“This season is one of the ones I’ve enjoyed the most,” James Forrest

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·4 de diciembre de 2024

“This season is one of the ones I’ve enjoyed the most,” James Forrest

James Forrest insists he is ‘enjoying’ playing a role in Celtic’s successful season thus far ahead of a top of the table clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie tonight…

James Forrest at Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

Having made an impressive 19 appearances this season, Forrest still has a major role to play under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers, and the veteran winger’s experience, especially as Celtic closed in on three in a row in May, has proven to be vital for the continuous success at the club which does not go unnoticed.

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The Hoops legend penned a two-year deal with his boyhood club 10 days ago meaning he is set for 16 years of Celtic service by the time his contract expires.

As a one-club man, Forrest has immersed himself into hero status registering 519 appearances in 14 years, scoring 109 goals and adding 108 assists during that timeframe.

James Forrest . Hearts v Celtic, 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The 33 year-old can also break records if he adds goals and trophies to his incredible haul. Forrest currently sits joint-fourth in Celtic’s all-time list of scorers in successive seasons [15]. Should he net in this campaign, he would move onto 16 consecutive seasons putting him joint-third place alongside club legends Jimmy McGrory and Paul McStay.

Accumulating a staggering 24 major honours, Celtic’s longest serving player can become the club’s most decorated player alongside the immortal Bobby Lennox [25] should Brendan Rodgers’ side defeat theRangers at Hampden Park in the Premier Sports Cup final next Sunday.

However, before then, a trip to Pittodrie awaits, and Forrest and his teammates have the chance to go seven points clear of their nearest title challengers with a win.

Idah, Forrest and Yang. Hearts v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Tynecastle. 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Winless in their last three, Aberdeen have hit a sticky patch for the first time under new boss Jimmy Thelin, and tonight feels like the perfect time to take advantage of the Dons recent woes.

Speaking to the media at yesterday’s press conference, James Forrest praised both Aberdeen’s start to the season, and the attacking intent Celtic have shown since the beginning of pre-season.

“They’ve done really well [Aberdeen] this season, they’ve got a good squad as well,” he said. “Obviously the game at Celtic Park was tight. In the cup game I think we were just really good, but it’s going to be a good game tomorrow and one we are really looking forward to.”

“We’ve had a couple of international breaks, which has maybe given a checkpoint, but in December and January you are really going to need the squad, and with the amount of international players and how strong the squad is, that’s good for everyone.”

Forrest explained: “The manager has talked about the last couple of months of the season last year and when we went into pre-season, we just kind of kicked on, and in the squad as a whole, the new signings have helped with that as well.”

James Forrest at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.

“Personally, I feel this season is one of the ones I’ve enjoyed the most – being a part of it and playing. And obviously it helps with how successful the team’s been and how well the team is playing as well.”

Kick off for tonight’s encounter between the top two is 8:00 and will be shown live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event. For supporters outside Britain and Ireland, Celtic TV will be covering the match. COYBIG!

Conor Spence