The moment that keeps Forrest coming back for more at Celtic

The National

6 days ago

The prospect of a 7000-mile round trip to Kazakhstan for a Champions League shootout tie is one that the Celtic players would embrace if it came to it, but as those who remember previous trips to Central Asia will testify, it is one they could also do well without.
That being said, there is at least one grizzled veteran of those longest of Celtic away days that has fond memories of facing Kazakh opposition. In fact, James Forrest had one of his most cherished moments in a Celtic jersey in a Champions League qualifier against Shakhter Karagandy, albeit in the home leg at Celtic Park.
After a 2-0 defeat on their travels way back in 2013, Forrest struck at the death in Glasgow to earn his side a 3-2 aggregate victory, and send Celtic into the group stage of the competition.
(Image: Colin Mearns) The feeling he had that night is one that has never really left him, and even after all these years, it is exactly the sort of moment that keeps the 34-year-old coming back for more.
"It's hard to describe,' Forrest said.
'That's why you keep playing, you want more because it's addictive, the feeling you have with the players.
'The buzz you get from it is, I don't get it with anything else, and as I said, it is addictive.
'When you've had so many highs with Celtic as well, it's hard. Sometimes you do that and then two days later you're travelling up and you're playing another game somewhere and you need to get going again.
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'But then I think when you do experience stuff like that, it does make you think, 'I want more of that'.
'You go away pre-season, you're working five, six weeks and double sessions, and at games that maybe no-one's watching or training sessions that no-one's there, but then it all comes worth it when you get moments like that, one hundred percent.
'I always just think, just keep trying to work hard and keep trying to play for as long as I can, as long as I feel good, because I've done this since I was a wee boy.
'So, I just think try and go for it. I've got another year here, and as I said, I'm not even thinking about that now, just enjoying the games.
'It's pressure games every couple of days and it is great to be a part of."
If it is to be Almaty – and the Kazakhs hold a 1-0 advantage after hosting Slovan in the first leg of their tie last week – Forrest is well versed on how to handle it. And no matter what, he will be offering no excuses should Celtic fall short of the league phase of the competition.
"I think we've maybe been there like three or four times, and I've been there with Scotland as well,' he said.
'It is difficult because you probably need to go two days before the game just to adjust because of how far away it is.
'I think whatever team we get, it will be two difficult games. I think we've got enough experience, we've got a lot of international players, they know about the travel and stuff like that, and these away games can be like cup style in that as well.
'But then, Celtic Park is to be really intimidating for the other team as well.
'The club have got sports scientists, the physios and stuff like that; they've got people that are looking after it to give the boys the best chance.
'As I said, we've done it before, so whatever team we get, there'll be no excuses either way."
What may be driving Forrest this weekend is a desire to have a measure of revenge on Aberdeen for the way that last season ended, with the Dons denying Celtic a treble with their penalty shootout victory in the Scottish Cup Final.
This though, he says, is a fresh start.
'I think Aberdeen are one of the best teams in Scotland and I think every time you play them, there's a rivalry there anyway,' he said.
'You go to Pittodrie; every year I've been up there, the managers, coaches, fans, they all know it's a hard game, so I don't think we'll look much into the cup final.
'It's a new season and we want to get off to a good start and just keep the momentum going, and hopefully get another three points."
In the longer term, as well as hoping to do enough throughout the course of the season to earn another year at the club, Forrest still has an eye on the international scene.
(Image: Colin Mearns) The winger was desperately disappointed not to have seen any game time at all last summer during the European Championships, but he isn't closing the door on crowning his career with an appearance at next year's World Cup.
"I spoke to Steve Clarke a couple of times at the start of last season, and then I got a really bad injury in December for a few months,' he said.
'The main thing for me has always been making sure I'm playing well for Celtic and then if Scotland came along, great.
'But no, I've not spoken to him this season, so as I said, I just want to do well for Celtic in the games and then we'll just kind of see from there.
"I had the conversation with him last year, it was a good one, and because it was after I went to the Euros and didn't play, it was if he needed me, then he'd give me the call and it was just kind of left like that.
'So as I said, it's always kind of open and I would never shut the door. I think any player, you want to play in the top competitions and you want to play Champions League, you want to play for your national team.'
*James Forrest was speaking at Celtic's annual 'Touching the Trophies' experience, where season ticket holders with sensory impairments are given the opportunity to come to Celtic Park and physically engage with the club's silverware.