Michael Stewart hails Celtic star who ‘doesn’t play often’ but has stepped up when ‘needed’

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Celtic fans will still be celebrating the League Cup triumph over Rangers at Hampden on Sunday.

One thing is for sure, the fans and coaching staff were put through every emotion possible, but at the end of it all, it was elation and relief when Daizen Maeda’s winning penalty hit the back of the net.

When Celtic were 1-0 down at the break, there was a sense of ‘what’s happening here?’ because the team just weren’t at it and the performance was seriously lacking.

But five goals were scored from both teams in a manic second-half and that then led to extra-time before penalties were taken.

This is Brendan Rodgers’ second spell as Celtic manager and that probably tops it all, in terms of what he would have gone through on the touchline and what he would have witnessed.

Another individual who is in that same boat is James Forrest, with the 33-year-old coming on in extra-time for Nicolas Kuhn, and has now won trophy number 25 in Celtic colours.

Michael Stewart lauds James Forrest’s ‘unbelievable’ Celtic career

Forrest is a one-club man and, unless he opts for a new adventure in a few years time, you suspect that he will end his career at his boyhood club.

From that fresh-faced teenager over a decade ago to that experienced head in 2024, it has been some journey for the winger and Michael Stewart was lauding the career he has had.

Stewart explained how Forrest stepped up for Celtic last season when the team ‘needed’ some life in the wide areas and how he ‘isn’t playing as often’ now, as he told Premier Sports (15/12/24 at 6:40 pm).

“Last season, when at times, they were on the ropes Celtic, he came into the team and it was around the time when Brendan Rodgers said that ‘he is the best wide man who is still at the club’,” said Stewart.

“They were needing experience. They were needing players to come in and really put in performances, and he did that. They were needing it big time.

“The team is fairly settled now and he isn’t playing as often, but the career he has had at Celtic is quite incredible. 25 winner’s medals, is it?! Unbelievable.”

What Forrest said after Celtic’s penalty shootout win over Rangers

Forrest will soon become Celtic’s most decorated player and he is now level with Bobby Lennox on trophy number 25.

With the Bhoys holding a nine-point lead at the top of the Premiership table, you expect the record-breaking trophy to be the league title itself.

Moments after the shootout win over Rangers, Forrest shared how he was ‘delighted’ for his teammates and that record-equaling trophy.

“Delighted,” responded Forrest on how he is feeling. “Just buzzing for the boys. All the work they have put in and all the staff. Then, obviously, to the fans and how much it means to them as well. Just absolutely delighted.

On equal with Lennox: “Oh, it’s unbelievable. When you are older, you really don’t take it for granted at all.

“All the names up there, it’s amazing to be involved in that. But it just comes down to how good the team has been over the years and it has been so successful.”