Forrest to bring Bhoys confidence to Scotland set-up

James Forrest is hoping the new confidence he has found at Celtic this season can be transferred to the Scotland duty this week.

The Tartan Army face Lithuania at Hampden Park on Saturday before a tough looking trip to face Slovakia on Tuesday.

Forrest has been re-energised under new Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers this season and the 25-year-old believes that can have a knock-on effect with the national team.

“Brendan Rodgers has been a big influence on me. I’m sure a lot of the Celtic boys would say the same.

He’s came in and given us a lot of confidence,” Forrest said. “You can take that in to the international scene.

All the boys will tell you, if you are feeling confident then you come here with a spring in your step and it can only be good for the national team.”

Back in January, Forrest’s career in Glasgow seemed to coming to an end. He had lost favour with Ronny Deila after injuries and poor form set him back and he then turned down a new contract offer from the Parkhead club.

He has been reinvigorated since Rodgers’ arrival in May but the player also credits Scotland boss and former Celtic supremo Gordon Strachan with keeping faith in him when others might have been doubting.

Forrest wants to repay the Scotland manager for that confidence booster when it was needed most.

“The manager (Strachan) has really helped me a lot. He played a big part in helping me during that time. He spoke to me a lot, he had me involved in a lot of squads, even when I maybe wasn’t playing every week at club level,” he added.

“I really appreciated what he did for me and that support is not something I’ll forget. “I just want to keep working hard for him and playing well any time he gives me a chance.”

Scotland are 1.50 to beat Lithuania, who are 7.00, on Saturday while the draw is 4.20 at Hampden Park.