Playing alongside Calmac and Jamesy an absolute honour for Celtic star

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The Celtic Star

·23 de abril de 2025

Playing alongside Calmac and Jamesy an absolute honour for Celtic star

Alistair Johnston has revealed that he feels incredibly lucky to share a pitch with James Forrest and Callum McGregor…

Callum McGregor of Celtic celebrates with teammate James Forrest after scoring his team’s first goal during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final match between St Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Both Scottish talents are the DNA of Celtic Football Club and without them, it would be a markedly different place from the one in which we have all come to know and love. For sure, importing talent always has its place, but to have players from your own academy lead the way and win trophies, well nothing else comes close.

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James Forrest is fast-approaching becoming the most decorated Celt of all time

James Forrest is fast-approaching becoming the most decorated Celt in history, a sensational achievement and one which both he and his family should be immensely proud of. Recently James equalled the great Bobby Lennox on 25 major honours and that in of itself is something grandiose and forever special to anyone with a modicum of sense about them. But now he’s got the chance to be out in front and when the Bhoys lift the Scottish Premiership, that will become a reality.

Callum McGregor .St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The long and winding road of another season is coming to it’s conclusion now and Alistair Johnston reckons that now is the time for both he and his teammates to fly to that finish line. Speaking to the Official Celtic Podcast, he said: “It’s crunch time and we have to dial it up just one more gear. We want to sprint through that finish line and make sure we end the season holding the silverware. We are in a great position and it’s been an unbelievable season, now it’s time to go and earn our money.

“Let’s go and get them over the line and make this season a really special one in terms of Celtic history.”

“Let’s go and get them over the line and make this season a really special one in terms of Celtic history. We know what’s at stake and we know it won’t be easy, nothing will be handed to us. But at the same time, when we look around the changing room, we feel pretty confident with what we have. If we bring our ‘A’ game and do what we know we can, we feel that come the end of May we can be a happy bunch.”

James Forrest. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

When it comes to the aforementioned legend Forrest, Johnston revealed that he’s joked with the Scot about when his statue will be going up on the Celtic Way. “James’ achievements might get lost due to his humility and quieter nature,” AJ said.

“He’s not in the media spotlight a lot and is never really looking for the camera.”

“He’s not in the media spotlight a lot and is never really looking for the camera. But wow… two more trophies to become the most decorated Celtic player? He’s a living legend and I always joke with James and say, ‘where do you want the statue — Lennoxtown or Celtic Park?’

“But in all seriousness, he may very well get a statue for that career that he’s had. To think about the history of this club, the players who have come through it and the success that it’s had, to have a chance to go down as the most decorated is an amazing achievement. I hope that we can all get this done — not only for the club, but for James.”

Callum McGregor of Celtic inspects the pitch prior to the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final match between St Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“In 20 years, people will say, ‘I watched James Forrest play live’.

The Canadian intentional continued: “What a way to leave a legacy on a club – a Scottish kid who grew up just down the road, that would be a heck of an achievement. Not just for James, but for the entire fanbase – in 20 years, people will say, ‘I watched James Forrest play live’. You can tell all your children and grandchildren what it was like to see him.

“He’s just an unbelievable player. You can’t forget how good a footballer he is, I see it in training and on the pitch. He provides something different and to have that longevity, in that position, at a big club is really impressive. Along with Callum McGregor, he is a club legend and I have been lucky enough to share a pitch with them.”

Paul Gillespie

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