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James Forrest hails arrivals of Joe Hart and James McCarthy at Celtic

James Forrest hails arrivals of Joe Hart and James McCarthy at Celtic
© Reuters
The signings came a day before the Scottish club's Europa League qualifying first leg win over Czech side FK Jablonec.

Celtic winger James Forrest says the influx of experience to the club was a major boost ahead of their first victory of the season.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart made his debut in Thursday's 4-2 Europa League qualifying win over Czech side FK Jablonec, 24 hours after arriving in a joint signing with Republic of Ireland player James McCarthy.

The former Hamilton midfielder will have to wait for his debut after training on his own during pre-season but Forrest revealed the news of his signing had also lifted the squad.

Forrest was on target in the first leg in the Czech Republic as Celtic finally secured a first win under Ange Postecoglou four games into his reign.

James Forrest File Photo
Celtic's James Forrest (Jeff Holmes/PA)

"Even the presence of Joe Hart when he came in for his first session was massive," Forrest said.

"It's great signings from the club and they will definitely help the dressing room. It's really exciting to play with players of that quality and experience.

"Joe Hart's first training session, you could hear him talking the full session, and he's a presence in the dressing room.

"We have not met McCarthy yet but everyone has seen him play and with the experience he has had with Ireland as well, he will be a great addition to the squad.

"There's a lot of quality at the club and a lot of young boys have done well in training but those two signings, you just feel a difference straight away.

Celtic v West Ham – Pre Season Friendly – Celtic Park
Ange Postecoglou now has his first win as Celtic manager (Jane Barlow/PA)

"It's not putting any pressure on them, they have obviously played under loads of pressure in their career before, but it's a massive boost. It's really good for the young lads and the senior lads as well."

There remains room for improvement in all areas of the pitch for Celtic but Forrest feels the much-needed win will give them a platform ahead of Sunday's cinch Premiership clash with Dundee at Parkhead.

"It's good to get a win, score some goals and feel good about ourselves again and obviously it gives us a good lead going into next week and hopefully we can build on that," he said.

"It was just important we stopped the mini rut and got that first win. Hopefully we can build on that and performances will gradually get better as well."

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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