James Forrest's lack of Celtic action 'absolutely baffling' as Rodgers sees his own words thrown back in his face

James Forrest was the Celtic hero at Dens Park - but his lack of game-time has left one pundit scratching his head.

Brendan Rodgers branded the Hoops legend as the 'best winger' he has at the club last month and he stood up that verdict with a match-winning display against Dundee to keep the champions three points clear of Rangers at the Scottish Premiership summit. His two goals - including an excellent volleyed finish for the opener - secured a 2-1 win in the City of Discovery with just four games of the league campaign left to play.

Forrest has been restricted to appearances from the bench this campaign but was handed a rare start on Sunday and after another big performance, former Celtic and Rangers striker Kenny Miller has questioned why he doesn't get in from the off regularly and admits he has found it amazing that he has NOT been included more often after showing his class once again.

He told the Scottish Football Podcast: "It absolutely baffles me why James Forrest isn't playing as much. I know Brendan Rodgers sees him every day in training. But when you hear him making that statement about him being the best winger, you think 'right ok, your wingers haven't really produced this season' so you wonder why Forrest has not played more.

"He comes on in the semi-final and makes such a difference. He is so clever a footballer, James, he gets and creates goals. He is getting on now at 30-plus but he is still really direct and can get at the full-back and create things. So I have found it amazing that he has not played more.

"When he does play, I think he got a hat-trick earlier in the season and last week he comes into the game and is the game-changer. His two finishes [Dundee] were absolutely sensational. The first one he has a split second to think. That is not an easy technique if you have all the time in the world to think. He just reacts and it is in the back of the net and then he goes and gets the decisive goal as well."