It wasn’t so long ago that James Forrest’s Celtic career appeared to be all-but over. The winger was more likely to be seen wearing his club tracksuit in the director’s box of a matchday than he was to be causing havoc down the right-hand side of the Celtic attack.
How times have changed. The 32-year-old enjoyed something of an Indian Summer this season, as not only did he force his way back into Brendan Rodgers’ thinking, but into his manager’s starting XI as an indispensable member of the team that eventually clinched a league and cup double.
Now, he is hoping that he can replicate a similar pattern as he comes towards the tail end of his career as a whole. Forrest believes he still has plenty to offer Celtic, and his dream is to finish his playing days at the club where he has spent all of them so far.
The evidence of the last few months would appear to support his theory. And one of the main reasons he feels he was able to slip so seamlessly back into the Celtic team and make such a telling impact, is the same one that has him convinced he can prove a valuable asset for years still to come – he has never felt comfortable at the club.
That is, he believes, the way it should be. When he was younger, it would be experienced teammates or demanding managers who would remind him of the standards that are expected, and that there are people lining up to take his place if he does not meet them. Now, he holds himself to that high bar.
"I've always said that I've loved being here and have enjoyed working hard here,” Forrest said.
"We've always signed new players and I don't think I've ever felt comfortable being here. The amount of attacking players we sign, it keeps you going.
"I'd love to stay here as long as I can, I've always said that. I'll go and enjoy the Euros and then come back to pre-season and take it from there.
"In football you can't look too far in front. The last few months has shown that and sums it up.
"In January I hadn't been in the squad for a few months and didn't know what the future held.
"I'm just going to keep working hard and keep enjoying football."
When speaking to Forrest, you would get the impression that nothing much bothers him. He is as unassuming and as unflappable as they come.
But he does concede that the period just after Christmas this season when he couldn’t get a sniff of a matchday squad, far less a start, was a challenging one. And that he was at a crossroads in his Celtic career.
"Definitely,” he said.
“That spell in January and February…I'm still not 35 or 36 and it was the first time in my career that I've been fit enough and not been in squads.
"That was difficult because I knew if I stayed, I'd potentially be ruling myself out of playing anywhere. It was a hard one. But when I knew I was staying after January, I kept working hard every day in training and I knew I'd get that chance. Once it came, I didn't look back and helped the team.
“It's hard because you're training all week, putting it all in every session and making sure you're ready.
"I maybe had that bit more adrenaline and was a bit more buzzing because I was back involved.
"You miss playing. When you train all weekend and don't get a game at the weekend, it's hard to take."
All that is in the distant past now though, with Forrest looking forward to meeting up with the Scotland squad for the European Championships before coming back next season for a crack at Bobby Lennox’s record as the most decorated Celtic player of all time.
Forrest has discussed his place in the club’s medal table on innumerable occasions, but still, every time it is put to him, he can’t help but be a little bashful about it.
To be mentioned alongside legends such as Lennox – who he is now just two medals behind - and Billy McNeill – who he has now overtaken with his 24 honours – seems to be a ridiculous notion to him, but an honour he is very grateful for nonetheless.
"It's unbelievable,” he said.
“I don't read too much into milestones, but I always get told them, and I think it's really good. It shows that you are working hard and getting rewarded for it.
"I've really enjoyed the last couple of months. Around January and February, I wasn't making it into squads or getting any game time.
"I've been taking everything in during games in the last couple of months. It's been a pleasure."
