James Forrest

He deserves a good turn out.

 

I assume because we were supposed to be in Korea the week before it had to be the Tuesday after ?

Hopefully get's a good crowd, he deserves it.

 

We all know what happened in season 2016/17 with the arrival of Brendan Rodgers and what that kick-started - the Invincible season plus FIVE Trebles and 17 trophies since then in unprecedented success as the Invincibles very quickly became the Inevitables such was the tranche of silverware success

The honour of scoring the very first goal on the way to such domestic bliss was James Forrest against Hearts at Tynecastle on August 8, 2016.

It was in the eighth minute that Forrest sent the ball curling beyond Jack Hamilton with a left-foot shot to pave the way for a historic 2-1 win – little did we know then what was to follow.

And now, exactly seven years following that goal, Brendan Rodgers’ first game back at Paradise this coming season will be in the James Forrest Testimonial against Basque side, Athletic Club, with the La Liga side making the trip from Bilbao for the event.

The Hoops boss said: “James has been an absolutely brilliant ambassador and player for the club.

"I think that sometimes when you come through the system you maybe don’t quite get the accolades of some others, but when you play the number of games he has for Celtic, win the trophies that he’s won and still be as humble as he is, that’s a great testament to James and the type of person he is.

‘He was absolutely brilliant for me in my first time here, a very important member of the squad and he will be that again this time.’

“So I really hope for his testimonial game we get as many people there as we can, because you won’t see it too many times in the modern game – someone being at the club for so long.

“I think he’s worthy of getting that stadium full, and hopefully we can do that and that will be a great thing from every Celtic supporter and fan to him. And I think he’ll have a really good impact for us this season as well and going forward.”

James Forrest will go down as one of the most decorated Celts of all time, the one club man has lifted 11 League titles, six Scottish Cups and five League Cups. Having joined the Youth Academy in 2002 and making his first team debut in 2010, James has over 450 appearances for the Hoops and over 100 goals.

His well-deserved testimonial will take place at Celtic Park on August 1, tickets for the match between Celtic and Athletic Club are on General Sale now.

 

Still waiting on 5 tickets (hospitality) for this, I thought they would have been sent out by now.

Anyone else having the same scenario ?

 

HE might have been reduced to the role of bit-part Bhoy for much of last season.

But James Forrest insists he is hungrier than ever to add to his Celtic trophy haul.




Forrest, 32, didn’t get the chance to play 90 minutes every week under ex-boss Ange Postecoglou.

But there was no strop or fall-out — the winger sees the bigger picture as he heads towards the tail end of an incredible career.

It’s now 11 league titles, six Scottish Cups and five League Cups for Forrest, and he intends to make the most of every silverware success he adds to that.

He said: “It’s been incredible for me. I’ve seen players come to Celtic later in their careers when they haven’t won any trophies


People ask me if it was frustrating not playing as much as I would have liked last season.

“But they have to realise I’m older now. I have played a lot of games throughout my whole career, and won a lot of trophies.

“It’s been a really good career. I want to keep playing as much as I can, and it’s hard weighing everything up sometimes, but being at this club has been unbelievable.

“I’ve never got blase about that, about winning trophies and picking up medals.



“Sometimes the press guys tell me that I’ve reached a particular milestone, or achieved something, and it’s always good to hear.

“I’m never thinking about that sort of thing. But when someone mentions something then I stop and think about how unbelievable it is.

“When you get older you realise how hard it is being at a club like Celtic.

“It’s quite scary to think how long I’ve been here now.

“Coming through the youth team, too, you are always expected to win. Then when you do that, it’s like, ‘How many did you win by?’.


That’s the mentality and how you’re brought up.

“So it’s like you always feel you need to keep winning and striving for more. Also, when you don’t win one of the trophies it also makes you appreciate the ones you do.”

One thing Forrest didn’t do last season was chap on Postecoglou’s door.

Probably because the aloof Aussie might not have answered it.

Forrest added: “Every manager is different. The last gaffer was different in his way, but then you knew where you stood.

