5 days ago
My winner sparked crazy Celtic scenes when Hoops faced Kazakh side 12 years ago, I'd love to feel that buzz again
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JAMES FORREST fondly remembers it as one of his biggest highs.
A feeling of pure elation. A buzz he can't get from any other aspect of life.
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James Forrest celebrates against Shakhter Karagandy
Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow
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28/08/13 CELTIC V SHAKHTER KARAGANDY-JAMES FOREST SCORES THE WINNER
Credit: Keith Campbell - The Sun Glasgow
When he scored a last-gasp goal to take Celtic into the Champions League, it felt like he was feeding an ADDICTION.
And the wee man, now 34, is desperate for another fix.
His winner against Shakhtar Karagandy back in the 2013 play-off was one of the greatest nights of his career.
With Kazakhstan opposition in Kairat Almaty potentially standing in the way of Brendan Rodgers' side and a place in the league phase, Forrest would love nothing more than another hit of that same adrenaline rush.
The Hoops veteran recalled: 'It was massive.
'The fans that night were really good because we were 2-0 down from the first leg and we came back here. I remember we scored in the first half and the place just erupted.
'That's what will be good when we get our game here as well.
'The fans will push the boys because they want Champions League and everyone involved in the club will want it as well.
'It was amazing when I scored the third goal. The feeling is just hard to describe.
'But I'd say that's why you keep playing. You want more because it's addictive, the feeling you have with the players at moments like that.
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'The buzz you get from it, I don't get it with anything else. It really is addictive.
'I've had so many highs with Celtic. But when you do experience stuff like that, it does make you think, 'I want more of that'.
'You go away for pre-season, you're working five, six weeks, doing double sessions.
'You're playing in games that maybe no one's watching or having training sessions where no one's there.
'But then it all becomes worth it when you get moments like that, 100 per cent.'
It's either Kairat or Slovan Bratislava that Celts will have to beat to reach the league phase.
Kairat take a 1-0 lead to Bratislava for the second leg of the third qualifying round clash.
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Celtic manager Neil Lennon (2nd from left) celebrates with his team
Credit: Scottish News and Sport
But it would be far easier for Rodgers and his squad — logistically at least — if the Slovaks rather than the Kazakhs won through to the play-off.
Otherwise, it's an exhausting 7,000-mile round trip to the most eastern point on Uefa's map.
Forrest has made that trek a few times with club and county, and knows first hand how tough it can be.
He added: 'We've been there three times with Celtic, plus I've been there with Scotland too.
'It is difficult because you probably need to go two days before the game just to adjust because of how far away it is.
'But whatever team we get, it will be two difficult games.
"We've got enough experience with international players who know about the travel and stuff like that.
'These away games can be a bit cup style as well.
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'But then Celtic Park can be really intimidating for the visiting team too.
'I really liked the new format of the Champions League that we had last season.
'So hopefully we can get through the qualifiers, and then look to see who we get in the league phase and where we get to play.
'Every player, coach, fan, they want to be involved in the Champions League, so hopefully we can do that.'
Forrest is soaking up every minute of being a Hoops star these days as he appreciates they won't last forever.
He maybe doesn't start as many games as he once did.
But the winger knows the importance of the job he is often given to finish them.
Just like he did when he stepped off the bench to replace Yang Hyun-jun in the opening weekend Premiership win over St Mirren.
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It is a difficult place to go at the best of times
Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow
Forrest said: 'You want to keep being involved, you want to keep being part of it.
'But I feel as though a couple of years ago when they changed it and you could make five subs, it's just more known that wingers and attackers will change more.
'Having Ange Postecoglou before and the gaffer here as well the first time, they want to keep the same intensity for the full 90 minutes. It is a difficult position and we have got a lot of players who can play there.
'If you look back through the last couple of years, I don't think many players other than Daizen Maeda would play the majority of games and most of the minutes.
'But I feel as though the position has changed loads.
'Ange used to do it quite a lot as well, and the gaffer's changed it a bit here too.
'With five subs, it's been more normal that they want freshness in the legs.
'You're maybe not starting the game, but you're going to be the one that sees it out.
'You've seen it as well, the number of times you can start, play 70 minutes, not have much of the ball, not much of a game.
'Then somebody can come on for 20 minutes and score, then all everyone talks about is the one that's played the 20. I feel as though I've been in both positions.
'Over the season, you want to be a part of both.
'It's good that you have a big squad and the manager can change because we do have a lot of games.
'You want to play as much as you can but I'm getting older as well
'It's good for the coaches that they know they have got players to swap.'
Forrest has also revealed he's not given up on his Scotland career, insisting he will always be available to Steve Clarke for a call-up if required.
He added: 'I had the conversation with him last year after I went to the Euros and didn't play.
'If he needed me then he'd give me the call and it was just kind of left like that.
'So it's been left open.
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