Forrest urged to ignore Spurs
SFA keen to see winger stay at Parkhead for first-team football
Last Updated: January 24, 2012 8:11pm
Celtic winger James Forrest has been urged to ignore reported interest from Tottenham in order to continue his development at Parkhead.
The Scotland international has drawn attention from Harry Redknapp, who said: "He's a player we have watched, but he belongs to Celtic."
However, Scottish Football Association performance director Mark Wotte thinks the 20-year-old would be better served playing regular football for Celtic.
"The worst thing that can happen to him is that he could sign for an English Premier League club and not play," Wotte told Sky Sports News. "That could stop his development.
"It's up to Jamie Forrest and his family, and up to Celtic whether they want to sell him or not.
Experience
"I've listened to him and he says very clever things, I don't think we need to worry about Jamie Forrest."
Wotte's thoughts were echoed by former Celtic midfielder Barry Robson, now at Middlesbrough.
He said: "I would like him to stay at Celtic a wee bit longer and ply his trade, maybe get Celtic back in Europe and get some big-game experience.
"He's got plenty of time to go down and show his talents down south.
"I remember when I was at Celtic and he was a young kid just coming in and I was impressed with him right away. I looked at him and thought, 'he's got a real chance, this kid'.
"He's just progressing more and more. When he's been with Scotland squads, he seems very grounded, very down-to-earth and he's got a big, big future ahead of him."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11675/7452721/Forrest-urged-to-ignore-Spurs