One of the most satisfying moments of the game at the weekend came when James Forrest took to the pitch to make his 500th appearance for the club. A lot of fans don’t realise that we are watching one of Celtic’s all-time great footballers whenever that boy is on the field, but it is a fact. His place in history will be as illustrious as anyone who has ever pulled on the shirt. It’s time everyone recognised his immense contribution over the years.
I can’t believe this guy still has doubters or critics, and I write that as a penitent in this regard because I have, in my time, written some harsh things about Forrest, although not for a long time. When we were searching for a manager in the aftermath of Ronny’s decision to leave, Forrest looked as if he’d run out of steam. He wanted away. He thought he had no future here, and with his contract running down, I couldn’t see him staying.
I also thought he was lazy and underwhelming on the field at times. He’d shown something in years past, but his development had stalled. I called him useless. He never really was, but I think he had given up on life at Celtic, and we weren’t seeing a footballer who had anything to offer the club. And then everything changed.
Not surprisingly, it changed because of Brendan Rodgers. It changed the moment the boss walked through the door. One of the earliest signs was that Forrest almost immediately signed a new deal and made it clear he was recommitting to the club. He had only wanted us to show some purpose and for a manager to inspire him to stay – and Rodgers did.
Not only that, but the boss got the best football of his career out of him, and it was in the years that followed that James Forrest truly established his legend and started to leave an indelible mark on the club and its history. Under Rodgers, he was transformed, becoming an even better player than he had been before. The goals and assists started; three consecutive seasons where he scored in double digits, making himself critical to the side.
500 appearances now. Over 100 assists. Over 100 goals. Only two other players in our whole history have done that: Jimmy Johnstone and Henrik Larsson. That’s the exalted company Forrest is in here; that is the measure of his accomplishments.
How much longer can he keep going? Christ, he plays like he’s still in his 20s, and if you’ve ever seen him up close, you know he’s super fit. The modern player can last well into his 30s if he keeps himself in shape, and this boy certainly does that. He could be at Celtic for another couple of years; he certainly doesn’t seem to want to play anywhere else.
His contract ends at the end of this campaign though, and there’s a distinct possibility that he’s in his final months at the club. If he does go, he will leave with the thanks and acclaim of everyone ringing in his ears, and he is more than entitled to it. I have loved watching the guy these last seven or eight years; he has been a magnificent servant to Celtic, and to hear that ovation for him at the weekend was truly excellent. Few players have deserved it more.
Could not agree more, James.
My son and I watch in bewilderment at some of the fans attitudes towards wee Jamesy.
He’ll be very much missed when he leaves and, shamefully, only then.
One of my current favourites and has been for many, many years.
Totally agree. I still think he is a superb player – incredibly clever and his movement for 1-2s and finishing with the outside of his boot is up with the best. Love that Bhoy!
Excellent assessment and appraisal there James Forrest of…. JAMES FORREST !!!
Glad that he got the chance to contribute to a footballing masterclass in that massacre of Sevco on Sunday !
Lang ma his lum reek – To coin an old Scots phrase !
Fair play to Jamesie. Not many players can claim over 500 appearances for Celtic. He has joined a special band of brothers.
Hail Hail.
Run Forrest Run….!
Totally agree with everything u just wrote about Jamsey , I only said to my lad at the game Sunday Brendan had turned him around , he looks as excited now playing as he did when he was a kid , hopefully a new deal is offered he definitely deserves 1 .
Did the G/B not know it was James’’s 500…….in my opinion they missed a trick for one of the best .
Maybe they’ll have a tifo of a pair of green levis 501s for his next game , HA.
Plenty of life left in shooders , new contract?
Ahm repeatin this, tho his contribution towards us winnin last seasons league can’t be undermined. Played a crucial part in that title run in. Deserves all the plaudits he gets.
Wonder if his favourite English team (and yours as well James) is… Nottingham FORREST !!!
Fully agree,James deserves full acclaim and the status of legend
Understated, 100% committed/talented servant of our Club. Happy to set up others for them to take the limelight, a real team player. James is a rare footballer & has given more to Celtic than some of the badge-kissers who have come & gone. Desperate for him to get a goal this Season !
We will miss him when he’s not here…thank you James ??
Totally agree James,Mr Forrest the footballer is or will be a Celtic legend, fantastic character,wears his heart on his sleeve,loves playing for Celtic.
James was always a good player and I always defended him against the ill informed criticism he received. Too many people judged him on what he did not do well (tackling, snarling aggression etc;), inventing criticisms (never tracks back, won’t beat a man on the outside &, dare I say it, laziness) and not on what he could do and did do.
He was a good player before Brendan arrived- that’s why he got a contract renewal. Brendan only made 2 adjustments to James game- 1) He had him slow down for his crossing- the stand up delivery became much more evident and fewer over hits on the cross & 2) He looked after his hamstrings better and stopped the previous managerial habit of continuing to play him when he was injured (as Ronny did in the Legia game. Therefore, he stayed fit and available for longer and the sicknote charge against him disappeared.
We eat our own sometime when they become established. Mikey Johnston, who also had a lot missing from his game, is going to be appreciated by fans in England than he was here. Money has tempted players like Ben Doak and Danny Kelly, but we have given more abuse to those who stayed and were/are loyal servants of the club.
I hope we are a bit more understanding and patient with our next breakthrough home grown player. James can manage fine without a song from the terraces; his place in our history books is secure.
This guy has definitely been a great servant for Celtic. Some great players have came and went juring his time in paradise but he’s stayed the juration unlike Jota and Abada. James Forrest has been one of Celtic’s most aggressive and potent wingers scoring a lot of goals along the way. He makes things happen everytime he’s on the park. We’ll miss this guy when he hangs his boots up for the last time. Lets hope we have him for a while yet.