Martin O’Neill has not just praised James Forrest after Celtic’s win at Hampden against St Mirren. He has pointed towards a decision that now feels obvious.
The interim Hoops boss spoke after Celtic blitzed St Mirren at Hampden in extra-time, where Forrest again played his part. It comes at a time when his future remains unresolved, with his current deal running down.
There is no ambiguity in what O’Neill is saying. He has laid out both the case for keeping Forrest and the reality that it is still possible at Celtic.
🗣️ “I think James would stay for another year.”
Martin O’Neill is keen to see James Forrest sign a new deal with Celtic to see out his career.
His current contract expires this summer.
➡️ https://t.co/VVNJhz2aO3 pic.twitter.com/5iPgBr8QVu
— The Celtic Way (@celticway1888) April 19, 2026
Should Celtic offer James Forrest a contract extension?
Let us know in the comments!
Celtic cannot ignore what James Forrest is still delivering
O’Neill made it clear that Forrest has changed a number of games recently. That is not sentiment, it is a reflection of the impact the Celtic winger still makes in key moments in games.
O’Neill said, “I would like to keep James for one more year at least and so that he could see his career through at the football club.
“I would be asking the board and I think James would stay for another year.
“He’s 34, with just a little burst he’s given us something.
“He has changed a number of games for us. He changed the game at Aberdeen. [Benjamin] Nygren scores the goal, but he came on and changed that.
“We scored from him getting the cross at Rangers as well. So, he’s definitely played a part.”
Pointing directly to how Forrest changed the game at Aberdeen, coming on and shifting the momentum, that is the type of contribution Celtic still rely on.
There was also his role in the goal at Rangers, where his delivery created the moment. These are not isolated incidents, they are big moments in big fixtures that Forrest is still contributing to.
Martin O’Neill has pointed Celtic towards a clear decision
O’Neill did not stop at describing the impact, he went further by stating he would like to keep Forrest for another year. That is a direct call for the Celtic board to act.
He also added that he believes James would stay for another year, removing any sense that this is unrealistic. The pathway is there if the club chooses to take it.
With his contract expiring this summer, the timing makes the decision even clearer. Celtic are not dealing with a long-term projection, they are responding to what is happening now.
Letting Forrest leave now would ignore the evidence in front of them. O’Neill has already laid it out, and it now comes down to whether Celtic follow it.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
