Reds past, present and future celebrated on another fine night in Europe

RETURNING MIRACLE MEN WILL HAVE APPROVED OF DISPLAY IN WIN OVER MALMO

- By SARAH CLAPSON

IT was an important win wrapped up in nods to Nottingham Forest's glorious past as Malmo were beaten 3-0 Trentside on Thursday night.

This was a celebration of the club's history as a repeat of the 1979 European Cup final saw the Miracle Men honoured. It made for a thoroughly special occasion at the City Ground as a fitting tribute was paid to Brian Clough's storied side.

But this game was also about the here and now. The Reds' achievements under Clough will never be matched, but the current team have their own designs on making waves on the continent.

Fullback Neco Williams set out only a few weeks ago how Sean Dyche's men want to triumph in the Europa League. Three points against their Swedish opponents took Forest to 16th in the standings and boosted their chances of making the playoffs stage of the tournament.

Ryan Yates, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Nikola Milenkovic netted the goals to make it three victories on the spin in all competitions. Below, we look at some of the big talking points from the game.

ACADEMY TALENT

On a night when the Reds delighted in their success of 46 years ago, it was entirely fitting that a player woven into the very fabric of the club opened the scoring. Yates is the modern-day Mr Forest.

He epitomises so much of what it is to wear the shirt, and to do so with pride. He is at the very heart of this Garibaldi generation.

His first European goal was one to savour. He already had goals in the top five divisions of the English pyramid to his name, and now has one at another level to add to that collection.

More obscurely, he has now scored on every day of the week for the Reds. "I didn’t know that, but fair play," Dyche grinned when that stat was put to him by TNT Sports.