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Neil Lennon delighted with James Forrest return

Neil Lennon delighted with James Forrest return
© Reuters
The Scotland international has been out since September following ankle surgery.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon is delighted to see James Forrest closing in on a comeback as he stressed they would go all out to cut the deficit on Rangers.

Forrest has stepped up his recovery on Celtic's Dubai training camp and could soon join recently-returned fellow winger Mikey Johnston back in full training.

The Scotland international has been out since September but is set to be available in the coming weeks following ankle surgery.

Lennon feels the reintroduction of both wingers will be a major boost as his side look to chip away at a 19-point gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Lennon told Celtic TV: "We have missed those two this year. They are two exceptional talents, very individual talents, and they can change the dynamic of the way we play.

"Mikey has had a real bad run of injuries and it's great to see him back and flourishing again, and Jamesy is not a million miles away, which is huge because he has been such a pivotal player for us over the years."

Lennon remained defiant after his side lost 1-0 to Rangers at Ibrox after Nir Bitton's red card changed the dynamics of a game which Celtic had dominated for an hour.

"We have got our targets, we have got our incentives, we have a lot to play for still," said Lennon, whose side have three games in hand on the leaders.

"We are not giving up on the league by any stretch of the imagination but we are going to have to be really on it from here on in and they are capable of doing that."

Celtic's trip to the Middle East sparked criticism and their actions were questioned by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, but the Celtic manager claimed it has been "very worthwhile"  with "huge" psychological benefits.

"Players have done some good work, feel better about themselves, they are refreshed, they have had some warm weather, they are feeling good, so all those cumulative effects will hopefully stand us in good stead," he said.

"I think the players will get the benefit of it in the second half of the season."

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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
Relegation Group
1Hibernian21014854-642
2Aberdeen22003749-1241
3Motherwell21015053-340
4Ross County21013459-2533
5St Johnstone20022550-2531
RLivingston21012563-3821
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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