As evidenced by his recent impacts from the bench at Ibrox and Pittodrie, it would be a folly for anyone to assume that James Forrest is now in the final weeks of his Celtic odyssey.
The winger can still bob and weave and deliver a cross just like he did when he first came to prominence 16 years ago. The burst of pace on the flank may not be quite as explosive as it once was, but his game intelligence and experience are considerable compensations.
The man from Prestwick knows how this works, though. Set to turn 35 in July, he’s out of contract at the end of this season.
With another managerial change on the horizon, there’s a summer of upheaval ahead at Parkhead. In a business where there’s little room for sentiment, Forrest is oddly comfortable with the uncertainty he faces.
While a nail-biting title race and the small matter of tomorrow’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox currently dominate his thinking, he has given some consideration to what happens next – and more pertinently what won’t – if another contract extension with his boyhood heroes isn’t forthcoming.
‘I think, at this stage of my career, I don’t see myself playing for any other team, to be honest,’ he revealed.
James Forrest takes on Rangers defender Tuur Rommens in last week’s Ibrox derby
‘I still feel good. I still like to play football.
‘I like working hard and fighting to get a place in the team as well. I still enjoy that.
‘I think the main thing now is just to focus on every game and try to help the team and then maybe have a discussion with the club at the end of the season and see what happens then.
‘I definitely want to stay in the game to some capacity. It’s all I’ve ever done. It’s all I know. I love football.’
There will then, be no last bumper payday in the MLS or Asia or a drop down into the Championship. Forrest will finish his career where he started it.
That decision ensures that, at some stage, he’ll join that elite band of one club men. The prospect of being bracketed with legendary names such as Billy McNeill and Paul McStay sits well with him.
‘I think you see that even with managers and players right now,’ the winger said.
‘You see a lot of players that leave after two or three years at teams. I think that’s a regular theme.
Forrest has been a peripheral figure for Celtic at times but insists he still has much to offer
‘I’ve just loved being at Celtic for so long. You go on runs in cups, you’re fighting for titles, you play in Europe and I’ve just really enjoyed it.
‘I think the last couple of years especially, I’ve really taken it all in and just tried to enjoy it all, even the downs as well.
‘I know once I finish, I’ll 100 per cent miss it and the buzz of playing and being about the lads and that as well.’
No player in Celtic’s history has won more honours. The league title last season saw Forrest edge ahead of the great Bobby Lennox onto 26 major trophies. His desire to add to that pile is as strong as ever.
‘I’ve always said I’d like to stay here for as long as I can until the club tells me to go,’ he continued.
‘I think the most important thing, just the way the season’s gone, is just trying to help the club as much as I can every game.
‘We’ve still got a league and a cup we’re in as well. So, if I can play a part and help the team win something, that would be great.’
Having waited until the final league game of last season against St Mirren to score for the 16th consecutive year, he made it 17 not out by netting against Aberdeen in December.
While his appearances this season have been more fleeting, the past week has been a reminder of the permanence of his class.
Forrest celebrates after scoring a league goal against bitter rivals Rangers in 2019
Martin O’Neill’s side weren’t getting out of Ibrox with a draw last Sunday had he not floated a cross in the direction of Daizen Maeda. Ditto, Pittodrie on Wednesday as Benjamin Nygren turned home Forrest’s cross ball to claim all three points.
‘I don’t just want to train with the team and just fizzle out,’ he stressed.
‘I want to try and make an impact. The last couple of games, I’ve managed to do that.
‘And, hopefully, the remaining games of the season I can maybe do that a bit more and help the team be successful.’
Now one of the senior figures in the building, he also enjoys imparting his wisdom to those who need it.
‘I think that’s important this time of season as well,’ he said.
‘I think it’s important to keep everybody humble and level-headed and not get too carried away with one good result just because we know it’s going to go right to the wire.’
Forrest has faced Rangers no fewer than 36 times. If he features tomorrow and in the post-split game at Celtic Park, that will literally be a season’s worth of derbies.
‘I don’t think you’ll ever get bored of it,’ he said. ‘Because all your mates, your family, it feels like everyone’s either a Celtic or Rangers fan where I’m from. It’s just a massive fixture worldwide as well.
‘You saw the game last Sunday, the atmosphere was really good. I think that’s the type of games you want to be involved in and playing as well. It’s the games you remember as well. These are the ones you want to play in.’
Forrest and Callum McGregor are the only visiting players who have previously played at Ibrox with the Broomloan Road end filled by Celtic fans. For them and the manager, it’s going to feel like old times. But that’s not to say that anyone of them yet feel old.
The Celtic winger battles his way past Rangers midfielders Connor Barron and Nico Raskin
‘No, I actually don’t, I think because we have a young squad,’ he said.
‘Obviously, when you look at it, I’m the second oldest in the team.
‘But, I still feel good. I still train every day. I still want to be a part of the team.
‘We’ve got a big squad and I’m still fighting to be a part of that as well and I like that fight as well.
‘I just love playing and I know I’m maybe getting to the latter stage of my career, but I think I’m actually trying to maybe work harder to stay as long as possible and help the team just because I’ve loved doing it for years.
‘I want to try and just give everything I’ve got until I’m done.’
