James Forrest’s Celtic longevity is a rare breed in the modern day as he continues to be a dependable option for Brendan Rodgers on the flanks.
The Scotland international has over 100 goals and 100 assists for the Bhoys, with four from the latter category coming in 13 appearances this term.
Despite his place among the Parkhead elite, veteran James Forrest’s Celtic contract is set to expire next summer, but he isn’t looking too far ahead amid tasks to come across the campaign.
He stated: “I’ve been asked about that a few times but right now I am just concentrating on being involved with the team. I am enjoying it as much as I ever have and I’m just focusing on the here and now.”
Ultimately, that is a decision for Forrest and Celtic to arrive at in their own time. However, his place in Bhoys’ royalty will be safeguarded regardless of the outcome.
With the homegrown star only two trophies off surpassing Bobby Lennox as the club’s most decorated player, former Hoops man John Hartson has delivered his verdict on where he ranks among other Hoops icons.
John Hartson on James Forrest’s Celtic legacy
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Hartson believes Forrest’s ‘unbelievable’ Celtic contribution has put him in legend territory, even if competition such as Henrik Larsson and Paul McStay may be tough for him to topple.
He explained: “Don’t get me wrong, this is no disrespect to James Forrest. He will never go down as a Dalglish or a Paul McStay; he’s won all these trophies. He certainly goes down as a Celtic legend and he will hold that record where so many unbelievable players have represented Celtic, you go on about McStay, Johnstone, Billy McNeil, the greatest for me in the European Cup captain.
“There are hundreds like Henrik Larsson. James will never be considered as one of them, but he’ll be considered as an absolute legend and he’ll be respected for the trophies that he’s won.
“Remarkable, he’s got 100 goals and 100 assists, I don’t even think there’s a Celtic player that comes near that, so there’s one unbelievable record that he’s got, and he still looks fit. He still looks fit and he’s got a couple of years left in him for me.
“When Brendan gave him a contract a couple of years ago, a few people questioned that. How much is he going to play? They thought maybe, is he signing a contract with a view to selling him where they might get more money in the transfer market for him.
“He’s come back in, he’s reinvented himself again, really important last season to Celtic in terms of the late goals he scored towards the end of the season, he became a real big player for them.”
James Forrest still has a role to play at Celtic
Before getting into the semantics of where Forrest features on the list of Celtic greats, the 33-year-old will only have future challenges on his mind as achieving more silverware remains at the forefront of his mind.
Taking Hartson’s comments in isolation, he is right to point out the level of sharpness the veteran has carried over the last few months, making him a reliable option for Brendan Rodgers to pitch in off the bench or as a starter.
While his long-term future remains up in the air, rest assured, he will turn up when needed for Celtic to deliver decisive moments in the final third, otherwise known as his specialty.
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