Rab thinks Hodgson’s got it wrong on Forster

Rab Douglas had to join Celtic to get his first international cap. That’s why he can’t believe Fraser Forster may have to LEAVE to get his.

Forster’s form has seen him get a call-up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad. But despite a string of gaffes by number one Joe Hart in recent fixtures, the Celtic stopper had to watch Friday night’s 4-1 win over Montenegro at Wembley from the bench.

That disappointed Douglas, whose first Scotland cap came in 2002 after a string of sparkling performances for the Hoops. And he insists failing to reward AC Milan target Forster with an England cap while he’s still at Parkhead would be a mistake.

He said: “I think Scotland is seen as a footballing backwater in England. That’s maybe cost Fraser, but I think, if that’s the case, it actually says more for him as a player.

“If he’s playing in a so-called backwater but can step up on the big occasions and perform, does that not make him even more impressive? That’s the way I think they should look at it.

“If England don’t look at him in the Champions League, there are no bigger games other than internationals so when’s he going to get his chance?

“To be fair, my heart goes out to Joe Hart, and I’m sure Fraser’s does too, because as a keeper, if you make a couple of mistakes suddenly you’re hopeless. That’s clearly not the case, but at the moment, Fraser’s the one who’s performing.

“And he’s doing it against the likes of Barcelona and AC Milan week-in, week-out, so he has to get a chance soon.”

After leaving Dundee in the summer, Douglas signed up at Forfar as player/coach. He’s being kept out of the side by the man he’s coaching Darren Hill but he insists he has no problem with that.

And he is realistic enough to admit that if Hill continues to turn in solid performances under his tutelage, his time as a player could come to an end at the end of the season.

He said: “I’m 41 now and if I don’t play this year, I’m not going to play next year. And I don’t expect to play. I think Darren has been outstanding. I’ve just got to keep my head down, keep coaching and be ready if I’m needed.”