“You knew what was going on and just had to work hard in training.

“He wasn’t really the type of manager you could go and chap his door. You just had to keep working hard in training and that was fine.



But I felt involved last season. I maybe didn’t start as many games as I would have wanted to, but we have so many good players and the team was flying.

“I felt I did contribute at times when I was picked. And I definitely felt like I learned under him.

“I enjoyed the last two years and took so many positives from that time.

“If you ask any player, they will always say they would liked to have played more.



I was fit for the first half of the season right up until February time and felt involved.

“I just didn’t start as much as I’d have liked, and that as was a bit frustrating.

“But the team was winning and flying and I had to wait for a chance.

“That opportunity didn’t come a lot for me because the players ahead of me were doing so well.

“But the feeling was good among the team and it was still great being a part of it.”




Forrest considered quitting Celts only once, ironically just before Brendan Rodgers took over as boss first time around. But it was only a brief thought that entered his head.

He said: “Maybe in my head the most uncertainty I’ve had was when the gaffer now was coming in to the club the first time.

“But then within a week I knew there was no questions on my side.

“I knew what I wanted and it wasn’t just me, either. There were other boys at that time who raised their game, and he got a lot out of them. He really brought everyone’s potential out of them. So with that in mind, I think it’s really good for the young boys here now that the gaffer has come back.

“Everyone did really well under the last manager, obviously. But there are a few of them who can kick on again now, and that’s great for the club.



I’ve had a few managers down the years, but this gaffer is just brilliant at the man-management side of the game. Tactically, he’s fantastic as well.

“He’s just a top manager all round, and he makes you feel good about yourself.

“He knows everyone’s qualities and makes the boys really believe in themselves.

“And it’s not just at Celtic where he’s done that.

“So the boys who haven’t worked with him before will find it’s really good.



Forrest insists Rodgers won’t give him any special favours now, though, and that’s just fine by him.

He added: “You can’t think like that. As much as he knows me, he’s going to do what’s best for the team.”

Forrest now has a testimonial match against Athletic Bilbao next Tuesday to look forward to, but the idea of being celebrated by supporters doesn’t come easy for a humble and quiet man like him.

He said: “It’s going to be a great occasion. It will be class for my family, too.



I’m looking forward to it, but at the same time I’m also looking forward to when it’s done! Not many players are fortunate enough to get a testimonial these days

 

Yes, we are exactly the same, awaiting 2 tickets for hospitality.

 

Was hoping he'd bow out on a high..

Doesn't sound like it..

 

For a guy at 31 thats been here since he was 9, and has won 20 medals in his time, I'm guessing sitting on the bench most of last season isnt his idea of bowing out on a high

 

I mean bowing out a treble winner..

He isn't gonna get much more game time this season that's for sure..

 

Doubt he signed a new 3 year deal last season to chuck it after a year.

Think he'll suprise folk this season with number of appearances he'll make under a manager who rates him.

And again he's 31 not 34/35 he's hardly over the hill as people seem to think

 

I suspect that had a lot to do with the home-grown quota. Bit long for my liking but we did the same with Bain..

I doubt he'll play much..

He's 31 but noticeably lost most of his pace which isn't ideal for a winger like him. Has a lot of wear and tear down the years as well and quite a few injuries over the last year or so again..

 

Homegrown qouta situation hasn't changed tho if anything it's probably worse than last season so that problem still exists so dont see why people think we'd be looking to move him on.

 

Someone at the club gets paid to work it all out. I'd rather the club look for quality options over guys who won't feature..

Whether we promote a youngster like Vata and don't loan him out or find someone homegrown to bring in who's better fro elsewhere..

Forrest won't add much to us next season. Most already know that though..

 

We'll see but willing to bet he'll offer more than Vata

 

Aye because Vata will likely go on loan..

 

Aye bcoz manager has said he's got a lot of development to do. So clearly doesn't think he's ready to be part of the 1st team squad

 

Ok mate..

 

Ur the one calling for him to be in the squad mate.

You most know more than the manager

 

Ok mate..