Sebastian Tounekti’s comments about James Forrest say a lot about why the winger still matters so much at Celtic. Forrest may no longer start every week, but his influence inside the club clearly remains enormous.
Tounekti’s praise did not focus on Forrest’s goals or appearances. Instead, he highlighted his mentality, humility and professionalism.
For a new arrival to immediately recognise Forrest’s value says everything about the standards he still sets behind the scenes at Celtic.
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James Forrest is still setting the standard at Celtic
Speaking about the veteran winger, Tounekti said: “I’ve studied James and all of the wingers. I’ve learned a lot from him. He’s a great person. He’s so humble. James has won so many trophies here and he’s a big legend at the club. It’s great to work with players like that.”
That matters. Younger players quickly identify who drives standards inside elite dressing rooms and Forrest clearly remains one of those figures at Celtic.
The winger’s influence has already been recognised publicly this season after Callum McGregor highlighted Forrest’s value following his latest deal.
Even with reduced minutes, Forrest still carries authority because of everything he has achieved at the club.
Celtic’s dressing room still revolves around winners like Forrest
Celtic have spent years building squads full of serial winners and Forrest remains one of the clearest examples of that mentality.
Players like Tounekti are arriving into an environment where standards already exist. Forrest has helped create those standards through consistency, professionalism and success over nearly two decades.
That is why his presence still matters despite Celtic evolving their squad repeatedly around him.
Martin O’Neill has consistently praised Forrest’s mentality and reliability over the years, while supporters continue to debate how much football he still has left in him.
The reality is that influence inside a winning dressing room cannot always be measured through starts or statistics alone.
Forrest’s Celtic legacy is impossible to ignore now
There is a reason Tounekti described Forrest as “a big legend at the club”. He has earned that status.
The winger is already recognised as one of the Celtic legends and is now the most decorated player in Celtic history.
Forrest’s longevity is extraordinary in the modern game. He has remained relevant through multiple managers, tactical systems and squad rebuilds.
His recent new Celtic contract also showed the club still see value in keeping him around the first-team environment.
Supporters sometimes focus too heavily on what Forrest no longer is as a player. Comments like Tounekti’s are a reminder of everything he still brings to the club every single day.
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