Chris Forrester has been headed towards a Republic of Ireland call-up his whole life.
A proper call-up.
He’s a good player. He’s an honest character. He’s a leader of men.
Back in March, he was included in one of Martin O’Neill’s infamous 96-man preliminary squads but he was soon chopped from it – it was a nice gesture if nothing else but the 23-year-old is fast becoming a footballer that lip service won’t silence.
SHOWBOAT | @ChrisForrester1 With The Filthy Nutmeg #pufc pic.twitter.com/toQZJ7ru59
— Peterborough United (@theposh) October 30, 2016
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that he’s only in his second season at Peterborough United.
His career in England has been fast-tracked so much so that he has already played 22 times this season alone – in three months. The Posh have rejigged their shape throughout this campaign and the Dubliner has had the opportunity to push forward more – that in turn has helped him bang three league goals as the team occupy fifth spot in League One with eyes on promotion.
The club captain is a steady influence around the middle of the park. He’s controlling games, picking passes, upping the tempo and calming it down whenever he bloody well pleases and when he decides to turn it on, you’d be best getting the hell out of his way.
On Saturday evening, in the 90th minute, away at Peterborough’s derby rivals Northampton, Forrester stepped up again.
Chris Forrester in the 90th minute like the leader he is#PUFC pic.twitter.com/S6drtaLHrF
— Conán Doherty (@ConanDoherty) November 21, 2016
And when he speaks afterwards, he speaks with passion and fire.
“I heard a lot about making yourself and legend and stuff so hopefully the fans remember me for a long time for scoring that goal.”
Forrester isn’t the young lad who left the League of Ireland anymore. He isn’t the precocious St. Pat’s talent and no more. He’s a man now. He’s a proper footballer and he’s a proper leader and he speaks with confidence and pure belief.
He speaks with desire and he speaks like a man who is ready for a call-up. A proper one.
He plays like a man who should already be there.
Aaron Kernan joins Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour to explain the work he’s doing for the Club Players Association. Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue talks Slaughtneil and a Dublin club advertising for hurlers gets a sore touch. Subscribe here on iTunes.
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