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Forrest calls for one last push from Celtic to reach Europa League knock-outs

Forrest calls for one last push from Celtic to reach Europa League knock-outs
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Hoops need at least a point in their final group game in Glasgow on Thursday night.

James Forrest helped Celtic blow Kilmarnock off the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership but stressed it will require "a big push" to overcome Salzburg on Thursday night.

The Scotland winger grabbed a brace in Saturday's 5-1 demolition of Steve Clarke's side who could not cope with the pace and power of the champions.

French striker Odsonne Edouard, captain Mikael Lustig and midfielder Ryan Christie also scored with substitute Eamonn Brophy's penalty a consolation for the visitors.

Celtic ended the weekend two points clear of Rangers, who drew 1-1 with 10-man Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers' side will be through to the knockout stages of the Europa League if they win or draw their final Group B clash against the already-qualified Austrian side at Celtic Park, or if RB Leipzig, who are three points behind in third place,  do not win against Rosenborg.

Forrest admits the Killie win was the perfect warm-up for Europe but believes it will take a top-level performance to get through along with Salzburg.

He said: "We know it is going to be a hard game and it will take a big push from everyone and hopefully we get a result on the night.

"We would have taken it being in our own hands going into the last game.

"It is going to take a real push. We know Salzburg are a top side and everyone is going to be at it on the night to make sure we get through.

"Everyone is going to have to put in a big performance to make sure we get through."

After beating Hibernian and Livingston in their previous two games, Killie boss Steve Clarke put the Celtic defeat into context.

He said: "Six points from three games is still a good week for us.

"People can't forget that and I said to the players not to forget that either.

"We still have four games to go (until the winter break) and I've said to the boys if we can pick up as many points as possible from that then we can go into the winter break satisfied with the first half of the season. "

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000097227581
2RangersRangers000068353366
3Hibernian000054411353
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd00004140150
5Aberdeen00004549-450
6St Mirren00004554-941
Relegation Group
1Hearts00004344-140
2Motherwell00003756-1939
3Kilmarnock00003858-2035
4Ross County00003356-2335
5Dundee00005071-2134
6St Johnstone00003358-2529
 
First Phase
1Celtic33263497227581
2RangersRangers33206768353366
3Hibernian331411854411353
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd33148114140150
5Aberdeen33148114549-450
6St Mirren33125164554-941
7Hearts33117154344-140
8Motherwell33116163756-1939
9Kilmarnock3398163858-2035
10Ross County3398163356-2335
11Dundee3397175071-2134
12St Johnstone3385203358-2529


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