Candid James Forrest has his say on Steve Clarke’s use of Celtic star at Euro 2024

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Euro 2024 helped give the Celtic fans a welcome distraction from the boredom of pre-season after four players were taken on the trip to Germany.

Callum McGregor, Greg Taylor, Anthony Ralston and James Forrest were all taken to the tournament and hopes were high that Scotland could make it out of the group stages for the first time in their history.

However, defeats to Germany and Hungary and a draw against Switzerland consigned Steve Clarke’s side to yet another tournament failure leaving the Scotland fans deeply frustrated and angry.

But the fans were not the only ones who were frustrated as one Celtic player revealed how he really felt about not making an appearance in the big summer tournament.

James Forrest ‘frustrated’ at Euro 2024 snub

With Scotland needing a win or even a draw against the Hungarians, James Forrest was the ideal person to play to get something from that game and ensure progression to the last 16.

However, Clarke kept him on the bench and Scotland went crashing out and here, the Celtic winger tells how he now feels about the summer experience.

Forrest said [Daily Record print edition page 72], “It was a class end to the season at Celtic and then to top it by getting called up.

“I hadn’t been involved with Scotland for a few years and the Gibraltar game was my first cap in three years.

“Any player should be frustrated at not playing. I’m no different. I think maybe more so in the last game.

“I know the manager has set the boys up and they did really well to qualify.

“You understand that. But you always want to be involved and to help.

“It was a really good experience getting called up and being part of the Euros. But you are a footballer at the end of the day – you want to play.

“It would have been good if I was involved. It’s fair to say I was gutted, frustrated and so on. If we’d qualified from the group I would have been buzzing to be part of it.

“You just feel like you could have helped but it wasn’t to be.

“It was kind of similar to how it was at Celtic back in January or February when I wasn’t playing but felt I could contribute.

“In football, you have to take your chance when you get it.”

Unfortunately, Forrest didn’t get that chance and at 33, you would have to imagine that his next chance for Scotland is unlikely to come along again.

Forrest already has 38 caps for his country. If it was up to me, I would like to see him leave his Scotland career behind and focus solely on what he can offer Celtic and Brendan Rodgers for the next couple of seasons.