did against Leipzig, which was a must-win for us.

“We do that and we keep this form going, we’ve got a good chance.”

Celtic have rediscovered their swagger of late after what was a difficult opening start to the campaign. The international break should alleviate some of the injury issues at the club with Scott Brown given time to work on his fitness alongside the likes of Olivier Ntcham and Leigh Griffiths.

And Sinclair believes that the Parkhead side have served up a reminder with their recent form that they are unwilling to relinquish their grip on the domestic landscape.

“Something has just happened and it’s just clicked,” said the winger. “Everyone knows the quality in this team. We’re back-to-back Treble winners.

“The pressure is riding on us but, when we do go out and play our normal game, people can see the quality we still have in this team.

“We’re playing with a bit of freedom. That goes for everyone.

“And, once you get back-to-back wins and start playing in a really free manner, it gives everyone that confidence to kick on in every game we play.”