There has rarely been such a clear cut Bhoy of the Match as that performed by Forster to help win X in a row for Celtic at Hampden in the League Cup Final.
Indeed, it is difficult to remember the last time a goalkeeper made 8 saves to keep a clean sheet and win such a major game.
The last time a Celtic goalkeeper had to make 8 saves, Celtic were harassed to a 3-0 defeat in the Alliance Arena as Gordon performed manfully to keep the score respectable against Bayern Munich.
Forster simply plays well in the big matches.
Until Sunday in 13 Scottish matches he had made 14 saves whilst conceding 8 goals. Based on xG, he was expected to concede 7.43, so slightly below par.
However, in Europe, he has saved 22 in 5 games whilst conceding 4. xG says he might have conceded 8.601. Big guy, big game player.
Of the 8 saves Forster made, 4 were exceptional.
- His 13th minute save from Jack’s long-range effort was perhaps expected in that the shot was from so far out. But the Ibrox player hit is really well, and hard. Forster’s great paw interrupted the journey into the top corner.
- On the 40th minute, his private duel with Morelos was in full swing – this was 4th from that player. In this case Morelos is clean through and Forster makes a trademark save with his feet.
- In the 56th minute he makes his 5th save from the Colombian. This time the striker was free inside the 6-yard box and in text book fashion headed it back and down. Forster’s big paw to the rescue again.
- His 6th and final save from the number 20 was the most dramatic, this time a poorly hit penalty which he palmed away to his right. It sucked the life out the opposition.
Six saves from the same player may well be unprecedented since Celtic By Numbers began.
In total Forster faced on target shots to the tune of 1.817 xG but there was no way past the Great Wall.
The Englishman failed to find a Celt with 14 restart kicks, an incredible number. This reflects the lack of focus Celtic had on how to play with no recognised striker for an hour. In open play he completed 12 passes, and lost 4. He also recovered the ball 9 times from the many long balls and crosses.
But it was all about the saves, and Morelos will be having nightmares about him.
Compelling numbers but distribution is also worrying. Same against Hamilton where of course the same false nine was the set up. Eddy would not necessarily improve this as I feel he is dominated too easily by defenders in the air. Griffiths, and to an extent Bayo are better in this respect.