Whenever James Forrest is reminded of his place in Celtic’s all-time honours list, as he has been regularly over the past few years as he as edged ever upwards in that roll call of club legends, he looks embarrassed to the point of being uncomfortable.
The winger might well be the most modest man in Scottish football, giving off the impression that he would much rather talk about his teammates - or anything else, for that matter - than himself.
But with Celtic on the brink of another title, there is no avoiding it. Ianis Hagi's late, late equaliser for Rangers at Pittodrie on Sunday may have put Celtic celebrations on hold for the timebeing, but it merely delays the inevitable.
Celtic are on Scottish Cup semi final duty this weekend, so it will be the following week at the earliest before they can be confirmed as champions. But when it does happen, Forrest will become the most decorated player in the club’s history, edging ahead of the great Bobby Lennox on 26 major honours.
Forrest won’t indulge in any comparison between himself and the storied names of the past, preferring to highlight his fortune at being part of some great Celtic teams over the years, but there is no disguising his pride at the prospect of collating the largest medal collection of any man who has ever played for the club.
“It’s unbelievable,” Forrest said.
“I think it's nice personally hearing about milestones and stuff like that, but I think it's happened because you've been part of such a really good team over the years, a really good squad, players, staff.
“I actually feel as though the last year, it's maybe not better because I think every one that you win, everyone knows how hard the players and staff have worked hard towards it. But maybe as you're older you actually think about it more and realise what you're doing more.
Read more:
-
Celtic 5 Kilmarnock 1: Champions bounce back in style to close in on title
-
Brendan Rodgers on Celtic complacency, and why a change has got to come
-
Rodgers addresses Nicolas Kuhn form dip as he reveals extent of Yang lay-off
“Maybe when you're young, you're just taking everything on your stride and not really thinking about it. It's just like enjoying playing.
“But I feel as though when you're older, you definitely do think about it more and realise how big a club this is, how much it means to everyone as well. So, I think it doesn't mean more, but you just maybe think about it more.”
Forrest has of course played alongside some of the most gifted individual players in Celtic’s modern history, but he points to one collective quality that all of the best teams he has been involved in have shared as the key to their success.
“I think the changing room has always been good,” he said.
“You'll always get players that start every game and maybe boys that don't play as much. I think I've seen that throughout the years at different stages and I've been in and out as well myself, but I just feel as though we've got a real good core and the players that come in, they buy into it pretty quickly.
“I’d say everyone's really humble. I feel as though maybe the way the coaches are as well. If we win a game, if we win a trophy, you can celebrate it, but you want to do it again and you want to keep going.
“No one's ever really got complacent or thought they're a big deal after winning any trophy. That's been the case through the years.
“I think you've got to [think like that]. I think in football it can change game to game. If you feel as though you had a good game and start swanning about, I think the fans, players, staff, everyone will bring you back down.
“You need to keep working hard to get the moments, to lift the trophies and win cups and win leagues.”
What is also important to Forrest is that while he may no longer be among the first names on the teamsheet, he contributes to any trophies that Celtic do win. He impressed as he came into the starting XI for the first time since late November in the rout of Kilmarnock on Saturday, but has still to find the net this term in his 26 appearances to date.
He has scored in each of his previous 15 seasons as a Celtic player, and he is desperate to keep that run going over the final five games of the campaign, though he isn’t quite at the point of asking manager Brendan Rodgers to be put on penalty duty just yet.
“No, I don't want to get to that stage!” he said.
“Hopefully I can score and hopefully it doesn't get to that stage. As I said, the main thing is getting the league done and having confidence coming into the semi-final and hopefully we do the job then and you can look forward to the [remaining league] games.
“It just shows consistency throughout the years. Obviously, I'm still digging in and keep coming back year after year. If it happens, great. If it doesn't, it's still a good stat up to now.
“Obviously I'll work hard to end the season and hopefully try and contribute, get a goal.”
