Stephen O’Donnell’s long-held admiration for James Forrest is such he will bear no grudge if he pips him to Scotland’s right wing-back position for tomorrow’s UEFA Nations League match against Israel.
O’Donnell was a surprise inclusion for Scotland’s 2-0 win against Albania last time out, with the Kilmarnock player winning his fourth cap as Alex McLeish’s side opened their campaign with a victory.
Despite O’Donnell drawing plaudits for his performance, Forrest has catapulted himself into contention with a timely four-goal display in Celtic’s 6-0 win over St Johnstone on Sunday. Another candidate for the position, Bournemouth’s former Aberdeen winger Ryan Fraser, withdrew from the squad yesterday due to injury.
With McLeish favouring a 3-5-2 system, there is likely to be just one wide right position up for grabs in Haifa tomorrow, and O’Donnell feels both he and Forrest have a strong case.
O’Donnell said: “I don’t think either of us are getting too caught up on it. We both have different attributes.
“I would see myself as a right back and he’d probably see himself as a right winger or even a left winger.
“We all have strengths and weaknesses. I’m not going to kid myself on that I’m better going forward than James or Ryan. I’m a bit more defensive, provide a bit more height. People can look into it.
“If it was a shoot-off between us – whoever he picked – I know I’d be delighted for James if he was playing.”
Former Dons youth player O’Donnell is no stranger to Forrest, with the pair having featured in the same Celtic youth team between 2009 and 2011, prior to the right back playing for Partick Thistle, Luton Town and now Killie.
The 26-year-old says Forrest’s talent was evident from an early age, adding: “He’s a great guy and someone I’ve huge amounts of respect for. I played with him for Celtic under-19s.
“He probably won’t remember it because he’s had so many good ones, but we played in a tournament in Villarreal, where we got beaten in the final. I was right-back and he was right midfield.
“It was against Real Madrid, Milan, Japan and then Liverpool in the final. It was my first season and when I got to play with him I thought: ‘He’s different gravy. If he doesn’t do well in football there’s something far wrong.’
“I was just giving him the ball and looking good playing a five-yard pass. I was the water-carrier. I just gave him the ball and he did the rest.”
O’Donnell has not looked back since winning his first caps in May’s friendly defeats to Mexico and Peru, but the Bellshill-born player feels he is still adjusting to international football.
He added: “Maybe some people do take it for granted, I honestly don’t know.
“But coming away, maybe not thinking I would have the opportunity, it does maybe make me cherish it and really value getting the experience.
“Being around some of the players, I watch some of the stuff the boys do in training and think ‘I’ll try that next time’ – it’s a different level.
“For me it’s more about trying to learn, enjoy it while I’ve got it, and if other boys at smaller clubs get the opportunity hopefully they take it as well.
“But you can only really take it game-by-game.
“It’s not like you get a move, you get a trip and hopefully you do well to do enough to get in the next one.”
