Aiden McGeady: James Forrest can be a superstar

Former Celtic star Aiden McGeady says only fitness problems can stop Forrest from rising to the top.

Aiden McGeady knew James Forrest was destined for big things the second he clapped eyes on him.

But the Republic of Ireland internationalist reckons his Celtic successor needs to finally overcome his injury problems before he can finally fulfil his true potential as the hottest talent in the country.

While McGeady has finally achieved his lifelong ambition of moving to the English Premier League via Moscow, he has watched Forrest’s progress from afar. He hopes his fellow winger can remain fit and move on to the next level.

McGeady says: “I was able to monitor his progress when I was in Russia because I kept tabs on Celtic.

“I watched as many games as I could and I would also go online to read match reports and articles.

“James has been unlucky with injuries and, if it hadn’t been for those niggles, he’d already be at the next stage of his career.

“Right now, he needs to get back the momentum of playing every week because he definitely has the potential to play at the highest level.

“At Celtic there were always a lot of younger boys training with the senior players, boys who have been playing for the reserves and who are supposed to be the next big thing.

“But James was the only one I ever thought had a chance of making it.

“He came in and he looked like a first-team player straight away. He’s played a lot of games for Celtic, but I think there’s still a good bit more to come from him.

“James has the quality and all the tools you need to become a top player.”

While McGeady’s stunning form during his time at Parkhead eventually secured the Parkhead club a £9.5m bid from

Spartak Moscow, interest in Forrest has died down in the last year as a result of his injury problems.

Although Hoops boss Neil Lennon is no doubt pleased to see leading clubs such as Spurs back away from tabling a bid for his star player, McGeady believes interest will increase if Forrest remains fit.

“There’s a possibility he could have moved on already but for those injuries,” says McGeady.

“Clubs were watching him and if he had carried on playing as well as he had been then the sky would have been the limit.

“He was only 21 at the time he’s only 22 now and if you’re playing consistently well for Celtic every week and doing it in the Champions League, then you’re going to get noticed.”

While comparisons have often been made between the pair, McGeady doesn’t believe they are similar attacking players.

“We’re different kinds of players,” he says.

“His game is based more on pace, although he’s technically good as well. I’m more inclined to beat opponents with a trick or a little feint or something.

“I can do what he does and James can do what I do it’s just different ways of playing. He’s more direct than I am.

“The only thing James has to do is to keep himself fit. Once he’s in the team then the other things will take care of themselves.”