Over his 13-year career at Celtic, James Forrest has had a phenomenal impact on the club’s success over that period. With over 100 goals and over 100 assists, there are many moments in the Celtic winger’s tenure that have had a huge impact on the clubs achievements.
Forrest has appeared for Celtic on more than 450 occasions both domestically and on the European scene. Out of all his goals, I have picked three that I think have had the biggest impact on Celtic’s history.
Now, there were many to choose from. I could have opted for where it all began in 2010. His goal-scoring debut against Motherwell is where it all started after all.
Or I could have chosen the winning goal against St Johnstone in the League Cup semi-final in 2021 that started the era of Ange Postecoglou’s domination of Scottish football. Clearly, I have chosen neither. So here are my top three:
Motherwell 0 v 2 Celtic: 2017 League Cup Final
Forrest opened the scoring for Celtic on the 49th minute against Motherwell. The Celtic winger scored a curling shot into the corner of the Steelmen’s goal and it set Brendan Rodgers on course to defend the treble he had won the previous season.
But what makes this cup win so significant is that this was the first time Celtic had won four trophies in a row since the Jock Stein era.
So as well as starting the course for the historic Double Treble, Forrest’s opener helped create another special piece of Celtic history.
Celtic 2 v 1 Rangers: 2019 SPFL Glasgow Derby
A goal against Rangers is always special. But what makes James Forrest’s 86th-minute winner that little bit more pleasing is that it effectively sealed the title and Celtic’s Treble Treble.
On a day when Alfredo Morelos was shown a red card for an elbow on Scott Brown, Forrest’s winner meant that Celtic went 13 points ahead in the league and ended Steven Gerrard’s hopes of stopping Neil Lennon’s men continue their domination of Scottish football.
Lazio 1 v 2 Celtic: 2019 Europa League group stage
Although this win didn’t help go towards winning any silverware, it did still have a huge significance on Celtic’s history in Europe.
James Forrest‘s first-half goal cancelled out Ciro Immobile’s seventh-minute opener after what looked like was going to be a tough night in Rome for Celtic.
Olivier Ntcham sealed the win with his 95th-minute chip which helped Celtic qualify from the Europa League with two games to spare and eventually went on to top the group.
It was also the first time Celtic recorded a European win in Italy which is a landmark within itself.
Celtic are set to honour James Forrest in a testimonial match tonight against Athletic Club at Paradise. No one can deny the Hoops legend is not worthy of the occasion.
In other news, Athletic Club continue their Celtic education ahead of James Forrest’s testimonial
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