In typical James Forrest fashion, he ‘wasn’t sure’ about it.
Having been just about convinced to enjoy a moment in the limelight with his own testimonial that he eventually confessed to enjoying, Celtic’s quiet man thought that would be the end of such matters. But that was until the club approached him about unfurling the league flag prior to Saturday’s Premiership opener against Ross County.
“I thought, obviously, everyone was talking about Tuesday,” Forrest started. “And I just thought maybe after that, that was it, the league starting again and focus on that.
“But after, I didn’t take much persuasion. Once the league starts, it’s a great occasion Saturday and I’m honoured to do it.”
A brief exchange at the end of Forrest’s post-match media tour earlier this week, but a moment to sum up why he’s enjoyed such longevity at Celtic. Going quietly about his business year upon year has been the summation of the 31-year-old’s career, it just so happens that business tends to be picking up trophies.
With 22 of them in his own personal collection thus far, it’s little surprise that all he wants to do is look to the next one. Forrest may no longer be first choice at Celtic, but his example as a model of professionalism and consistency is a valuable one to have around the club. There is, after all, more than one way to be a leader.
“You get different types of leaders – maybe some who go in for tackles, motivators, shouters,” said Forrest. “But in your own way, you can motivate and inspire younger players.
“I think all the players that come through here always buy into that. It’s a good place to come through. I think everyone learns that.
“If young boys and new signings do learn from stuff that myself and the older boys do then great.
“That was massive for me when I came through. I was quite quiet back then as well.
“The older boys and the manager at the time rally got me out of my shell.
“That’s really important. It shows good characteristics from older players that they can do that to a younger boy. I know that myself – how much it does impact you.”
Perhaps the most important lesson Forrest can pass on is that basking in success is not permitted for all that long. The winger has the joint third most in Celtic’s history, and could yet overtake Bobby Lennox’s haul of 25 by the time his career is over.
It goes without saying that requires a certain hunger to go again, year after year. Days such as Saturday, when another Premiership crown will be toasted, are the moments everyone remembers, but Forrest knows they are made in the day-to-day efforts behind closed doors at Lennoxtown.
“The way the club is, you win something and everyone celebrates, but then it is onto the next one and it can easily be forgotten if you don’t win one or two in a row,” Forrest said. “So, I think every day, the standards in training and at the club are always high and I have never seen them drop since I have been here.
“I think that’s really important through all the players and staff and everyone involved at the club that the standards are so high all the time.”
You might think picking up medals loses that initial sparkle after a while, but Forrest insists winning again this coming season remains of the utmost importance to him.
“It’s massive because I think there have been times when you have not won a couple and I think it is really hard to win trophies,” he said. “The league is always really difficult and then, obviously, the cup competitions, anything can happen sometimes in quarter finals and semi-finals and stuff like that.
“So it is always really difficult, but I think we have a really good group and everyone keeps striving to win more.”
The return of Brendan Rodgers can only be a good thing for Forrest. He enjoyed the most productive years of his career during the manager’s first spell in charge, scoring 40 of his 101 career goals across those two-and-a-half seasons under the Northern Irishman. Typically, though, Forrest is only concerned with what Rodgers being back could mean for taking the entire squad to another level.
“I just think he is different to other managers that I have had.
“I have had really good managers in the past, but he makes you feel really good about yourself.
“And, tactically, he’s really good as well. I’ve said it a few times in pre-season that I think the younger players will really benefit from having the manager.
“I know it myself and I know loads of boys in the past who have said the same.
“So I think it’s great for the team to kick on again because, obviously, the last couple of years have been really successful.”
The 3-2 win over Athletic Club on Tuesday night drew Celtic’s pre-season to a close on a positive note. It is always difficult to glean too much from summer friendlies but Forrest is convinced the reigning champions are in good shape to launch a successful title defence.
Numerous new signings have bolstered Rodgers’ ranks, and the manager was handed a considerable boost by the return of Cameron Carter-Vickers to his starting line-up against Athletic. The USA international has been out for three months after undergoing knee surgery, but is now very much back in the fold.
“We have been back in for four of five weeks pre-season and all of the team is looking really sharp,” said Forrest. “Tuesday was a good run out for everyone as well and I think the team is definitely now ready for Saturday and the league.
“We have a big squad as well and that always really pushes everyone on.”
