James Forrest will be honoured with a Celtic testimonial match later this year against La Liga opposition.
The Hoops' one club man joined the youth academy in 2002 before working his way up the ranks to the top team set up in 2009. During his period at the club to date he has lifted 11 league titles, five Scottish Cups and five League Cups while he was named both Scottish PFA and Scottish Writers' Player of the Year in 2019. He landed both awards in 2012 as a young player alongside the country's top international young player award the same year.
The attacker has scored in 14 successive seasons and over 100 goals for the Scottish champions with a match between the Hoops and Athletic Club from Bilbao now pencilled in, in his honour. Significant proceeds from the game will go to two charities in the shape of Kilbryde Hospice and the Celtic FC Foundation.
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The match will take place on Tuesday, August 1 with a 7.30pm kick-off.
Celtic manager, Ange Postecoglou said: “James has been a hugely important figure to Celtic across so many years, contributing massively to such a sustained period of success for the club and he is really deserving of this great honour.
“Although he has achieved so much he is someone who remains so humble and unassuming, continuing to quietly get on with his job and striving every day to do all he can to bring more and more success to our supporters.
“I am sure this match will be a great occasion for James and the club. It will be our first match back at Celtic Park after the summer break and we hope as many supporters as possible will be able to attend.
“We look forward to welcoming Athletic Club to Glasgow and we are sure they will provide a great test for us, but above all we look forward to a special night, honouring someone who has given us all so much.”
Celtic Chief Executive, Michael Nicholson added via the club website: “We were really pleased to grant James this testimonial match, and we wish him and the Committee all the very best for the game, which we are sure will be a wonderful occasion.
“James has committed himself to Celtic and has delivered success after success to our supporters and our club, for which we are all grateful. James could not be more deserving of this honour and I am sure the match will be a great celebration of his Celtic career.”
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