Pat Bonner dismisses James Forrest’s Scotland chances

Steve Clarke could have a bit of a headache on his hands when it comes to this summer’s Euros, as injuries to his usual squad pool are starting to mount up, with some confirmed as unavailable and others touch-and-go.

Lewis Ferguson is definitely out after the Bologna star underwent surgery on his knee lately, whereas Stuart Armstrong, Aaron Hickey and Scott McTominay are all doubts as it stands. It leaves major question marks over who Clarke will turn to if he need to make adjustments to the squad ahead of the tournament kicking off, with the squad spaces also expanded from 23 to 26 too.

BBC Sportsound pundit, Richard Gordon, argued that Forrest could be given an international call-up again after an extended period of time out of the picture, saying on the programme to Bonner it could be a name in the running, going on recent form. However, former Celtic goalkeeper Bonner, argued it was a bit optimistic, saying: “Nah, I don’t think he’s played enough to justify that.”

Gordon, who was the one who put the wingers name forward to the man who’s represented his country at major tournaments in his own career, replied: “So his time’s up? He wouldn’t be the first player not to be playing regularly to get a game for the national team, would he?”

Bonner then responded: “Possibly so! But I think that day is probably gone. He’s 32-years-old now. But he has the quality. When you think of the last time Brendan Rodgers was here, they played slightly different in the fact that the wingers or wide men played almost inside. Scott Sinclair started almost into those little pockets and got on the ball and was really effective.

“James played over on the left-hand side today and he did more of that today. The goal came from him being in that position. The quality was there and the finish but his intelligence, and he was given that licence to go, start wide and get on the inside, and I think he did that under Brendan Rodgers a lot more than probably the wingers are being asked to do here.

“Maybe it’s a throwback to Ange who asked them to be really wide and play wide, maybe that’s something Brendan wanted to keep in the team and that’s why James Forrest hasn’t been able to get a game.”