Hearts legend Henry Smith will spare a thought for the club’s strikers against Fraser Forster this weekend as they bid to overcome a record-breaking run that he has hailed as flawless.
Celtic goalkeeper Forster will break Aberdeen shot-stopper Bobby Clark’s Scottish league record of 1,155 minutes if he manages to avoid conceding a goal within the first 31 minutes of Saturday’s televised clash at Tynecastle.
Former keeper Smith has been mightily impressed with the England internationalist’s form this season and knows the Hearts players will have to be ruthless if they are to find a way past the 25-year-old.
In three meetings with Neil Lennon’s side this season, only midfielder Jason Holt has managed to score past Forster in three defeats, including the 7-0 Scottish Cup thrashing, to Celtic.
Smith reckons Forster has got everything as a goalkeeper.
Smith said: “If the strikers are doing their job, they will have been watching Fraser all season, so they should know all about him.
“But there is not a flaw in his game that I can see just now. He’s playing at the top of his game and his defenders are doing the same.
“Fraser has done exceptionally well and his concentration levels are top notch. He does not have a lot to do and it can be difficult for a keeper to pull off a save when you’re not involved a lot in a game.
“I’ve been impressed with his concentration levels. If you get that wee half chance, you have to take them against a team like Celtic.
“If you don’t, they’ll come back and bury you. The forwards know what they have to do.
“If they get have a chance, they have to take it as they’re up against a really good keeper. It will be hard for us on Saturday they don’t give much away and Fraser does not make a lot of mistakes.”
Forster’s 12 successive Premiership clean sheets have helped Celtic establish a seemingly unassailable lead at the summit but Smith reckons there is no chance of the keeper taking his eye off the ball with the World Cup around the corner.
Smith added: “He has been in the last few squads with England. He is up against Ben Foster and John Ruddy down south to be back-up to Joe Hart because he is the undisputed number one down there.
“He’ll be in their thoughts and he has something to play for, a trip to the World Cup is a footballer’s ultimate dream.”