Boyd’s Unfiltered Praise for Forrest and Critique of Aberdeen
There aren’t many Scottish football pundits who shoot straighter than Kris Boyd. After Celtic’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie on May 14, Boyd wasted no time pulling apart what he saw. His blunt assessment gave credit where credit was due—and heavy criticism where it was needed.
James Forrest, Celtic’s experienced winger, was Boyd’s main talking point. Boyd described Forrest as someone who “does the right thing every day in training.” He didn’t just mean showing up, but actually attacking the drills, pushing himself, and focusing on the kind of details that turn training-ground form into real match influence. Forrest’s disciplined approach, according to Boyd, is exactly why he produced a standout performance on the pitch that night.
This Celtic-Aberdeen clash never looked close. Forrest played like a man who trains as if every session matters, confidently directing attacks and making the correct decisions again and again when it mattered most. Boyd underscored Forrest’s lasting professionalism, saying it’s rare to find someone so committed to the basics—not just during matches, but every single day behind the scenes. For younger Celtic squad members or rising Scottish talents, Forrest’s work ethic is a template they’d do well to follow.
Aberdeen’s Collapse and Boyd’s Brutal Appraisal
But the other side of the story was, frankly, ugly. While Celtic looked organised and sharp, Aberdeen offered up what Boyd called an “embarrassing” and “spineless” performance. And he wasn’t simply referring to their defensive positioning or tactical breakdowns—he meant attitude. Celtic’s dominance got a helping hand because Aberdeen’s players, in Boyd’s view, seemed to lack fight or the will to claw their way back into the fixture at any point.
Boyd pushed deeper than just the stats, painting a picture of a team that had lost its spirit long before the final whistle. Tactical discipline vanished as Celtic poured forward, and the Dons’ collapse wasn’t just about talent gaps—it was their response to adversity. The gulf between Forrest’s relentless approach at Celtic and the body language from Aberdeen’s squad could hardly have been wider. Pittodrie, normally a place that echoes with home support, felt flat as frustrations mounted in the stands and on the touchline.
This result isn’t just another mark in the win/loss column. Boyd’s remarks suggest it should serve as a wake-up call for Aberdeen, both in terms of pride and preparation. Teams that want to challenge at the top have to show more than technical skill—they need character and resilience, the very qualities that Forrest quietly brings to Celtic day after day.
