James Forrest is heading towards playing his entire career in Celtic colours.
The 33-year-old first kicked off his career for Celtic in 2010, and since then, from Neil Lennon to Brendan Rodgers, he has dominated, wowed the crowd and won trophies galore.
It’s not the norm for the modern footballer to represent one club throughout their career and that for a club the size of Celtic.
But after Forrest signed a new contract at Parkhead, he is now heading down that road and also doing the inevitable.
Bobby Lennox is Celtic’s most decorated player, but with Forrest one trophy behind, there is every chance he should and will surpass the European Cup winner this season.
If Celtic beat Rangers in the League Cup final on December 15, then he goes level with Lennox on 25 trophies and his 26th could be the league title itself.
James Forrest plays down surpassing Bobby Lennox as Celtic’s most decorated player
There is an argument to be made that Forrest is one of Celtic’s most undervalued and underrated players of the modern era.
And he certainly adds to that given how he responds to questions about breaking such a historical and monumental feat.
Forrest shared that it’s ‘unbelievable’ to think that he is heading down such a road, but claimed that he played a ‘small part’ in it, as he told Celtic’s Media press conference.
The Scotland international is doing himself an injustice here and needs to realise that he has played a far bigger role than he thinks.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Forrest on being in the same sentence as Lennox and winning 24 trophies. “I think when you hear stats like that, it’s amazing. All the sacrifices you make to play here and there have been so many highs I have had here.
“I might only have a couple of years left. I don’t know how long I have left. I just need to make sure that I really enjoy it and once I finish, then I can really look back on the stuff I achieved with the club.
On going past Bobby’s record: “I think, most importantly, it means that the club is successful. I have been here so long. It’s the only team I have been at. I think, because of the success of them, that’s why I have maybe been here for so long. If the club wasn’t winning trophies and doing well, then I probably wouldn’t have been here for as long as I have, so just playing that small part, it’s made me manage to win the amount of trophies I have. I have been involved in so many good squads, managers and staff as well.”
Forrest’s trophies compared to Lennox
As mentioned above, Forrest is on 24 trophies, but he has a current player – captain Callum McGregor – breathing down his neck.
McGregor has won 22 trophies, and given that he is 31 and two years younger than the winger, then there is every chance he could, one day, become Celtic’s most decorated footballer himself.
But as of this moment, it’s Forrest on 24 trophies and the iconic Lennox on 25.
Forrest’s trophy haul:
- Scottish League – x12
- Scottish Cup – x7
- Scottish League Cup – x5
Lennox’s trophy haul
- European Cup – x1
- Scottish League – x11
- Scottish Cup – x8
- Scottish League Cup – x5
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