Midfielder James Forrest believes having a core group of players from the same club in the national team’s starting line-up has been a major factor behind Scotland’s recent resurgence.
The 26-year-old was one of six Celtic players who started both games for Gordon Strachan’s side in the World Cup qualifying double-header against Lithuania and Malta.
The Scots won both matches to keep their hopes of making it to the play-offs for next year’s showpiece in Russia on track with the national team going into next month’s matches against Slovakia and Slovenia knowing maximum points will be enough to see them finish second in Group F.
Forrest reckons having so many members of last season’s treble-winning Celtic in the team has been beneficial but stressed that the non-Celtic players in the squad have contributed just as much to the cause.
He said: “To have six players at club level who also go on and play at international level is only going to help the team.
“I think you saw that in the last two games, but there are other boys in this team who have stepped up to the plate as well.
“Confidence is high and we just want to keep it going.
“Hopefully all the boys will go away now and keep doing well for their clubs.
“If you are doing well for your club then it can only bring positivity at international level. Everybody is looking to the next time around.
“We came away for this double-header knowing all we could do was win the two games and we have done that.
“We scored five goals and conceded none so we are looking forward the next two games.
“The Slovakia game next month is going to be massive.
“It is really tight between ourselves, Slovenia and Slovakia, so I’m sure the support will be right behind us for that one.
“There were 10 changes from the team who started against Lithuania last year.
“The squad is strong and the training is at a high level so it keeps everyone on their toes.”
Forrest has enjoyed an impressive start to the season at club level with three goals in 11 appearances so far.
But the Scotland international admits the return of attacking midfielder Patrick Roberts from Manchester City to Parkhead on a season-long loan means he will have to be at his best to remain in the team.
He added: “It is definitely good to have him back.
“At a massive club like Celtic they are always looking to strengthen the team and with the amount of games we play you are always going to need a lot of players in the squad as well.
“There was good competition last year and it will be the same this year.
“The first part of last season, and maybe the next part after as well, was really good for me. Maybe the last four or five weeks weren’t the best. But we’ve started off really well again this season, we have got into the Champions League, and we just want to keep on being really positive.”
